The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-03-20
I OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Ett
That "Anglo-Saxon Alliance"

The suggestion made by w. E. Forster, the dis
tinguished English statesman. in his speech at the
Union League Club reception In the city Of New
York, has something Sastaand imposing In It. which
appeals powerfully to the imagination. The idea Of
q great Anglo-Saxon alliance or confederation be-
tween Great Britain, the United States and all the
Englsh-speaking peoples on the face Of the globe may
be UtOpian and incapable OF realization. but Is never
thcless grand in conception, and, could n be actually
consummated in such a way as to secure harmony Of
feeling and cooperation Of action among nil The
members, would probably prove a blessing 20 the
world. When Mr.. Forster delivered his address he
could hardly have expected that the suggestion thus
thrown cut on a social occasion, in 40 apparently
of-hand manner, would call forth such general COM
raent and ~ctStcisrn as il has been the subject Of in
the press on both sides of the Atlantic. And fit
were not for the fact that the speaker enjoys the rep
utation Of being one of the most prsctioal OF Epglish-
men, and of fifty representing that passion for
utility" which Emerson says 10 " the bias Of the
nations !" bis remarks in regard 20 tho grand alli-
anoe, = might be taken as ohe Of fhoss eraoefuI
rhetoficAt lhourishes IN which the amiAbIs Feelings
inspired by mutually agreeable social intercourse
often crops out when speech-muking IL one Of the
g exercises = Of the occasion. As IL De-, We are sat-
is6ed that Mr.. Forster was entirely serious in his
suggestion, and we think it quite probable that the
idea is one thatlhas long occupied his mind. The
high position he occupies as a public man and tho
greater future as an influential statesman that seems
to await him have undoubtedly had the eject Of
drawing a much larger share OF attention to the SUBJ
ject than a similar utberance by a less distinguished
person would have commanded. And wherher or
not such an alliance Is 10 be regarded. in view Of all
the difficulties in the way. as a practical thing. Il 10
at any rate gratifying 10 observe in how friendly and
cordial a spirit the matter has been discussed by
leading journals Of both countries. The London
Times, the Telegraph and the yVsgs speak favorably
of the project. The Spectator slludes to it in the
same spirit. but lie inclined to doubt its feasibility.
The Standard, q Tory organ. and The ISafardas Re-
eiews throw cold water upon IL, as might have been
e1pected-the latter, of course. INDUCING in some
sneers both at the United States and
Mr. Forster. The Eeonomit thinks that a serious
obstacle to any such project is to be found in the fact
that the United States SavOrs a protective policy, aud
Slso expresses the opinion that, even if practicable,
would be dangerous and hence sESesirabls, and
adds
An Anglo-Saxon League would establish a cosmo-
politan tyranny No race is G. to be trusted with
irresponsible and uncohtrolled power over other and
weaker races; least above all a race like our own,
which. in spite Of all its splendid qualities, is, In its
relation totypes Of humanity which diner from IL,
coarse, domineedng, and often cruel.
On this side Of the water the proposed " League"
for obvious reasons met with less favor, though
{ has been spoken Of in terms Of approval by the
York Tribune and Mr.. Bryant's EpsnraR PoE.
The fact is, it Ia net obvious what advantages the
United States could derive from such an alliance.
ISOLATED IS we are from the neighborkood Of other
great powers. we are equal to any emergency that is
ikely to arise, and We experience no need Of being
from abroad. England, on the other
'and, ~perplexed by grave domestic problems il not
Ictually menaced by domestic perils, and bampered
her dependencies, might feel il for her interest to
inter- into such an arrangement. Complications are
liable to arise at any moment which win endADger
Ter Eastern possessions or embroil her with her con-
mental n~eighbors. Upon the whole, we are inclined
agree with the Ec0noHist, that the project is not
and that 80 far as the United States are con-
erned it is not desirable. Let US cultivate close
riendly relations with England, and avoid by all
onorable means a rupture with her as one Of the
reatest calamities that could befall either nation.
Tut anything that could be properly termed a
league" or an +" alliance anything beyond an
implied and ~unwrittOn good Undertaking is, we
eel confident, quite out Of the question in the present
onditiOn of human aHairs.-S. r. CAyonieis.
L L.-