The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-09-20
American Feeling Towards England,

MI Amy8S DJhUOtu NOTtncOJe,
writing from $50, Monaduock Block,
Chicago, says that he is struck by
the general feeling expressed in
England that Americans as a whole
are hostile to Great Britain. As to
the rejection of the Arbitration
Treaty by the United States Senate,
Mr.. Northcote says that on every
hand one heard the principles of the
Treaty applauded, and on it's final
rejection general regret was express
ed, though there were many, includ-
ing some Senators, who, while APP
proving of an arbitration treaty, did
not approve the form of this one.
The action OF the Senate had been
expected, however; it was only an
other instance Of its opposition to
general popular sentiment. No one
can read daily paper in A nerica
without realizing how unpopular
aud how little representative the
Senate is. Regarding the so-called
hostile teaching in the schools, MIR.
Northcote says:-
"The early histories read by Ame-
rican children recite the ancient
wars against Great Britain, but it is
difficult to see how children could
be taught the history OF their coun-
try without this, The United States
has only fought three foreign wars,
and of these the two most import
ant were against ourselves. 1t is also
true that the attitude Of the British
Government during the War of In
dependence is still held up for con-
demnation, but it is not true that
the British people of to-day are so
condemned.
"The fact is that the vast bulk of
the American people regard us with
Indifference. A few Americans re-
gard us with the greatest admiration,
considerable number more (quite a
large proportion) regard Great Bri.
tain as country whose aims are kin
to their own, whose past is their
own up to certain date, aud with
whom friendship should always, if
possible, be maintained. On the
other hand, there is a small class,
mostly Irish and demagogues seek
ing that nationality's support, to
whom the very name of Great Bril-
tain is obnoxious, and still another
class, which, while not hostile, is
perpetually ready to suspect our mo-
tive, Between these two groups Of
classes stands the great bulk of the
people, to whom Great Britain is
merely one OF the effete monarchies
OF Europe These people regard us
from an ignorant, not hostile,
standpoint. Believing their own
country to be the greatest, the wis
est, the most progressive, and the
on the face OF the earth,
they recognize the fact that Great
Britain is the largest customer for
their products, and recognizing this
fact, If no other, they are not willing
to quarrel with their bread and but
ter. Americans, like others nearer
home, are easily swayed by faddists
up to certain point, but at bottom
they possess Anglo-Saxon common
sense, and this quality is likely to
save them from being carried away
by any vague theories of British
hostility. For be it recollected that
the basis OF all possible American
enmity towards us is vague, I'M
formed idea that we are, or have
been, hostile to the United States.
The case ia one of mutual mistrust,
and my apology for this letter is
that it is my small contribution to-
wards the task Of bringing about a
mutual understandings London
TINS.