The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-09
"OPEN DOOR"
England Not Alone to Stand
as Guardians.

London, Dec. S.--Joseph Chamber
lain, secretary of state for the colonies,
speaking at a conservative gathering
in Wakefield Yorkshire, this evening,
fully discussed home and foreign af-
fairs and the governments policy in
Egypt, which, he said, depended entire
~ upon the possibility of reaching an
understanding with France, "a thing
which is impossible so long as the
French pursue a policy of exaspera-
ton"
With regard to the relations between
Great Britain and Russia, in connec-
ton with the far east, he said that
while hitherto the endeavors to reach
an agreement had failed, he believed an
agreement with Russia was necessary
unless very serious complications were
to be encountered. There were, he
continued, no insurmountable obstacles
to an agreement. On the contrary, it
was quite possible to cou@siiate the
reasonable ambition of Russia with the
fixed policy of Great Britain to MAIN
tatin equal opportunities of trade for
all nations.
Il am more sanguine of arriving at a
settlement" said Mr.. Chamberlain, "be-
cause it is not for our interest 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 OBJ
served the very pregnant passage in
the recent message of President Nc
kinley to the United States congress,
the passage referring to very importan4
interests of America in the east, in
which he declares that these interests
snail not be prejudiced by exclusive
treatment That is a very noteworthy
passage. and without being a prophet
l think I shall not be too sanguine if |
say that in the future we shall not
stand alone as guardians Of the open
door
Mr.. Chamberlain then referred to the
charge of inconsistency brought
against him in bOasting Of Great Brit
aims splendid isolation" and then
touting for alliances. He said: when
l referred to isolation, I meant the
isolation of the British empire, COM
prising the United Kingdom and our
children over seas who are well able to
defend their own possessions and their
own exclusive interests against all at
tacks; but. surely, il is not unreason-
able to seek an alliance and to expect
cooperation where the interests in
VOWED are those of others as well as
ourselves.
I'm the case of Germany we have
ascertained by a friendly and frank
interchange Of opinion, there are many
interests regarding which we can as
sist one another l think l may hope
that in the future the two nations, the
greatest naval and the greatest mill
tary power, will come more frequently
together and that our joint influence
will be used on behalf of peace and of
unrestricted trade.
But If l congratulate you on the
development of good feeling between
US. and a great continental state,
still more do I rejoice at the
growth of friendly relations be
tween ourselves and our col
onies. between ourselves and the
United States. Already the United
States, if regarded from the stand
point of potential resources, is the
greatest OF civilized staues-with its i'm
mense population of intelligent citizens.
chiefly Anglo-SaXons and, if we are
assured of the Anglo-Saxon race,
whether it abides under the stars and
stripes or the union jack there is no
other combination that can make us
afraid.
Replying late in the proceedings to
a vote of thanks for his address, Mr..
Chamberlain said he hoped ere many
years had passed to see a federation
Of the empire, with colonial represent
atives in the imperial parliament. Re
ferring to a personal allusion to his
Setting a good example in forwarding
the hoped for alliance with the United
States by marrying an American he
said: so many Englishmen are fol-
lowing the example that l think it quite
possible the alliance may be accom-
plished without the Interference of gov
ernments." (Laughter)