The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-10

The course of four of the most promi-
nent nations of Europe at this moment
shows in striking way the great in
nuence which the United states is be-
ginning to exert in the politics of the
Old World. Until few weeks ago Eng
lands course in Asiatic and African
affairs aroused great dissatisfaction
among her citizens, but all this has
been changed. Some of the leading
British papers asserted that their gov
ernment was being deluded and beaten
by France, Germany and Russia, in the
contest which was being waged by
them for territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT in
China, Marchand's march across the
Nile region was interpreted by Eng
lish newspapers as not only an indi-
cation that France desired to appropri-
ate a large part of Egypt. but as an
| evidence that she would get it. Lib
eral journals charged Premier Sails
| bury with weakness. The Tory press
made apologies for him, and attributed
his laXness to ill-health. But both ac-
| cusations and apologies have ceased.
The England of Salisbury has begun to
| show some of the vigor she displayed
| under the elder Pitt. The change in
| England's course is one of the surprises
of the Old Worlds politics. 1t all has
| come since the war of the United States
| with Spain, the strength which the
| United States showed in that conflict,
| and the evidences of friendship by this
| country for England displayed during
| that struggle and since.
| 1t was noticed and commented upon
by the British papers that the only for
eign diplomat present at the banquet
Just given in England to General Kitch-
ener was the United States represen-
tative. I'm thus associating our Amer
| lean kinsfolk with our national rejoic-
ings," says the London Times, Eve de-
sire to show the warm appreciation of
the sympathy with which General
Kitchener's victory has been COM
mented upon beyond the Atlantic" 1t
is this American sympathy, frequently
and conspicuously displayed Of late,
which has nerved England to turn up
on her enemies. Americas moral aid
would be extended to England in any
conflict between that country and the
nations of continental Europe. Every
nation in the Old World knows this, and
has commented upon it. Americas in
huence in this way is decisive, though
not a shot need be fired by an Ameri-
can vessel or soldier. The fact that the
Unit ha 20
any combination formed against Eng
land, SO long as England, as now, is
fighting the battles Of civilization, has
deterrent effect upon continental
Europe which turns the scale in favor
of England. Thus we see England pre-.
, pairing herself at this moment to strike
France in Africa and Frances ally
. Russia, in Asia, If provocation is fur
nished. As a consequence France Il
evacuating Fashoda and Russia's ac
tivity in Chinese affairs has suddenly
: ceased.
This evidence of the decisive charac
ter of United States influence in Ole
World affairs will give timeliness anc
point to a prediction made more thar
| a century ago Dy conspicuous ENG
lishman. North America is become
new primary planet in the system O
the world, which, while it takes it's owl
u course, must have it's effect upon tn
orbit of every other planet, and shif
i the common center of gravity" Tn
author of these words was Thoma
. Pownall, formerly a British governo
= in the colonies, and then a member O
the House of Commons The word
= were uttered in 1880, and, a little owe
- a century afterward, they have becom
u literally true. The United States, a
Pownall said, has become new prim
airy planet in the system of the worlC
- and il has moved. the common cente
g of gravity of the universe. Its voic
will have a commanding potency here
: after in the councils of the nations
IL and it will be directed in the interes
of civilization. Only one of the gres
i countries of the Old World is in han
{ mouy with it's methods and aspira
'e tions, and its moral aid for that couT
- try in this crisis gives the latter
courage and a potency which enab
1t her to hold the primacy in Europea
of affairs. Through England, as againi
st the continental European nation
isl speaks America, civilization, the tweI
IN | tiath eantlIrV the yNOrld,a paWar an