The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-10
EnglsnG's Attitude Toward Chill.

There seems to be popular impression
that the interest and inclination OF Great
Britain are to foment the present trouble
between Chill aud the United States. even
at the risk Of its breaking into open war.
This impression is perhaps confirmed by
the Valparaiso correspondence Of the Lon
+. don Times. which suggests that the British
. residents III that port may be egging on
the Chilians to a dangerous course. Then
there is the ever-present consideration of
sstlle commercial rivalry Of Great Britain
tanh the United States In South America.
;Frtb ernore. 1t Is natural to surmise that
sthe English may hope that war with Chill
would divert American aggressiveness from
the Behring Sea controversy and from all
= AQdon OF aDnexing Canada
This. however, Ia but superficial view.
On the contrary. the desire and purpose Of
England to prevent hostilities between
Chilli and the United States are clearly sug-
gested In tho acts of Sir JULIAN PAuNcE-
FoTR at Washington and Of MIR. KENNEDY
at Santiago.
There are potent reasons why England
should not wish the United States to make
war upon Chilli. Such u war would be GER
tain to develop our naval power and coast
defences effectively and rapidly. Appro-
priations for these purposes would be un-
stinted. and however soon the war might
end. It would find a prodigious work pro-
vided for and going Oh In the construction
bf battle ships the fabrication OF guns. and
: the ample protection Of every important
harbor on our coasts by forts. hotillas. and
Z submarine appliances. With the questions
of Canadian annexation. Behring Sea.
the Nova Scotia and Newfoundland fisher
les. and the Sandwich Islands still unset
tied and some Of them in al acute stage. 1t
would be o most short-sighted policy on
=. the part Of Great Britain to stimulate the
war-maklng capacities OF this country.
During the last twenty years the utter de-
fencelessneSs Of our coasts and the lack of
Q modern navy have formed a valuable
z source Of reliance in her diplomatic contro-
s-versiSs with the United States. This ad-
vantage she will not deliberately forego
through any foolish desire to make mis-
chief A war between Chill and the United
States. whether short or long. could have
but one ending. Then the United States
would&eva become more serious opponent
Tor EAnpd to face in her own disputes.
! II wo1A also be short-sighted in Lord
6ALDDuny to permit the United States. II
b could prevent 1t, to become any more
Influential than now with tho South
American republics. And 1t is clear that. at
4he close OF q war with Chill. the United
tstes would be very influential In South
America. whether for trade or politics.
X, England must also view with some dis
favor the prospect that the most aggressive
OF the South American republics should
I, have its resources curtailed. and perhaps
even Its geographical area lessened; for ono
clearly possible result Of such war would
bs the restoration Of the nitrate region to
Peru, after our country had reimbursed
itself from the revenues Of that region for
= its war expenses.
:, British commercial interests would also
!. quickly take alarm at the prospect Of hav-
4 ing their Gillian trade completely stopped
10r period which might DO six months or
two years. Chilli. having once entered upon
the war. would mako desperate efforts:
and its great distance from the United
States. with other elements in the contest.
might prolong hostilities and the conso-
0uent suspension OF trade.
The Influence Of English statesmen IN the