The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-05-01


hant with oas g.ea oI fdr-rtachlng
important H., a-s LIE immediate
contestants. -.I a.. very country
under the sun EEe-..zr or moi th-
geography OF lie Sob DC altered, it
is certain that oLheI .4uses viii occur
affecting tie future ll,I .zaiiCn OF man
KIND as much as any new markings
on the map.
The closing years OF the eighteenth
century witnessed au evolution as well
as q revolution in human affairs, and
there is more Ihan q Likelihood OF ms
1ary creating itself ia the closing y ars
Of the nineteenth century. In short,
there Is a toe in the Affairs Of nations,
as in the analrs OF men, that leads 10
fOI tune if taken at the flood.
il is not eXtraNaS an, TO say that soon
er or later the United states may be
confronted with = European comDina-
tion or coalition The temper and ten
dency OF cont mental governments has
nearly always been TO take advantage
of any complication in the Western
Hamisuhere. As Tar back as 1923. when
the former Spanish colon Is in Mexico
and South America had reb5lled anu
become independent, because Spain was
TOO weak 10 make th=m submit there
were strong suspicious that some Of the
other governments q Europe meant t.
he,p the Dons. Then il was that the
Monroe doctrine was promulgated, Il
effect that the United States would no.
view with Indifference an attempt by
any natiGn of Europe to reduce an
independent nation of North or South
America 10 the condition Of colony.
And during our civil war, France
aided by Spain. overturned the repub-
lican government G. Mexico. We could
do nothing then TO resist this contempt
lille conduct. and France accordingly
made Mexico an empire with Ma&!hlli-
ian. an Austrian aTchduke, as emperor.
When the civil war came to close,
however. France was compelled L.
withdraw her troops by this Govern
Inent. and a little later, Macmillan was
captured and shot by the Mexicans.
Curicusly enough. the present Emper-
or Of Austria. Francis Joseph, Is
grandson Of the author OF the same
holy alliance that brought into exist
tnce the Monroe doctrine. And What Is
more. the Austrian Emperor is the
brother OF the Macmillan VINO lost his
life in trying 10 establish monarchy
in Mexico Then, too, there IS the close
relationship between Francis Joseph
and the Spanish Queen Regent.
sons Why Austria may yet make an al
lance with Spain in the present war.
Nor would il be strange II france
should also show her sympathy with
the Spaniards in a very practical way
The two nations are q the same blood
and besides, q great many OF the span
ish bonds are held by French bankers
Then. too. France never had any great
love for this country. The only time
she ever helped US any was during tbs
Revolution, when she co-operate1 WITH
us. not because she loved US less, bu'
because she hated England more.
Consequently, il is something more
than mere suppOsiti0n TO say that there
may be a coalition against US, especial
Iy in view Ct the recent utterances OF
different foreign ministers.
There is a possibility, too. that ever
Germany and Italy may side with
Spain. judging from certain ''straws'
that now and then come to the surface
The truth is. the sight Of the loren Of
Liberty is just as repugnant TO the mon
archs Of the old world as a tyrant OF
horseback And whether it be our ma
ton or Napoleon, We may find sooner
or later that European potentates re
gard both with the same aversion
On the other hand. there is every
reason to believe that England vii
stand by the United States in the pres
ent war. The two nations have beer
drawing nearer and nearer together OF
late years. and their interests are be
coming more and more Identical Be
ing q the same blood, it would only
seem natural that Great Britain should
espogse our side Of the controversy
with Spain
No matter what may occur in the
way Of combinations and coalitions
h. igf &c 10
frauEht with consequences Of tremen-
dOus import 10 both continents. 1t is
no easy matter 70 'iOcaliZe' war. and
the muse Of history may have 10 chron-
icle internecine strife on both sides OF
the Atlantic before the curtain falls or
the bloody drama OF Cuba" As ons
distinguished diplomat put the case q
me. Gong to war is like shutting VI
lot Of men with poisoned knives in q
dark room. They are apt TO stab one
another indiscriminately. and no one
knows who viii escape uninjuTed from
the awful experience"
il was in view Of the possible con
tingencies above outlined that ! sought
the most experienced diplomats in
Washington in order to learn theil
views on the subject Perhaps no one
is better fitted 10 discuss the presen
outlook than Gen. John w. Foster, z
g
as Secretary Of State in President Har.
rison's Cabinet, and who has Travelled
all over the globe. besides acting a:
counsel for many countries at critica
periods in their careers.
4 do not think that the peace Of Eu-
rope VIII be disturbed by the present
war" said Mr.. Foster 10 me. But. OF
course. no one can fCresee what vii
happen. The chances are that NJ
other nations than Spain and tht
United States viii take TO arms
This Is not the first time that govern.
ments have interviewed between war
ring parties And the fact that We
have interviewed in Cuban affairs does
not mean that We win be confronted
with a European coalition our &C
ton does not establish any new doctrin,
in international law. We are certainly
within the bounds OF propriety in thi,
respect Hence ] think that the chances
are very much against the peace
OF Europe being disturbed To my way
Of thinking the danger Of a continental
war comes from the complication
growing out OF the Chinese question
which. for the moment, seems to have
dropped out Of sight
n does not follow that other nations
VIII side with Spain because Their bank
ers hold the bonds OF the latter cOun
try. ] think that most Of the Spanish
bonds are held in Par.s, and hence j.
IS 10 the interest Of the French gov,
eminent 10 keep the Spanish nation OF
its feet. Nor do ] see why Italy o
Austria should be drawn into the fight
Unless I am very much mistaken, ths
United States and Spain viii be allowed
20 settle their differences without inter
ference from other quarters OF tn,
sy9ohe There Is no reason thar I car