The record-union., 1898-06-07

dian possessions be handed over to the
United States, with q tariff system and
a market precisely adapted to their eco
nomic requirements?
These are illustrations of the prac-
ucal spirit in which the projected al
lance between the two countries is
tentatively discussed by thoughtful
men in England.
Since reference is made to the under
current of English opinion rather than
to the foam and sparkle of press dis
cussion on the surface. it is necessary
to speak of the conservatism of Eng
land and America as ill-advised and
calculated. to do more harm than good.
Many Of the truest friends of America
in England take this view. They con-
tend that the two countries under an
improved state of good feeling already
have all the practical advantages OF
an alliance. without any of the incon-
veniences and drawbacks. They assert
that England, by her enforcement Of
neutrality obligations and coaling reg
ulatiOns, and by her refusal to unite
with the European Powers in any
scheme of Intervention in the Cuban al
fair has promoted international amity
to her. They are confident that Amer
leans will remember England's friend
ship and kind offices, and that whenever
suitable opportunity arises they viii
return the favor, on the principle that
one good turn deserves another. They
consider mutual good will more i'm
portant than the formal engagements
of an alliance with the inevitable dis
cussion of compensating advantages
and full equivalents, which is likely to
produce irritation and friction.
These are not the opinions of OBJ
structionists, but of practical and eau
tious men, who consider that artificial
attempts to bring about an alliance be-
fore public opinion in either country
will only serve to retard and hamper
a movement rich in promise for the
future of the Anglo-SaXOn race. They
believe that the trend of events ana
the stream of race tendencies are point
ing in the direction Of an alliance be-
tween the two countries, but apple-
hend the peculiar action on either side
may prove detrimental to common in
terests.
Let well enough alone" they say, in
effect. Events are marching rapidly;
tendencies are operating surely, if 81
| from any forcing process, but should
be a natural and spontaneous growth
We already have a state of internation-
al 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 en-
tangle ourselves with definite pledges
and engagements, which may ombar-
rass us and interrupt the course of good
feeling"
Another argument which is also
urged by conservative Englishmen is
based upon the fact that there can be
! no secret alliance between England and
America, as there is between Russia
and France. 1t Is not denied that the
prestige of France has been greatly in
creased in Europe by virtue of it's con-
fidential relations with Russia, but it
is asserted with confidence that if the
precise terms of partnership were re-
vealed there would be discomfort on
one side or the other, and the alliance
| would cease to have any practical
value. There can be secret en-
gagements, it is urged. between Eng
land and America. Each nation will
have to be taken into the confidence
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 ordi-
nary secrets of diplomacy which re-
main inscrutable mysterious until the
time comes for joint action. An Anglo
American alliance will be exposed TO
the full glare of publicity and parti-
san criticism. For this reason many
wary Englishmen believe that events
should be allowed to take their course
and an alliance be deferred until it is
imperatively required by common in
terests. 1t is not because they under
rate the Importance of American CO.
operation with England. 1t is because
they value American friendship so high
ly that they do not want to take he
! risk Of having it clouded with misun-
derstandings over definite engagements.