The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-02-27
From the ROchesier IN. " Dem and Chronicle
An Anglo American Alliance.

1t will be that the Hon. Y. f.
Forster, in a speech delivered in New York on the
l4th ult.. advocated a practical alliance between
the TWO great Englisb-speaking peoples. Mr..
Forster spoke as an individual, and his language
obtained no further attention than that due to a
very sensible man and a devoted friend 10 both
England and America. As one OF the leaders of a
very considerable party, his sentiments were as
sumed as exponential of the tenor of the Liberals,
and as such. indirectly, were received and com
mented upon with pretty general satisfaction by
the American press. In a Tribune of recent date.
Mr.. George W. Smalley very skillfully describes
the effect produced in England by the Forster
speech. He thinks the practical cast Of Mr.. Fors-
ter's mind, his interest in and concern for the
things OF to-day, rather than OF those of day after
tomorrow. is fully appreciated by the English
people, and the general accuracy Of his views, and
sagacity OF his utterances, are uniformly go thor
oughly verified by events. that when be takes the
affirmative OF any proposition, forthwith il Is pre-
sumed that its advantages more than outweigh its
disadvantages. On this account the speech is re-
ceived with favor, and considered with candor.
Mr.. Smalley very truly says the new is repellant
to the English mind, the converse. however. being
the American characteristic hence the English
man will the more cautiously receive, and still
more cautiously adopt, a political, or social, or
religious innovation.
The general tone of the British press is that.
while such an alliance could not have been posi-
bic before the Geneva arbitration conference. or In
ante-bellum times. it is now desirable. especially
to England. and by no means impossible. The
London Times supports the idea, in essence /;
afirms that the two peoples are more in accord
than they willingly admit declares that a = war
between England and the United States would be
a simple outrage on Humanity ~ and then Yields
very considerable assent to the idea OF Mr.. Fors-
ter's proposition when it says we could have
chosen no one better fitted than Mr.. Forster 10 be
the bearer both ways of a friendly message, or
more entitled to be listened to with respect when
he delivers it." This is very generous of the Times.
and coming from the source il does is particularly
significant.
The London Telegraph says the honesty aud
soundness OF the speech will give it weight and
careful consideration and that the substantial
unity of the two nations is the common sentiment
of his most Intelligent c~ountrymen.
The conservative Spectator does not think. not
withstanding the radical differences in the political
and social regime, of the two countries. that such
an alliance would receive serious disfavor. And
we think the key to the whole matter is presented
by the Spectator, and the only probable obstacle to
its speedy contamination, when it says the United
States does not feel the political necessity of such
a scheme. England. with her vast dependencies
would have everything to gain, but, asks, the
Spectator. what has England TO offer America in
returnT An answer to this practical question in
wolves almost the entire argument OF the advocates
of international peace, and international arbitra-
ton. What has England to offer America in re-
turnf In a purely commercial light we might con-
Jure up possible recompenses considered from an
intellectual standpoint we might enlarge on the
intricacies of mutual copyright laws politically
and morally considered, and the reciprocity is in
stantly and lucidly seem. The alliance of England
and America would be the political unifcation OF
one-half the world against the other half. What
possibilities would not accrue from such a COM
pact? There are details in such a scheme that are
perplexing. America. as the Spectator so aptly
observes, sees little necessity for such a conserva-
ton OF International influence and energy. but the
thought of many OF her ablest statesmen. inrists.
diplomats and scholars is running out in the direc-
ton OF Peace on earth. good will 10 men," 1t is
a grand humanitarian idea, and could the influence
OF Eogland and America be conciliated in its favor,
and a close practical. even if unwritten, compact
entered into by these two powers. the very 4" gates
of bell" itself could not prevail against them.
The genius of the age demands segregation and
essential unifcation a segregation of diverse ele-
ments, a coalescing Of similarities. Above the
equator We see four great clans gathering together,
the form of speech constituting the bond of union
the Scandinavians, the Germans the Latins and
the English.
We are glad Mr.. Forster has thus effectively
directed the attention of both countries TO this
commendable scheme. Though perhaps not now
apparent, the near future will produce a general
conviction that mutual interests will be best and
only conserved by an alliance between America
and England. We need not trouble ourselves
about exact reciprocity we may not succeed in
exchanging value for value but in coming to-
gether under such a compact, we shall re-establish
the fraternity which flows from a common ancestry
restore the harmony which an illstarred jealousy
and a conflict OF interest has Interrupted secure
from the very source of power itself such political
potency as will vest in the English tongue suprem-
acy over the very winds and the sea of human
stTifes, inspiring in the world an establishment
kindred to that which filed the breasts of the terri
fed mariners when the Son of Man babe the ele-
ments of that tempestuous sea Of Palestine be still.