The times., 1897-07-22
The Advance Agent of Arbitration.

1hc aANabce agent OF aI3liEdIloias
One of our London dispatches yester-
day Contained food for unpleasant reflec-
ton, as well as material for careful and
critical analysis. it stated that the i'm
pression that tie people OF the United
States are determined TO pick a quarrel
with somebody is gaining ground quite
rapidly in Europe, especially within the last
iew days. and it is being indust riousiy
tostered by the English press"
The report goes or to say that 1T is
n.portant tnat this fact be promptly rec
sgnlzed in America and as promptly dealt
with, for it is Just as easy 20 damage
the reputation OF a nation as OF an in
dividual, and the consequences are much
more serious" Probably this second quo
tatiOn furnishes the key 10 the situation
The Sherman" note is the text upon
which the press OF Great Britain and the
Continent are preaching the sermon or
''Yankee tnsolence'' and hostile intention.
Both the text and the sermon are in-
spired from the neighborhood OF the British
foreign office, ard for the shrewdest rea-
Eons.
We have read between the lines Of the
''Shermah'' note, and are convinced, as
are many other Americans. that it never
would have been framed or sent in the
offensive language in yyhiehit was couched
If there had not been purpose TO be
subscI-ed by just such a violation OF the
ethics and amenities OF diplomacy This
convict.on received early Confederation,
when it became apparent that business and
social relations went on Just the sane
between the American embassy in Lon
doa and Lord Salisbury, Notwithstanding
tie latter's official astoaishment and in
dignation at the receipt OF such a docu-
meHt. Therefore, the suspicion is inevl-
table that the noble maquis was as
torished and indignant, only n his official
capecity. and that, privately, he knew
all about the note before it was sent; in
short, that it was part Of a prearran ged
scheme of diplomacy, carefully designed
and prepared to hew the way to new
arbitration treaty
The episode follows too closely the gen
eral outlines OF the preparatory play made
10 open the way to the OIney-Pauncefote
treaty altogether TO escape such ceduc-
ton. Ia that connection We had Venezu-
elan war ncssag followed by war scare
among the business interests and a
peace petition scare among all the old
ladies, both male and female, in the rural
districts: but the scare was not wild and
bloody enough 10 land the arbitration
treaty, with all its viIlainy OF conce aled
purposes against the American people. It
would be de sirable, therefore, at this
force such a measure upon the country,
to construct war scare amply big enough
to make assurance double sure.
SO we agree with Lord Salisbury that he
and his government are to be insulted, and
that be is TO sound the tocsin Of alarm to
Europei We are to be threatened with dis
cipine at the hands OF huge European
coalition. Everybody is to he frightened.
but the Hanna Administration is to be
permitted to make the Eagle scream until
after tine Ohio election. BY that time the
Congress w1lbe almost due to return, and
before it comes our Hanna and other
patriots VIII smoothe their battle front
and consent to avert the hideous horrors
of a fratricidal war and meet Great Rrita in
more than half way in q treaty Of arbi
tration, one that VIII subject our national
interests, ambitions and honor to the 20
Ice jurisdiction OF European monarchical
tribunal.
Itls clever though reasonable scheme
but it win rot work!