The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-09
VERY PREGNANT PASSAGE.
Presidents AlIusiOn to China In His
Message.
A PLAIN TALK BY SECRETARY
CHAMBERLAIN.
Thinks 1t Means England Will Not Stand
Alone as Guardian of the Open Door
AIlusion to French Policy of Exaspera-
xion

Alone as Guardian of the Open Door
AIlusion to French Policy of Exaspera-
tion.
London, December s. The Right hon.
Joseph Cham berlain, Secretary OF state
for the colonies, speaking at conserVa-
tive gathering in Wakefield, Yorkshire
this evening. fully discussed home ana
foreign affairs and the government
policy in Egypt which, he said. depended
entirely upon the possibility OF reaching
understanding with France. "A
thing which is impossible SO long as the
French pursue 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 endeayors to reach an agree
ment had failed he believed an agreement
with Russia was necessary, unless very
erious complications were to be en-
countered. There were, he continued no
insurmountable obstacles to an agree
ment. On the contrary, it was quite
reasonable to couciliate the reasonable
ambition of Russia with the liked policy
of Great Britain to maintain equal oppor-
tunities of trade for all nations
II am more sanguine of arriving at
settlement,'' said Mr. amberlain, 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 interests.
dare say you have observed the very preg-
nanG passage in the recent message of
President Mckinley 10 the United states
Congress the passage referring to the
very important interests of America 10
the east, in which he declares that these
interests shall not be prejudiced BY ex-
elusive treatment. This is very note
worthy passage; and, without being
prophet, think I shall not be too
sanguine if / say that in the future we
shall not stand alone as guardians OF the
| open door.
MIR. Chamberlain then referred to the
charge OF Inconsistency brought against
him In boasting of Great Britain s
| splendid isolation" and then touting for
alliance. He said: when / referred to
isolation, meant the isolation of the
British empire comprising the United
Kingdom aud our children over seas who
are well able to defend their own possess
sinns ami their own exclusive interests
against all attack; but surely it is not
unreasonable to see IN alliance and to ex-
pect corporation where the interests in
volyed are those of others as well as our
selves. In the case of Germany we have
aseertained by friendly and frank inter-
change OF opinion that there are many in
tesests regarding which we can assist one
another / think | may hope that in the
future, the two nations, the great naval
and the greatest military power, will
come more frequently together and that
our joint influence will be used on behalf
of peace and of unrestricted trade.
Z . But, if / congratulate you on the de-
veIopment of good feeling between us and
great continental state. still more do l
rejoice at the growth of friendly relations
between ourselves and our colonies, be-
tween ourselves and the United States.
Already the United States, if regarded
from the standpoint of potential resources
ia the greatest of civilized states--with it's
immense population of Intelligent citi-
zens, c..ietiy Anglo Saxons, and, 1t we
are assured OF the Anglo Saxon race,
whether it abdes under the Stars and
Stripes or the Union Jack there is no
other com animation that can make US
afraid.
Replying later in the proceedings to a
vote of thanks for his address, Mr.. Cham
berlain said he hoped ere many years had
passed to sea federation of the empire,
wi h colonial representativ in the i'm,
perial pariiament. Referring to personal
allusion to his s'setting good exam pie
IN forwarding the hoped for alliance with
the United States by marrying an Amerl-
can.n he said: $50 many EngllshInen
are following the example that tn Ink 1t
quite possible the alliance may be accom- :.
plished without the Interference or
governments. Laughter.)