New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-03
ENGLISH ATTITUDE TOW
ARD DISARMAMENT.
Especial by French Gable to The Tribunel
copyright. 1907. by The Tribune Association

London. March 2.-The liberal government
is not counting popularity in Pumping heavily
for the peace congress. The Prime Minister
writes about Il with CHEEKY optimism in '"The
National Review" which is pulsating with new
life under the direction OF H. w. Massingham'
sincere radical with faith in progressive policies
There IS a lack of public faith in disarmament
when the German Emperor considers 1t outside
the range OF practical politics. but the govern
ment Is bent upon setting an example which
viii force the delegates TO take UP the subject.
The military and naval estimates show together
reductions OF s20,OoO.OO0 In expenditures for
the lighting services, although a smaller amount
IS available for swelling the surplus, owing to
Mr.. AsQuitll's honesty IN insisting that loans
must be avoided and the Admiralty bills paid
when the work is done. There is retrenchment
IN both services. with fewer battalions in the
regular army and thousand sailors of the pay
roll OF the navy. The British delegation viii
enter the Hague Congress with clean hands,
but the Liberals need a stronger tonic after the
disastrous Brigg election than anybody has yet
offered from the front OF the government bench.
Mr.. Haldanes scheme for a national army has
the fascination of a coherent system. but it is
more or less speculative He doubles the field
force available for immediate mobilization by
recruiting a special contingent Of 7S,5OO men on
the militia basis. Yet when he amalgamates
the auxiliary forces as territorial army he
virtually degrades and destroys the oldtime
militia which did a useful work in the Boer
war The reductions in naval estimates involve
the shrinkage of new construction and expose
the government experts TO criticism. The Pas
sive Resisters' bill satisfies the Nonconformists
but the Progressives complain that 1t ought not
10 have been introduced until the London cleo
tions were over since 1t has irritated the Roman
Catholic and Irish voters.
END OF 4 HOT CANVASS.
The local canvass closing with to-day's cleo
ton has been hotly contested. The Progress
sives. after ruling the metropolis for eighteen
years have been forced 20 fight for every seat
and have made strenuous efforts to rally the
working classes against the Municipal Reform
ers. They have been charged with adding $780,
600 600 10 the London debt. overwhelming house.
holders with taxation driving industries away
multiplying paupers, organizing the electric trust
and svsternatizing socialism They. IN turn, have
accused the Municipal Reformers Of being bribed
/ bv rnonopolies and trusts and supported by the
worst agencies Of crime intemperance and Inn
morality Never has there been canvass SO
unrestrained in partisan defamation. The Mu-
nicipaI Reformers, even by gaining control OF the
London County Council. could hardly hope TO
effect a material reduction in taxation but they
could obstruct manipulation Of electric power
and the taxation OF ground rents. which the Alo-
eral majority in Parliament was prepared TO sane
ton II the Progressives should win a sweeping
victory The essential facts have been Cd
secured by false issues and partisan abuse on
both sides until New York under Tammany rule
has doomed Up a model Of civic purity IN
comparison with staid old London The eQuah-
zatlon OF local taxation Is favored by both par
lies, but the Municipal Reformers are opposed
| TO the costly scheme OF public ownership OF
electric light and power and other services The
Progresgives win retain control OF the council
unless they lose tWenty-seven seats
FLOWERS At SECOND COURT.
The small and early season has ended
| with the second court which, Ike the precsd-
! ting one, had a profuse display Of flowers
/ The debutantes favored nnes-of-the-valley.
! while the married women wore or carried IN
j their hands orchids Madonna lilies amaryllis
and roses. The royal circle was not large. and
prominent diplomats were absent. but general
society was well represented. The display OF
| crown plate was as brilliant as ever. and the
music better than usual. The King. having
| held his last council for two months and cleared
/ away the arrears OF business. is ready for
| Biarr1tz. and the Queen for her Journey north
ward The Prince OF Wales viii remain at
| Marlborough House until Easter. He Is looking
! for a larger country residence than York Cot
! tage which viii revert to its original state as
| bachelor quarters for 6andringham. The King
/ has planned the enlargement OF Sandringham.
and the work will speedily be undertaken.
r.. REID GOES To FRANCE.
The American Ambassador started to-day
with his private secretary. Lydig Hoyt. for
France, carrying out his original plan OF being
away from London during March. He VIII
spend few days in Tours before going to
| Arcachon. where the pine forests are benenclai
10 patients suffering from bronchial trouble.
! He will stay at BiarrItz few weeks before re-
| turning TO London. The Ambassador is con-
! valescing favorably. His color is good, his
! voice strong and his American friends have no
cause for alarm This is the opinion OF Secre-
| tary Carter, who was at the station TO see him
| of.
| M Chamberlain's departure for the South OF
! France is a proof that he IS better, but unusual
| precautions were taken TO conceal his journey
| until he was out of London. Mrs. Chamberlain.
| who has persisted In declaring that he has moth
ing but govt, repeats her assurance that he is
better in every respect. Lord ROsebery is mend
ing satisfactorily. The Prime Minister has
| completely recovered his health and spirits and
is dining out freely. His declaration that he
win vote for the woman suffrage bill Is fresh
proof OF his amiability. Mr.. Balfour VIII join
him In the same division OF the lobby, While the
followers OF both leaders vote as they please.
Mr.. RalSour's friends say that the Brtgg cleo
ton with the triumph OF an unoompromising
Chamberlain man. has deeply impressed him
with the expediency OF moro decisive leadership
On the direction OF tariff reform. The UntonistE
/