The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-15
ENGLAND is 4 MEDDLER.
Policy of interference Pursued for
500 Years.
Birth Of National Pride and What 1t
Has Led to During Sew
era1 Centuries.

The 10th Of July, 1916, was one of the
most notable dates in the history of the
English people, for on that day 10000
English archers, commanded by Ed
ward III. in person, landed on the coast
of France near Cape La Hague, to prose-
cute the policy of meddling in foreign
affairs, policy which from that day to
this has never been lost to view by the
English Government Seen to-day In
the Interference with Japan, China and
Afghanistan. it is the same policy that
led Edward forth on the expedition that
was ended by the glorious victory OF
Greasy, which. but for series of fortu-
nate Academia. might have proven the
most inglorious of defeats. The med
ding interference with the affairs of for
eign nations began as soon az England
was itself distinct people. Edward as
sumed the title of King of France in 1887.
and three years later he placed the arms
of France with his own, distinctly pro-
Tossing, however, to his people that the
claim would in no wise ever subject
them to the rule of the King of France in
case of q change of dynasties. Nearly all
traces Of the Norman conquest had by
and SO great growth made by the Eng
lish language that it was the common
speech Of men on the island, and in 1862,
by royal edict, it was made the language
not only of the courts of justice, but OF
all official documents, that, up to this
time. had been in either Norman, French
or Latin. In other words, the English
national character had become established
IS such, and in order to demonstrate the
fact, an attempt was Immediately begun,
on shadowy royal claim, to conquer the
kingdom Of rance.
BIRTH OF NATIONAL PRIDE.
For three hundred years, says the st.
Louis Globe Democrat, the English had
been q subject people, while their island
was regarded by the French Kings as a
conquered province, the long line of rulers
from William l. TO Edward III. appar-
emily considering it as of importance only
in regard to the money, supplies and men
1t could furnish for the continental wars.
The Norman Kings despised the English,
and took no pains TO conceal the contempt
they felt. Many of them made their
homes on the continent, and visited the
island only at long intervals. Richard
Coeur de Lion spent only six months of
his ten years reign in England, while
several Others were almost as chary OF
their visits, leaving the continent with
reluctance, and going back to it after the
short stay with the pleasurable feeling
always experienced by return to we'll
beloved home. The English regarded
their Kings as foreigners, and hated them,
not only as such, but, also as the worst of
oppressors. But in the hundred years
preceding the accession of Edward III.
the Normans had vanished in the mass of
the English people, aud spirit OF ma
tional pride had sprung up. The French
OF that day called Edward ''the WOOL
grower" and the English, regarding the
term as an insult not only to the King,
who was one of themselves, but to the
national character and prevailing indus
try, burned to ayenge it. The claim of
Edward to the French throne was as in
substantial as many of the claims of SIM
liar nature made al that day, and, good or
bad, IL was enough Tor the English, who
enthusiastically followed their King to the
continent, and in an effort to assert his
title to the crown began the war that
lasted for hundred years. and left both
countries SO shattered and Frustrated by
the struggle that it was a century more
before either fully recovered.
THE RESULT.
The result of this first attempt at inter-
meddling was, for time, apparently
complete success. The prowess of the
English army 81 Cressy, Poictiers and
Agincourt, victories that were won by the
Il
airy, by the yoemen over the aristocracy,
led the English TO oyerestimate their own
abilities, while the browning of their
King, Henry VI. at Paris appeared to
obliterate all hope that the French might
have entertained Of maintaining an indie
pendent government. In word, Eng
land had conquered France, as France.
three hundred years before conquered
England. Then came that episode of
Joan of Arc, and most wonderful history
told in history, which made lightning
like change in the whole appearance of
affairs. In December, 1430, Henry VI.
was solemnly crowned in the french
capital while the claimant of the French
throne had not been crowned, and his au-
thority was recognized over a territory
not greater than two or three OF the pres
ent departments Of this Republic. In
year from the time of Henry's corona
ton the English had been beaten on a
dozen fields, compelled to evacuate q
score OF fortified cities, and OF all the
conquests that had been made in France
during the long and bloody war only
Calais remained. The first effort at med
ding resulted disastrousIy to the English
crown and people, but by that time the
habit of attending 10 other peoples bust
ness had become fixed in the English
character, and only awaited al opportu-
nifty to be again displayed. 1t did not
come soon, for the Wars of the Roses
came on. lasting from 1455 TO 147l and
these gave the nobility and rival claim
ants to the throne all they cared to attend
to for considerable period of time.
BALANCE OF POWER IDEA.
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