The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-07
IsTHFRETO EANOTHER OUTBREAK
nE II>G0ISM


try that the Washington correspondent of
the London Daily Chronicle asserts that
official correspondence is about 20 be sub
mitted to Congress which includes dis
patch sent by Secretary Sherman to Am
bassador Hay, dated May 10th for sub
mission to Lord Salisbury that insinuates
that England has been guilty Of bad faith
in carrying out the terms of the Paris
seal award. The correspondent says:
''rhere is no doubt that the publication
OF this dispatch will cause resentment IN
England. 1t was really the work Of Mr.
Foster and Mr. Hamlin jointly. / learn
that the administration is very proud OF
the dispatch and believe it will be receiv-
ed in the United States with the same
popular approval as greeted Mr.. Olney's
Venezuela dispatch. Lord Salisbury has
not yet replied.
A later dispatch Of the same series com
plains that while America maintained a
fleet Of five vessels to prevent illegal seal
ing in Boring Sea. England has only two
one being a mere yacht.
We are left to infer therefore, that If
a charge of bad faith has been made
against Great Britain by our State De
partment. it rests for proof upon the fact
that England has only kept this number
OF ships in Boring Sea TO prevent depre-
dations upon the seals, while we have
kept there the larger number.
This whole matter may be no more than
a newspaper canard. though 1t Is stated
with so much particularly of detail as TO
raise a strong inference that there Is
really some substance in it. For some
time rumors have been circulating that
Mr.. Sherman was becoming senile. We
paid no attention to these rumors and
looked upon them as no more than the
gossip of newsmongers. But, If he has
really made a charge of bad faith upon
England with this as the evidence TO sup
port the charge, we shall feel disposed
to credit the report that he has entered
upon his dotage.
Mr.. Sherman may. Of course, have fall
len under the dominion Of that sentirr ent
Prevailing in this country that considers
our interests as requiring a twist to the
British Lions tail whenever an opportu-
nifty is offered. The significant connect
ing of Venezuela with the statement of
the case carries a strong suggestion that
some more pyrotechnics of the order Of
that miserable hasco are in contempla-
ton 1t is to be earnestly hoped, how
ever, that neither senility nor jingoism
has induced the Secretary Of State TO
place this country in the humiliating
position of Offering an affront TO friend
~ Power because that friendly Power has
put one construction upon its obligations
in a particular matter while he puts an
other construction upon them.
The uncomfortable itching of some peo-
| pie in America TO embroil this country
and England. is one of the most astound-
ing evidences of lingo folly now abroad
that is to be found anywhere. England
is worth as much 10 us as a customer,
almost, as all the rest OF the world COM
bined She buys our grain. our meat, our
| cotton and our petroleum, and If We should
| be deprived OF her custom by war be-
| tween the two countries we should suffer
| loss that could hardly be estimated.
| our relations also are so interlaced that
| there could not be a sudden and violent
| sundering OF them that would not be as
awful in its consequences almost. as 1t
would have been to have torn the Siamese
| twins apart.
| This is the material view OF the case
without any consideration being given to
| the dignity which America should always
maintain. and TO the duty of being always
fair and just that she owes TO herself.
But the view OF the case involved in the
latter suggestion ought to be just as po-
lential with Americans as any considera-
ton OF the former could be. The disposi-
ton of the English people towards us is
friendly. and We owe 1t as much to our