The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-09-14
War and Alliance.


visit are, primarily, to assist in the re.
hearsals of the play founded on "The
recent novel of his author
ship, and to renew the personal friend
ships made on the occasion of former
visit three years ago. Interviewed by
a Tribune reporter Mr.. Caine was ST.
lent on the literary and dramatic pur-
poses of his visit, but talked with free
dom and enthusiasm on international
questions. ri congratulate myself at
the outset" he said, "that am happy |
enough to come back to the United |
States at this time ofyour great peace"
Continuing, he said:
1--WE think in England, that the Ameri- |
war has been one of the most
remarkable in the long and strange history
OF warfare. We think it shows for the first
time in the history OF the world the tre-
mendous lighting power of democracy. We
think the great difference in the results has
been due to the great difference in the men.
On the Spanish side, as always hitherto in
inspiring spirit has been duty, and duty
alone. Theirs not to reason why, theirs
but to do and die The American soldier
has been fighting for principle which he
understood and sympathized with and
meant to conquer. Every man has been an
individual entity, an independent unity
submitting to routine for the general good,
and every man has stood on his own, as
much as if he was possible future Presi-
dent of the United States. This is of the
essence of democracy, and for the first time
in the history OF the world, perhaps it has
been brought into full play against the old
order of warlike ideas.
"Englsnmen are Of one mind in hoping
America will retain the Philippines and
join them in work for civilization in the
Far East, but they fully understand that to
keep the Philippines may involve a radical
change of national policy in America, and
they see that it is complex question which
must be taken up and settled from the
American, not the English, point of view.
They will respect the American decision,
whatever it may be.
"Englishmen rejoice in the era of good
feeling between England and America, and
wish to prolong 1t. They consider that
good feeling is more important than any
formal alliance. They want to have any
controversial question settled 80 that there
will be nothing left to disturb the relations
of the two countries in the future. They
want to have all the issues over which there
has been diplomatic correspondence buried
out of sight. They are willing to have the
Clayton. Bulwer treaty abrogated or revised,
and canal built by the American govern
ment and controlled by the United States
precisely as the Suez Canal is controlled by
the English.
1.-THE work of the American navy has con-
WINGED English naval experts that England
has nothing to fear from European fleets.
Whatever may have been the defects OF the
American transport service and commissa-
riat in the military operations in Cuba,
Englishmen with long memories have re-
called their own plumbers and failures in
the Crimea and have been slow to con-
denim. They have been filed with admit
ration for the private soldier who has
shown himself a brother-in.arms Of the
English infantryman of Waterloo, and Of
the cavalrvman OF Balaklava.
"They (many Of them at least) are strong
for formal alliance between the two coun-
tries. The feeling in some quarters in Eng
land on this subject is strong and profound.
1t is based on a conviction that unity Of
race is good ground for unity of interests.
Englishmen see that England may have
more than America to gain by a formal al
lance, that the difficulties for America and
the responsibilities incurred by America
would be greater than her advantage. II
that is the conclusion of the American peo-
pie the English will still be satisfied, as
long as the regime Of good faith continues
which would make such an alliance real, II
it were practical.
"But In any case I think Americans
would do we'll not to lend too ready an ear
to those who say that the English desire
for alliance, where it exists, is founded
solely on selfinterest. 1t Is founded on the
most genuine sympathy and good feeling
Also think Americans ought not to wait
las Mr.. Stanley advises) until trouble over
takes one or the other of the two countries
lovers of peace desire preventive rather
| than q curative measure.
"Englishmen feel that an Anglo Ameri-
can alliance would be tremendous factor
in promoting the worlds peace. When the
great nations have united themselves by
race, the risks and dangers of war will be
reduced. Men will not feel that they have
a right to fight for nothing. And then the
right to fight will always be controlled by
the democracies. 1t is clear that the escape
from war is in the general sense Of the peo
pie, and universal peace, If it ever comes
will come by pressure OF the people.
"There was much talk in England at the
moment OF my leaving of the Gear of Rus
sias proposal for a reduction of nationa
ornaments, and the general feeling among
Englishmen was that it would be crimina
on Englands part not to agree to confer
ence for the discussion of the question. o
course, the proposal is not new one. 1t Il
only the source OF it that Is new. And per
APPS there is something illogical and ever