The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-01
Our Foreign Relations.

There are beginning 10 appear in our
dispatches shadowy limitations that
some of the Powers of Europe would like
an opportunity TO occur which would af-
ford them an excuse to interfere in our
war with Spain for the purpose of helping
Spain out of her trouble. For instance, 1t
was said in our dispatches yesterday
that Germany would probably protest
against the bombardment of Manila. that
great activity was noticeable in the ship
yards of France and that the press Of
Russia was showing hostility to US be-
cause of the belief that we have entered
into some sort of an alliance with Great
Britain.
As matter of fact we have no real
friend in all the world. We have follow
ed the advice of Washington and kept free
of all entangling alliances. The time has
come when 1t may be doubted whether
that advice should continue to be the basis
of our foreign policy. In Washingtons
time we were weak 1t was advisable for
us not to become involved In European
politics and policies. But the situation
has changed. We are now one of the
most powerful nations of the world. Our
commerce extends to every quarter of the
globe and we are interested in still furth-
er extending our trade interests. Nothing
is done anywhere which does not affect
US either directly or indirectly. Hence,
the question arises whether we shoule not
have a. voice in all the great questions
which agitate the world.
Ex-Seeretary Of State Olney discussed
this subject interestingly in an article
IN the April number of the Atlantic
Monthly. He declared that the impression
had got abroad in Europe that we are "a
nation of sympathizers and sermonizers
and swaggerers" and that we are ready to
accept advantages for which we refuse TO
pay our share of the price" For instance,
he said we wanted the Armenian butch
cries stopped, but we were not willing to
help put q stop to them, and we wanted
a share of the trade of China, but we
were not willing to join Great Britain
against Germany, Russia and France to
compel those Powers to make the Chinese
ports tuSy udu SelISu Tree pOI6Ss III
doubtedly there are strong reasons why
we should cease to occupy an isolated po-
siton in foreign matters.
That Great Britain would like to have a
better understanding with us is apparent.
Her sympathy is with us In the present
war, and the thought has been frequently
advanced that an alliance between the
two nations would be highly beneficial to
civilization. Together they would be in
vincible, and, hence, would promote peace.
No nation would care to attack them, and
their influence would be sufficient, in
all probability, to prevent the outbreak of
war between other nations-especially a
war which would affect their interests
disasterously. At present there is no
movement to bring Great Britain and the
United States into closer relations, but 1t
is worthy of notice that one statement,
which Ambassador Hay made in a speech
at the Easter banquet at the Mansion
House in London, was heartily approved
in this country and England. The state
ment was as follows: THE good under
standing between US is based upon some
thing deeper than mere eXpedency. All
who think cannot but see there is a sane
ton like that of religion which binds us
in partnership In the serious work of the
world"