Washington sentinel., 1898-06-18
Zf01eS--London, June I.

zimeS-London, June I.
This agreement to establish an inter.
national commission has excited great
| interest not only in the countries con-
cerned, but on the continent of Europe.
Some of our friends who have been
watching the development OF cordial
relations between this country and
America IN a somewhat captious and
unsI mpathetic spirit are discussing with
renewed zest the question whether
there is any prospect of an Anglo
American alliance They are really
giving themselves a great deal Of un.
necessary trouble. 1t is only themselves
who think it ueedful to proclaim, as the
result OF much tedious discussion, the
very Obvious conclusion that it is a long
way from rabby0ehsUgeHtt to a offensive
aud defensive treaty of alliance. No
intelligent Englishman or American has
ever thought It necessary to insist on it,
Whatever defects it may have, the
Anglo Saxon race at least possesses too
much political instinct to suppose that
formal alliances are things ofmushroom
growth. On both sides of the Atlantic
1t knows Its own ways far too well to
imagine any such precipitation as our
European friends are contemplating
with sort Of veiled uneasiuess. Good
understanding, cordial mutual sympa
thy, compre hension and approval OF
one another's general aims and con.
cepuons Of life.-these are things which
seem quite good enough just at present
to Englishm en- and Americans.
MoyHfRg F0St--London, June1.
Nothing is more remarkable than the
promptitude and smoothness which
have marked the proceedings. Sir
Louis Davies. the Canadian Minister of
Marine, who acted on behalf of the
Dominion Government, only lett Ottawa
on May %. The British ambassador at
Washington was associated with him;
while President McKinley's Cabinet
designated Mr.. Kasson and Mr.. Foster
to appear for the United States The
name of Mr.. Foster is famiiarly rather
than faVorlbly known in his country in
connection with the abortiye negotia-
tions for the settlement of the Behring
Sea Dispute; but it is understood that
on this occasion Mr.. Kasson acts
directly for the Secretary of Stale, and
is in particular charged with the con-
duct Of the business relating to the
reciprocity proposals between the
Dominion and the United States, and
in Ottawa this is regarded as a fact of
good augury. OF course, the present
stage is merely preliminary, but the
readiness to form basis for practical
work and the harmonious discussion
leading to that decision afford evidence
enough OF the businesslike and friendly
spirit on both sides, 1t is certain that
the time IS peculiarly suitable for the
adjustment of any little differences
between the two countries. The anxiety
to appreciate each others point OF view,
which did not exist three months ago
and which now prevails, is matter tor
congratulation. Tne task Of the com.
mlssioners at Quebec should be compar-
ativelY easy, as, fortunately, there is no
serious question in dispute-nothing
which cannot be solved by friendly
feeling and iair play, which are precisely
the sentiments that may be expected to
animate both parties IN the case.
i 81. IameS'S Gazstke-London, Tune 1.
It IS distinctly gratifying to note the
increasing friendliness of the United
States toward Great Britain. The will
ingness Of the American Government
to refer outstanding difficulties with
Canada to commission which will, of
course, be agreed to by Lord Salisbury
is only one sign Of this new spirit; but
it is an important move forwards. In
the past It has been always Great
Britain that has made the advances
towards the United States, and they
have too often been disappointments.
| But recent events really seem to have
started what all must hope to be a
permanent new era Of friendly and
sympathetic relations between the two
great branches of the Anglo-Saxon
family. AS we said some time ago, If
bAAAp = FN%.Df Ceffcffscffe hlA not come OIL
now, 1t never would. But if the Amer.
leans are ready to give US credit for our
friendly policy towards them, and TO
reciprocate it, they will find the British
people firm allies at need, with or with
out any binding or formal documents.
Pail Mall GasskAe-London, Maysr.
The question of the Far East has
shown both Of us how much our interests
are really in common; British sympathy
towards America IN the present crisis
has been warmly appreciated, and day
by day there are proofs that blood IS
infinitely thicker than water This
commission Will strike the iron while il
is hot. There will be no alliance. yet
anyhow; we know how worthless the
alliances OF Europe are apt to prove at
pinch, and neither nation is foolish
enough 10 be precipitate. But, there
will be something better, the recognition
of essential unIties and rapidly consol-
idating sense of common interest and
brotherliness. There are many questions
remaining 10 he satfiad not, b.l,, ~ Z.