New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-06
-..n.ture; It may be vagary Of optimism; but

...rsture: II may be vagary Of optimism but
;. h.s made a deep impression upon the English
,o and with thdr practical instincts they
- discussing IT in a calculating spirit from
,o;nt OF view Of enlightened self-interest
oon FEELING BETTER THAN AN ALLIANCE
Since am referring TO the urdercurrent OF
rn,,ish opinion rather than to the foam and
arrIs Of press discussion on the surface. II Is
-..sssarv 10 speak Of the conservatism OF public
.sougbt which deprecates an immediate alliance
,a,n,esn England and America as ill-advsed and
'o,o,,,ated 10 do more harm than good. Many
:. .,o ,ruest friends OF America in England
.avs this view. They contend that the two
sour.ries under an improved state Of good feel
=, o,readv have all the practical advantages Of
alliance without any Of the inconvenience
"a a-aybacks They assert that England by
49,. enforcement of neutrality obligations and
aoaunr regulations and by her refusal TO unite
Itch the European Powers in any scheme OF IN
ryen,,on IN the Cuban affair has promoted In
..rrational amity and placed America under OBJ
locations to her They are confident that Amer
,cans viii remember Englands friendship and
,,,d offices and that whenever suitable op-
o-,unity arises they will return the favor, on
.h principle that one good turn deserves an
r.. They consider mutual goodwill more
,onor,ant than the formal engagements or an
"r,o,.e with the inevitable discussion OF COM
,.rsatjng advantages and full equivalents
,n,ch is likely 10 produce irritation and friction
These are not the opinions Of obstructionists
,,, If practical and cautious men. who consider
thai artificial attempts 10 bring about an al
Nance before public opinion in either country is
.lv convinced Of the utility Of concerted action
=, definite lines will only serve TO retard and
,onper a movement rich in promise for the tut
rrs NJ the Anglo-Saxon race. They believe that
the trend Of events and the stream Of race ten
A.ncjes are pointing in the direction OF an al
uance between the two countries, but appre-
bend that premature action on either side may
nrove detrimental 10 common interests. Let
we'll enough alone" they say in effect. Events
are marching rapidly: tendencies are operating
surely il silently. An alliance should not come
from any forcing process. but should be a nat
ural and spontaneous growth. We already have
a state of international amity. which inspires
each country with a sincere desire to help the
other whenever an emergency arises. and that
is great gain for civilization Let us not be
IN any undue haste TO entangle ourselves with
AeNnite pledges and engagements, which may
smbarrass us and interrupt the course of good
feeling.
Another argument, which is also urged by
conservative Englshmen. is based upon the fact
that there can be no secret alliance between
England and America there is between RusA
sia and France II is not denied that the pres
tige OF France has been greatly increased IN
Furope by virtue of its confidential relations
with Russia; but il is asserted with confidence
that IL the precise terms Of partnership were
revealed there would be discomfort on one SIDE
or the other and the alliance would cease TO
have any practical value There can be no Sc
cret engagements il is urged between England
and America Each nation Will have TO De
taken into the confidence Of the Government
and the whole world will know the extent OF the
liabilities and obligations which are assumed
on either side An open alliance of that nature
will be different from the ordinary secrets or
diplomacy which remain inscrutable mysteries
until the time comes for joint action An Anglo
American alliance Will be exposed 10 the full
glare OF publicity and partisan criticism FOR
this reason many wary Englishmen believe that
events should be allowed 10 take their course
and an alliance be deferred until IT is impera-
lively required by common interests. 1t is not
because they underrate the importance OF Amer
lean cooperation with England. 1t is because
they value American friendship so highly that
they do not want TO take the risk OF having 1t
couied with misunderstanding over definite
ENGAGEMENTS !. n. F.