The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-28
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Ax9NS OF A DESIRE TO COMBINE
AGAINST THE USITED STATES.

INDICATIONS along tho horizon OF our foreign re-
lations 10 which those charged with observing
such things are paying close attention. Tho
Spanish situation ia only an incident. and not q
part OF the general drift which our most saga
cious officials detect. Some Of these manifesta-
tions have been referred TO heretofore. All Of
them are attracting increased attention. The
latest are unmistakablo signs Of q desire to
combine against tho United States. which are
extremely significant, even II the thing pro-
posed seems impossible. They have been stead
lily growing since our Interpretation OF the
Monroe doctrine brought England to o halt In
South America, with Germany just behind her.
Tho Dingley bill for the protection OF our
lsborers. our markets. and our manufacturer
II adding the evaporation of an industrial war
OF growing intensity to previous unfriondly con-
ditions. The voice given TO this by tho Austrian
Premier has been loudly echoed from London
Our consular, reports from all quarters show
that there 10 q general outcry approaching con-
pternation throughout Europe over the depress-
Ing effects OF our tariff. The manufactured
products Of the United States are increasing in
every market. Especially is this the case in
machinery, and the heavier and costly work In
metals which employs great numbers Of artisans.
In many respects this industrial war seoms to
DO regarded by some of the leading powers as
moro serious now, and moro threatening for
sAeA NeA Noohu w. bUu .
feeling is undoubtedly growing which finds OK
preston in suggestions that the career of the
United States must be checked. To meet these
new conditions. those of our own authorities
who are observing them, while favorinR neither
jingoism nor aggression, are convinced that the
situation demands steady and rapid prcpara-
tion for self.defence. While these. under the
direction Of the Secretaries OF War and
Navy. are progressing as rapidly as the
means provided by Congress will allow. and
every month adds TO tho degree of security
attained, the committees Of appropriations will
DO asked to take our foreign relations into
timely consideration, and thus begin u now
departure. The first effect Of giving full weight
to foreign affairs in framing the annual appro.
priations will DO enabling our authorities to
hasten work with . Wow to what may be badly
needed a very few years hence. There will DO
an attempt to have Congress give serious con.
alteration to the fact that the United States Is
now compelled to take its place among the lead
ing and controlling nations. This cannot DO
avoided in the march Of international progress.
Such position involves vast responsibilities, and
should carry with it the means OF discharging
them.
1t was the height of wisdom for q nation OF a
few millions, just emerging from exhaustive
war with q great power, to follow Washington
and avoid ell entangling alliances with foreign
nations. But in these later days, a people with
the population, resources. and every element of
power which compels leadership. must take
cogn'Zance OF such prominence, and be prepared
The very first consideration is q preparation
for defence. Sooner or later the sharp Jealousies
which such unparalleled growth as our 8 excites
In the other powers must lead to a situation
our only salvation from war.
Such preparation docs not In any senseinvolve
tho idea OF aggression or JfnHoism. 1t Is, in
fnfnah FRAGRANT with the aroma of neacer Eyary
harbor fertilization completed 10 u new altar to
peace. The smoke OF every new battleship
ourlB as q censor before that altar. Every
artillery force which Congress mag and should
provide to guard these new works OF national
peace about these high nltars OF nationality.
There is divided sentiment here In regard To-
be, laid before tho Senate. The prevailing
opinion appearst to be that IL we are to bind our
selves with such u treaty 1t should 60 hand in
There 10 a strong undercurrent OF feeling that
each question with q foreign nation should be
arbitration as the circumstances surrounding
each may determine. No treaty could be
r%tirsd which did not except questions
virtually renders any treaty Of nrbitra;
i flSn Rug rn iS;er sinss every Sy one aS' size or %o tha
INTERFERENCE of any kind q blow at the national
powers is also pointed to by the opponents Of
arbitration as a reason against binding our
now be made for a court OF arbitration to settle
our affairs the United States would be in q con.
tionnbie ii any leading nation in Europe. except
Russia. would give. us a fair hearing.
No nation which knows by experience within
its own borders what war 10 wants war again,
but the surest way TO avoid 1t Is TO be fully pre-
pared for it and ready to wage 1t il need be.
With these general ideas OF our foreign reia-
tions forced with unusual strength upon those
who are studying them. an attempt will DO
made TO induce Congress 70 recognize The situa-
ton IA itl concentrations Tor both land and sea
It is evident that there must be a complete re-
yersal OF the original intent OF section ~ OF the
Dlngley bill. The press dispatches from Ottawa
announce that Canada has refused to stop pc.
being that she has failed TO get something for
nothing. Her pirates will therefore soon start for
seems 10 be adihicuit case to deal with. Per.
haps Canada would withhold her fleet II our
S9y vseI3an 81 W .s 10 a psis,t to S 80 amend a. the text
be levied on importations reaching the United
StateB by any other route than the Canadian
railways. Il Is possible that by some such con.
oe,sion as this a country OF 20. 0 900 might DO
Preparations are making for that most I'M
mitigated nuisance and most serious drawback
that ever afiicts Washington-the so.cailed So
cial season. A more accurate name for 1t would
be society's free lunch period.
The official receptions on New Years Day
afford all the opportunities which should DO
necessnry for officials of every grade and citi.
sSeo " ~ Az itopOtto VI " u II TtSlutul 1U
his Cabinet, TO the judicial branch OF the Gov
ernment, and to Senators and Representatives.
The countless receptions which follow Tor
several months are an imposition OF the Ameri-
can people upon those who feel Obliged by Gus
tom 10 give then,. aud u burdensomo tax upon
tho time OF al, who are OF any consequence as
moving forces In the machine OF government.
VIII, should the President be called upon to
monthly turn tho White House into u sardine
box OF struggling and. squirming men and
wotnen, At Toast half OF whom arc unlimited,
because IL 10 the custom for the President to
hois reeeptionsi Under modern methods. with
. great city crowded as II always has been in
recent years. and the small reception rooms OF
the White House remaining us they were when
double and treble former Plumbers, and tho
nuinOer OF oficials OF All grades largely
Increased, 1t ID impossible TO have a com
Portable, II strictly orderly. or a dignihcd White
House reception. except as on New Years Day,
when tho column OF callers, in the main, passes
rapidly through the house. With tho best in
~tentlone on tho part of all, rowding and a Jam
cannot be prevented. Nothing can remedy this
till the invitations for each occasion are limited
to the capacity OF the building and cards OF ad.
mission required from MI. No sensible man or
woman OF any rank could object 10 this without
virtually admitting that IL had been his or her
hakI - alA