The times., 1897-11-30

would be lacking in both political ami
allow himself 10 think that such a consam-
nation would be submitted TO patiently ay
rival nations with like productions; and
especially by great competing powers like
Great Britain and Germany.
In view OF the foregoing, among other
things, we have believed, and still believe,
that It wculJ be the height of human folly
to tie America neck and heels to its chief
eral treaty of arbitration; and, for the very
good reason that every such proposition
is intended to place us at disadvantage,
or Great Britain never would present il.
Under such han dicap as the Omey Paunce-
fote treaty every difference with the other
party WOULD be adjudicated in a tribunal
III which there would be European casting
vote. While Germany, England, Austria
rels, these would not in the least prevent
union upon any question which clearly
should involve European versus an meri-
can interest. Beyond any sort of doubt,
nothing that would tend to bind or ham
string the young giant of the West would
be left undone by any one of the European
powers, Russia alone excepted.
The truth OF ,lhs finds emphatic support
I'm the recent speech OF Count Goluchow
ski, Austrian minister Of foreign affairs
Which not only has interested but excited
all Europe. He declared with truth that
Just as the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries were absorbed by religious wars,
as the eighteenth century was distinguished
by the Triumph Of liberal ideas, ana our
own century by the appearance OF nation
alty questions, In ike manner the twenti
eth century would be, for Europe, 1e.iod
marked by struggle for existence in
the pclltico- commercial sphere" And
again he said: The destructive compe'i-
ton with tTanS-oceanic countries which
has partly To be carried on at present and
partly to be- expected in the immediate
future, requires prompt and thorough ooun-
teracting measures If vital interests Of
the peorle OF Europe are not To be grlvely
compromised. They must fight shouh,er
10 shoulder against the common danger
and must arm themselves for the struggle
with all the means at their disposal
The press OF the United Kingdom and
the coatinent rings with approval of these
views ard sentiments. The air is foil
OF meuaces 70 the future OF the westeIn N
hemisphere; Particularly to that Of our
/ own country. They are not confined to
speeches aud editorials. We see them
In the Gordon OF Qualifications and fleets
which Great Britain Is drawing around
US, and in the British fear that the com
mercial supremacy of the world might
/ come to Us If we were allowed 10 annex
! Hawaii, hulId ard control the Nicaragua
! Canal and acquire a commanding naval
base in the Caribbean Sea. We see
! the feveush haste with which other pownrS
are seeking .ourment on he western
/ shore Of tie Pacific against the day when
these advantages may give Us a better
chance to dominate Oriental trade man
any othcl people now enjoy or normally
would he likely to attain.
1t behooyes US 10 be up and doing. and
singularly enough, Count Gollchow ski has
Indicated 81 once our latent source OF
| power OH this side Of the seas, and he
real reason why the chief political and
financial factors OF England ana Europe
are united in trying to get, and 20 keep
u upon a single gold standard basis Of
| currency He asserted his belief that
shortly there would be a pan-Amcrican
bimetallc union. With silver dollars cur
rent from the north pole to Patagonia.
When that should occur European com
petition would receive its death blow.
! There is food for thought in this admission.
and there is ircitement to other efforts ia
the general situation There IS no airae
for humhug about arbitration; but it i.
high time 10 put our house in order. TO
| develop olcser commercial relations viii
cur Mexican, Central and South Americ II
neighhors, ana TO increase, if possible, The
rriendIiness which always has suhsisted be
tween America and Russia. We should lose
not a moment, unnecessarily, in acquiring
Haw All OF in building the Nicaragua Canal
1t is within our present ability to do al
these things; but the day might come when
European coalition would attempt te
stop US vi et arms!