New-York tribune., 1909-02-14
KING AS PEACEMAKER
"A TRIUMPH At BERLIN.
No0oI Proposals-Parliamenr Ses'
s;on-Post for Mr. Churchill.
rsp.cs.I By French csbi. TO The Tr'eans1

rsp.cs.l BY French Cable 20 The Trfeunel
F,o-so,. Feb i3-The return OF ths hlhs anu
Queen tonight frorn Berlin MARKS ~ ~an"tne -
,,rnrh OF pacific diplomacy. The agreement De-
+-een Germany and France over Morocco mas
dssneilrd the old-fashioned notion that better
-sla,leus hetweer two countries provoke the re-
sentiment of Jealous rivals Formerly the III VIII
between France and England was a herman
dlplouletic asset but the entente between theni'
instead Of being source OF jealousy. is now
practical means OF bringing Germany ana
France together.
The radical press not satisfied with TINS strlA-
ing demonstration Of the truth that the paclnc
diplomacy of the present reign is a vested in
sersst from which all nations derive material
benefit IS clarnoring for an Anslo-Gerrnan
agreement restricting naval construction. Inc
Nation prints long leader to-day along these
lines calling for a reduction In the naval esu-
mates rather than q Nasteful policy OF ouhding
six Dreadnoughts annually against America ana
Germany. Mr. Asquith is committed so strongly
90 tbs Tasiatensncs CT & fwe-power standard,
with 10 per cent added. that repudiation OF
this pledge seems unlikely.
Desperate as is the plight Of the Chancellor Of
the Exchecuer. four Dreadnoughts might be suo-
Efituted for six IL the two-nation standard were
modified by the exclusion Of America and Japan
from the comparative exhibits. This might be a
popular decision. since the absurdity of running
annually on the fantastic assumption that
America and Germany may form coalition
against IL is plain. The Prime Minister. apart
from the difficulty Of explaining away ex-
rlicit pledge Is forced consider the opinion of
the majority Of his associates. and this does not
favor a sacrifice Of national defences for the
sake Of easing up the financial situation and
helping along social reform. David Lloyd
George viii be left TO muddle through as best
he can.
The session OF Parliament opening Tues
dsy promises 10 be unusually Gull until the
budget speech IS reached after Easter that viii
settle the question whether general elections are
likely "a occur this year. The legislation pro-
possis in the Kings speech will not be regarded
seriously. The budget will be the main issue Of
the session
The most interesting rumor current on the eve
of TIE session credits Winston Spencer Churchill
with an eager desire to become the first Gov
ernor General IF the new federation in South
Africa If he succeeds Lord Selborne he viii
nave q lucrative and SNOWY Office while the lib
eral party is recruiting it's exhausted energies
against the opposition benches. war cor
respondent who escaped from a Boer prison will
be q picturesque figure the Governor General
Of Confederated South Africa under the British
Crown. Those close 70 the Prime Minister as
sert that the appointment will probably be made
in due time.
King Edward after opening Parliament. is not
likely to remain in England more than three
weeks A visit 10 Biarritz will be followed by a
cruise in the Mediterranean. Lord and Lady
Gransrc. returning from Paris for the state
function, are already in their own house, and
viii be entertained tomorrow by the Cavendst-
BentineHs. the American Ambassador being
among the guests at the dinner.
Speaker Lcwtter is IN residence at West
rnir=ster tonight after e prolonged vacation In
Switzerland A. ]. Balfour is returning from
Biarritz greatly improved IN health. The usual
dinners and receptions will take place on the eve
Of the session Mrs. McKenna is the chief LIB
eral hostess al Admiralty House, and the main
muster of the Unionists VIII take place at Lord
Londcnderry's IN Fs