The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-04
COMBINED AGAINST AMERICA.
Reasons Why the United States is Unpopu-
lar Abroad

OF the fact there can be no doubt
every visitor, more than a mere hasty
traveller in Europe, will testify to the
fact. 1t is not true. we think, of other
American countries. at least to the south
of us. But Americans do not travel much
on their hemisphere, and the Monroe doc
trine has made US to be regarded as a
kindly elder brother who can be called on
for help IN the last emergency.
But in Europe we probably have not
one cordial friend among the nation of
Europe. Indeed, we are much in the po-
sitiOn of Great Britain, whose isolation
is more splendid" than agreeable. The
causes of this growing unpopularity
would make an interesting study, and we
note some of them.
1t is easy to see why we are unpopular
in Spain. Spain is unpopular with us.
We naturally sympathize. all of us, with
the Cubans struggling for their indie
pendence. But 1t Is a matter of the in
tensest pride with the Spaniards to hold
their choicest possession. They know the
CubanS depend on our sympathy, that
they smuggled military stores from our
coasts, and that our government has
made it clear that we cannot allow the
cruel wrong to the Cubans and the in
jury to our own interests to go on in
definitely. We are intensely unpopular in
Spain, and the residences of our minister
and consuls have to be guarded against
popular attack.
We are not popular in France, not
withstanding the hereditary friendship.
For years there has been a large Amer
lean colony in Paris, but its members
find it difficult to get any entrance into
French society. French ideals differ
from ours as much as they do from the
english. Besides, the natural sympathy
of France is with it's neighSor, Spain,
which has a large colony in Paris: and
Spanish bonds are held in France and
would be almost worthless if Cuba were
to secure independence. The French be-
lieve what the SpaniardS tell them. that
the United States is hungering to annex
Cuba.
We need not argue the ill-will of Ger
many: it is too plain to be missed. 1t is
caused partly by the operation of our
protective tariff and partly by the loss to
the United States of so many German
citizens and possibly soldiers. But still
more the cause is in hat which is seen
all through Europe, the growth and pros
perity Of this country, the development
Of its manufactures and commerce.,
which excite general apprehension. What
Germany feels is what the Austrian pre-
mier, GoluchOwSki, startled US by pro-
must see the union OF Europe against
America, to shut out American products
and influence. The yellow peril, from
China, is not so much feared as the
American peril. This apprehension affects
all Europe, though just now most clear
ly expressed in Germany and Austria.
But Italy feels it as well. although she
has her special grievance in the New
Orleans lynching case.
OF the great powers there remains Rus
STA. which has no public opinion. and
Great Britain. President Washburn
thinks that the mother country remains
our friend. We trust this is so, certainly
we are her friend: but the Venezuela in
cident, and the charges that our diplo-
matte correspondence lacked courtesy,
have cooled the feelings. The prompt
payment of the indemnity now awarded
TO Great Britain might relieve this ten
sion.-The Independent.