The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-05-05
SHOULD JOIN ENGLAND
Ex.Minister Phelps Thinks Such
a Move Might Be Wise.
UNCLE SAM NEEDS BRITAINs AID.
Interests Of the Pacific Coast in the Far
East Question Cannot Re
Overlooked.

relations. While our representative
at the court of 81 James il was his
privilege 10 enjoy wealth OF opportnn-
ity along the lines Of studying the real
attitude OF the Englishman toward the
American people. keenly alive to
the facts Mr.. Phelps has since his re-
turn to this country made study Of
comparisons and it is doubtful II any
man is better fitted TO speak OF the
actual attitude OF each nation toward
the other than he.
When he was asked to say exactly
what, in his opinion, the facts were re-
garding our situation at home and
abr0ad-the facts that would form the
basis OF dispassionate consideration OF
the wisdom Of an alliance-he said:
The wisdom of an alliance between
the United States and England depends
upon the terms proposed. Anything
that will strengthen the brotherly feel
ing between the people of the two
nations should be fostered. There is
an element in our own country which
would oppose any alliance, but in Eng
land nothing Of the sort exists. know
that We are regarded by Englishmen
with iraternai kindness.
! For defensive reasons we need no
assistance from any one. We can take
care OF ourselves under any circum-
stances which seem possible, The
Chinese question has, however, as
sumed an importance that under all
circumstances makes it necessary for
us to look seriously upon the sugges-
ton of an alliance with England. /
am not prepared to say that we should
or should not form an alliance so far
as Individual questions are concerned.
The only point of view from which
we can now consider the matter is on
the basis of the broad principle itself,
on the broad ground of general advisa-
bility.
What do you consider the leading
reasons in favor of an alliance?
1t seems to me there are several rea-
sons the first important being one
which fancy may not meet altogether
with the approval of the masses--the
benefit England would be to us under
such circumstances. She is a far older
nation, and, therefore, more expert
enced, possessing the calm wisdom that
comes with age and the power to Judge
dispassionately We should be to her
like the young partner to the old one,
and, as in the case OF such partner
ship, the younger always gains through
the ripe knowlege of his elder. The
calm, firm, wise policy of England re-
suits in the settlement of difficulty,
where often the ephcmeral passages OF
our diplomacy accomplish little or
nothing.
Another reason which might weigh
in favor of an alliance is the presence
of our great neighbor to the north that
stretches from sea to sea-Canada.
But for the presence of Canada moth
ing would confront us at home which
would make it possible that we might
have serious difficulty with England
But no man can foresee what will
happen. There are difficulties between
nations under such circumstances
just as there are between land owners
or in business life. Therefore | say
that just so long as Canada exists, 50
long is there possibility of difficulty
which an alliance would be very ant ia
remove.
Again, there is the moral strength
that we should enjoy through an
alliance with England | mean the
moral strength resulting from the effect
of such an alliance upon other nations.
II is not to be supposed for moment
that any power would attack the
United States and England ii those two
nations presented solid front. Fo,
that reason an alliance might be adj.
vantageous.
Then there is another reason that We
should by no means forget in consider.
| ing this question OF alliance. This i,
that it would still further cement tn,
fraternal feeling which now exists
The people of Great Britain are favora
bly, disposed toward the people of tn,
United States. They admire ouI
pluck, our energy, our strength You
know we are all English when it come,
to matter OF ancestry or, at least, tn,
majority of us are. Hence there is tn,
consanguinity which must ever exis
between two nations allied bv tn,
closest of all ties--a common blood.
Still another fact we must conside
when surveying the field of reason
opened by the question of an Anglo
American alliance is the effect upo,
commerce. We are not Il nation o
seamen; England is. Our marine i
not developed. Hers has gained will
every year. 1t is as sea power tina
she holds her high position Were i
otherwise she would never be able t,
maintain her dignity and power in al
parts of the world. On the sea al
alliance would be OF unquestioned ad
vantage to us
Is it not possible for us to plac,
ourselves ON an equality with Grea
Britain? Can we not build all tn,
ships we need:
Unquestionably we can build ships
we nave as good shipwrlghtA and a
good facilities for constructing vessel
rs could be desired. But how can ",
man these ships? We have more YES
sells now than we have experienced
crews for. You can educate 4 man ii
the principles of military duty in
comparatively short space of time, bu
seamen must be bred. England ha,
been breeding them for centuries. He
mariners are to the manner born
Your true seaman is never landsman
For this reason the sails of England
fleets are on every sea and her ships
are manned by men whose home is the
sea, who are more capable OF deeds o.
greatness on water than on land. Eng,
land is infinitely superior on the ocean
1t would take us more than hundred
wears To hiring our marine nur navy