The sun., 1898-12-11
ENGLAND RECOGNIZES A CRISIS


Out just What America
is Going to do to Aid
Them.
New YORK, Dec. 9.-It is not all ex
aggeration to say that the entire civillzec
world has been startled by the introduc-
tion of Greater America into the arena O
European politics, as indicated by the
imperialistic policy of the United States
| in the matter of colonial absorption and
expansion in the two hemispheres
What part America may play in the
great military dramas OF the future is
question interesting alike to the million
aire who clips off the coupons from hi
bonds and the laborer who earns his nv
ing by the sweat of his brow; but that il
will be picturesquely interesting none
will dispute.
No more critical period in history
could have been selected for Our advent
into the Old World as factor among the
Great Powers than the present. All the
great nations are equipped for war; the
issues between some OF them are growing
daily more acute and if the signs of the
times may be taken as foreshadowing
coming events, even the skilled diplo-
macy Of Lord Salisbury and other Euro.
pean statesmen will not prevent the fir
ing of a spark that may set all Europe
ablaze. Such result would prove an
international calamity, and frenzied
jingoes would be the only ones that
would not regard as the worlds bene-
factors the man or men who can prevent
the outbreak of hostiities, the outcome
of which no one can foretell.
British Secretary Of State Chamberlain
in a speech yesterday discussed the
Governments policy in Egypt, which,
he said, depended entirely upon the pos
sibiIity OF reaching an understanding
with France, "a thing which is impos-
sible SO long as the French pursue a
policy of evaporation.
With regard to the relations between
Great Britain and Russia in connection
with the Far East, he said that, while
hitherto the endeavors to reach an agree
ment had failed, he believed an agree
ment with Russia was certain, unless
serious complications were encountered.
81 am more sanguine of arriving at a
settlement" said Mr.. Chamberlain, "be-
cause it is not for our interests alone.
The objects we have in view are shared
also by the United States, Germany and
Japan, all of which have identical in-
terests.'
Mr.. Chamberlain has found a crumb of
comfort in the Presidents message. In
his speech he said: II dare say, you
have observed the very pregnant passage
in the recent message of President Nc
Kinley to the United States Congress,
the passage referring to the very import
ant interests of America in the East, in
which he declares that these interests
shall not be prejudiced by exclusive
treatment. That is very noteworthy
passage, and, without being prophet, [
think | shall not be too sanguine if say
chat in the future we shall not
stand alone as guardians of the open
door,"
X \
There is intense irritation in England
over McKinley's plain announcement
that tie United States must build and
control the Nicaraguan Cana! across the
South American Continent, in the con.
troll of which Britain wants to share.
All the honeyed phrases which can be
invented cannot hide yhe fact that in
1882 both Blaine and Frelinghuysen for
mally announced to the British that the
American Government regarded the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty as null and ex-
tinct. Efforts are being made to repress
any expression OF passion or temper lest
the Anglo-American movement may be
endangered and Britain may lose Amer
lea as an alley in fighting Russia in Asia,
but it is not altogether success.
w
The Dreyfus scandal continues to agi.
tate Paris, and the Court of Cessation
has ordered stay in the trial of Colonel
Picquart, the friend of the exile This
appears on its face to be a set back to
the enemies of nreyfus, but, as the mys-
terious methods of French courts are
past finding out, it may practically mean
nothing.
**
First of special Importance, OF course,
in connection with our future develop
ment as one of the great consulting ma
tiops OF the earth, is the policy Of our
probable ally-Great Britain whose
present and prospective complications
we may have to reckon with as our own.
So many episodes have occurred during
the week, in which England is vitality
concerned, as to be almost bewildering.
Probably the most momento1s was the
incident at the British Chamber of Com.
merce dinner in Paris, during which the
English Ambassador to France, Lord
Frederick Monson, publicly insulted the
French Government and warned it not
to attempt to interfere with England's
policy in Africa. The slap in the face
was all the more direct for its deliberate
ness, Lord Monson having read his
speech from manuscript which had evil
IDENTIFY had the approval OF the British
Cabinet. Already it has reused intense
feeling in France and the cable tells us
that the French Ambassador at London