New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-10
SCANDALS IN ENGLAND
Sir Robert Anderson Stirs Up an
Irish Hornet Nest.
THE ROKEBY VENUS" CASE
James Greig Tells of Proof That
Painting is Not Velasquez
A Radical Bishop.

- anle 70 TIC tribune.
Ilondon. April 9-with an cast wind
Blowing raw. the revival OF old oontro-
versies helps 20 keep contentious peo-
re warm. Sly Robert Anderson has
brought a storm about his head by re-
marking casually in the course OF
chapter Of his "reminiscences that he Was
the authority Of The Times's" series Of
articles on ParneHism and crime which
led 10 the famous commission, the ac-
ouittal Of the Nationalist members Of
Parliament and the suicide Of Pigott.
Columns are printed about Pigott l.
Caron and byEolie Fenians. and the
Irish members VIII have a field day on
Monday IN reviving the libel scandal
and announcing the former adviser of
the Home Office and head Of criminal
investigation al scotland Yard for vio-
iating as a journalist the rules OF the
Civil Service and placing the resources
cf the detective Office al the disposal of
''The Times"
Sir Robert thoroughly enjoys the hub
hub which he has caused. 1t has made
me feel ten years younger" he ex-
claimed. when The Tribune's correspOn-
cent attempted 10 rally him on his sud
den access OF notoriety. Certainly it is
Iiveljer campaigning that the reforma-
zion Of criminal law ana the exposure Of
the leaders Of higher criticism OF the
Bible. which have been his favorite oc-
cupstfons since his retirement from
Scotland Yard.
The appointment Of an Advanced
ChureBman as successor TO Bishop King
* Lincoln has caused more distress
among Tory churchmen than 10 the
EvengeIicals There Is less talk about
saoerdotslism than there was when Mr..
Gladstone nominated Dr. King, but much
more about extreme politics Canon
Hicks, the Bishop-elect. is a thorough
going Radical. IN sympathy with the
labor movement. lie IS even described
ny excited Tories as a Socialist like
Kerr Hsrdie. AS the Bishops OF Biz
mtnghaIn and Truro arc classed with
him as Socialist prelates. he will not
have a lonesome feeling on the episco-
pal bench.
These controversies are mild zephyrs
IA comparison with the storm raised by
James Greig, the art critic OF The
Morning Post" in announcing the dis
covery OF the cipher signature Of Juan
Bautista del Mao on the Rokeby
Venus" for which f45Oo0 was paid as
an authentic Nelasuuez The director OF
the National Gallery, after taking of
tho glass. has obtained q certificate from
eight experts that there is no signature
visible. This would be more valuable
g. they were not the experts primarily
responsible FOR the purchase Of the pict-
are at an enormous price.
Meanwhile. Sir William Richmond and
scoues OF collectors and artists have con-
6emred the unfortunate dancing girl as
badly drawn. not in color, twisted cut
~ shape. and. as an alleged Nelssquez.
utterly impossible James Greig. I'M
convinced by the magnifying glasses "
the eight experts. has secured to-day in
n strong light. with long exposure. pho
tographs of the corner OF the canvas.
with which he expects 10 prove his case.
His plates may not silence him il there
lie no cipher visible. for there are rnezZO-
cravures and German prints with marks
resembling "B. NJ" or "R. ~" which
may stand for Bautista NazO or Ra-
rhael Mengs and imply that the canvas
siss been tempered with. The eclipse
O. Venus" however Is only partial II
cannot. Ice total eclipse when the doc
pmentary evidence Of the authenticity
q the work as Telasquez is fairly
complete
Professor LoWelTs lecture before the
Royal Institution on the Marian canals
has not convinced Dr. a. r. Wallace.
Who fouts the idea that there are any
peopled planets anywhere IN the UNI
verse except the earth. nor has il con-
verted other scientific agnostics respect
tnc the existence Of life on Mars. but
Sir Robert Ball and other men Of sci
ence who were present could not say