The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-17
sEQuELs OF THE WAR.
Continental Statesmen Alarmed at Our
pobut as World Power.
(prom the London Times

\
Vienna, July 27-Now that the pour
parlers between Spain and the United
States have been formally begun, it may
be of interest to consider one OF the pos
sible consequences of any attempt by Eur
ope to intervene in or influence those ne
gotiations. 1 have just had an opportu-
nifty of hearing the views of particular
ly well-informed and competent observer,
who has closely followed the development
of the present conflict They are as fol-
lows:
Apart from the chances of territorial
acquisition in East Asia, the point which
chiefly concerns European States in ths
Spanish American conflict Is the possible
appearance on the political horizon of
a new power with immense, though as
yet undeveloped resources both in men
and material, practically free from all
engagements and at liberty to offer it's
alliance to the highest bidder. At present
the North American Union has only the
potency of becoming such power. For
the moment it is not o military State,
nor does it aspire to become one. But In
the circumstances that now prevails in
the Unted States outside interference In
the conflict might conceivably have in
calculable consequences. So far the i'm
perialist agitation in America has not
taken deep root. 1t is strongly opposed
by the more thoughtful and influential
element of the community, which fully
recognizes the dangers it involves for ex-
listing institutions and the prosperity of
the Republic. This element will probab-
ly prove successful, but only on one con-
dition-namely, that European meddling
does not throw the high-spirited Ameri-
can people into tn arms of the jingoes.
II things are allowed to take their nat
ural course, the present war. together
with the desire for territorial expansion
to which it has given rise, will remain
o mere episode without any very marked
influence on the policy of the country. 1t
is question Of high importance whether
the American people will be permitted by
Europe to develop In accordance with the
principles by which they have hitherto
been guided. or whether an ll-advlseu
attempt to deprive them of the fruits OF
their victory will not arouse q spirit OF
defiance which may give the national
for military era in the history Of the
United States. Up to the present tho
Americans have been q peace-lov1ng peo-
pie, like the English, only more so. They
are essentially nation Of shopkeepers
and traders who are proud OF the fact
and of their rapid progress IN the arts OF
peace. They have, however, both the pop
ulation and the material resources that
go to the making Of great military
power. The present war has shown that
they have strong military instincts which
in favoring circumstances may gain the
upper hand.
From political standpoint the Union
may be regarded as an insular state hav-
ing practically no land frontiers to de-
fend. If the energies to which Its ad-
vanced material progress is due were to
be applied with the characteristic Aneri-
can ardor and persistence to the develop
ment of the naval and military strength
of the country, it is to be anticipated that
Europe would in comparatively short
time have to reckon with new and form.
liable factor in international relations
AS it is, the fabric of European peace
rests upon a foundation which is far from
stable. This new element would render
its maintenance still more uncertain.
The American Republic, organized as
naval and military State, could at any
moment alter the balance of power by
throwing its own weight into the SCALE
1t is neither in the interest of Europe
nor of humanity at large that the main
tenance of peace should be rendered mora
insecure Iand uncertain, nor that still
another nation should be sacrificed to the
Moloch of militarism. The best way 20
avert this danger is believed to be the
further pursuance of policy of strict
neutrality between the belligerents. If
America be left to settle her differences
with Sain unhindered by foreign inter-
vention,i may be confidently anticipated
that wiser counsels will prevail and that
the question whether sr, she is Isl, to acquire
ed in favor of the former alternative.
Moderate views are understood to have
powerful adherents both in President
Mckinley himself and the Secretary Of
State, and it is noted here as favorable
sign that prominent members of the last
Administration have expressed them
selves in the same sense.