Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-19
WANT TO FIGHT AMERICA
London Journals Still Trying to
Arouse Hostile Feelings.
Possibilities of War With France
Over Egypt and the Fisheries.
Concessions Made by Brazil to Secure
the Recognition OF France.

LONDON, June 16.-The attempt of the
London Times and Standard to arouse a
hostile feeling towatd the United States on
the seal fishery question is only adding to
the disgust and alarm with which public
opinion in England regards the recent
course of the tory government The
Standard, like the Times, is a thick-and-
thin supporter of the Salisbury administra
ton, and its utterances are doubtless in
tended as feelers for popular sentiment.
So far the two papers stand without an ally
in their threatening attitude toward the
United States. They undoubtedly voice the
inner prejudices of a class influential In the
government circles. The landed aristoc-
racy, who form the backbone of English
conservatism, would not object to an
American war; and the farmers who pay
rent to the aristocracy would be benefited
by the exclusion of American meat and
produce. These only could derive much
advantage from struggle that would
close British ports to the United States.
On the other hand, the interests of the
active moneyed and of the industrial class
es are all bound up with peace. 1t is es-
timated that the annual income from Brit
ish capital invested in the United
states, leaving out of account the profits of
trade and commerce, is considerably in ex-
cess Of 91OO, 900, 900. Besides theresare vast
commercial interests that would be par
alyzed by war, and the awful distress in
Lancashire consequent on the lack OF cot
ton or manufacturing purposes during the
American civil war, would not compare
with the misery that might now follow an
embargo on American raw material for
British manufacturers. Then, most i'm
portant of all, the
Absence of American Food Products
would mean untold distress for the work
ing classes. The Salisbury government is
In such political straits at present that no
utterance, however Incorporate, can do it
much harm, and foreign war might prove
a relief from an lntolerable situation. But
there is no desire for conflict with Amer Ca
while the relations with France are in
strained and uncertain condition. The
British government would like to bring
the Newfoundland difficulty to terminal
ton by buying the rights now held by
France under ancient treaties, and thus
quoting the colonlsts and getting rid
forever of a question that is becoming
more vexatious with years. But France
foundland while England maintains the oc
CupdHy u LSypu' w I'LL Illc Dt1i1ou UIOOpo
out Of Egypt and France given free
rain in northern Africa, the Newfound-
land tempest would soon be succeeded by
calm. But it would be entirely against
tory traditions to abandon the British
hold on Egypt, while the continuation of
French interference in the fisheries of the
Newfoundland shore must excite to blaze
the smouldering resentment of the people
of that island, who have in this matter
the full sympathy of their brethren
throughout British North America.
The luminosity between England and
France is every day growing more bitter
on these and other questions. and French
war is more than possible. The cordial re-
lations that now exist between Great Brit
ain and Germany Indicate that, in such an
event. the English would not be without
continental allies. 1t would be one of the
curiosities of history in the cause which
kindled European war long before the
American revolution-the assertion of
French claims on the American continent
should again be the pretext for a strug
gle that would involve the great powers of
Europe.