Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23
London Comment on Recent
Meeting of Sovereigns.
SOCIAL WALKS DESERTED
Unusual Number of Vacant Houses
in the Metropolis.
MANY ON THE GROUSE M00Rs
Gloomy Forebodings for Winter
Pauperism Increasing-Gossip
About American Fleet.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence OF Inc Star
LONDON, August Is. 1905
For the third time in twelve months the
king and the kaiser have been in confer
ence, and those who love to play at high
politics have been inventing weird dreams
as to the business before the monarchs.
Whatever may have been the uppermost
subject of Observation-Disclosures re-
lations or the reduction of ornaments
it cannot be said that the good under
standing ardently worked for by earnest
people on both sides of the water has
come appreciably nearer.
International courtesies have been law
ishly cultivated on both sides of the
North sea- and the two peoples have been
brought into friendly intercourse in a
score of ways. AS a result there is no
doubt that a large body Of enlightened
opinion here and in Germany has devel-
oped on the side of mutual friendship
and to that extent the efforts of the peace
makers have borne good fruit. But be-
tween the two nations as a whole the re-
1ations are not SO cordial as might be de-
sired. The element of mutual suspicion
and distrust is scarcely less powerful
than before. Nothing apparently can dis
pei the impression existing in the minds
of many Germans that the aim OF the
British policy is the isolation of Germany.
Even Sir Edward Grey's emphatic state
ment the other day, though satisfactory
to the German government, has not con-
WINGED the fatherland that the British are
not in league with France and Russia
against it. Even more mischievous than
this deluSion is the work of the naval
Scaremongers in both countries.
The balance of power in the North sea
is unquestionably the most delicate and
the most disturbing element in the situa-
tion. 1t must remain SO as long as the
unlimited c0mnatiti0n in
ton continues, and peace advocates ear
nestly desire that the two governments
should arrive at a solid understanding as
to their ship building programs This
would remove the only real obstacle to
future good will. and with that out Of the
way lasting European peace seems as
sured.
A story now going the rounds in court
certain peer who has acquired some no
toriety on account Of his aggressively
anti-German views declared that minis
ters who failed to perceive the drift of
war are traitors to the empire. This or
similar outburst came to the ears of the
king. "Ah.'' exclaimed his majesty,
what will he do to me now that I am
going to Kronberg? I suppose he will
cut me after denouncing me as disloyal."
A Remarkable Change.
During the past fortnight the West End
has undergone a remarkable change.
The mansions Of the wealthy are closed,
and Hyde Park. which presents such an
animated scene during the height Of the
season. Is now practically deserted. and
a mounted police constable has Rotten
Row" all to himself. In Kensington
Gardens the army of laxative nurse
maids, with their perambulators anu
baby charges, many Of these latter be-
ing scions OF noble houses, have van
ished from the beautiful Flower walk"
Clubland. too, bounded by Pail Mall, st.
James street, Piccadilly and the lower
part Of Regent street. has undergone q
striking change Already a dozen clubs
are closed for the annual cleaning down
and decorations and as many more will
close between now and the beginning of
September.
West End house agents declare that
there are no fewer than two thousand
empty houses in Mayfair and Belgravia.
For the letting of valuable houses in the
West End the recent London season has
been the worst on record. Ny inform
ants attribute this very largely to the
influence of the motor car and the
growth Of the weekend habit. Week
ends are now so regularly spent out of
town that many people who have been
used to renting town house find 1t more
economical to stay during the week at
f1rst-class hotel and motor down to the
country for the weekend. Be that the