The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-26
AN ENGLISH ALLIANCE

AN ENGLISH ALLIANCE
II grows more and more apparent every
day that the English people are well-nish
unanimous in favor Of some sort Of union
between England and America that Will
enable each country TO feel that 1t can
rely upon the aid Of the other. if it should
be attacked by combination Of Powers
that threatened its existence.
Some two weeks back we had the speech
Of Mr.. Chamberlain. one Of the principal
members Of the English administration
government. declaring uneQuivocally for
such a union. The press Of England has
been discussing the matter, and it is ale
most unanimously in favor'of it, All that
comes to this country from the other side
shows that it is the one topic occupying
English Thought now, and that everybody
almost is I'm favor of The union.
In 1886 Mr. A. j. Balfour, next in posi-
tiop and authority In the Ministry to the
prime Minister. Lord Salisbury, made a
speech at Bristoi in which he used me
following language:
"If Edmund Burke had been tolG thA'
our brothers across the Atlantic VINO
have been the possessors of English ciV'
uization. having English laws, speaking
the English language, contributing 10
common literature. enjoying common
freedom with ourselves had forgotten an
Those things and thought only OK me
questions which had divided us ln lne
far past ] think that he would nave lei1
that if this represented the permanent
attitude of two branches of the Anglo
Saxon race no greater misfortune coulu
have fallen TO the race or 10 the MoIlu'
and his eloquent voice would nave Deen
raised. pleading for common lansutse'
of governments. and of hearts; piea"lhs
that English and American branches on
the Angl0-SaXon race should De JoiNeu
in an alliance not 20 be broken by Oh
controversies, but that each should "oiA
I'm fits sphere for propagation OF Anglo
Saxon ideas Of liberty government ana
order.
III We have not an Edmund Burke
either ON This side Of the Atlantic or on
The other. [ yet am we'll persuaded that
tbe generous sense of both great coun-
tries involved will speak even without
the mighty impulse of his voice ana thal
they will speak in the sense which j nave
indicated: and If that be so. and If We
I'm alliance with America can carry out
those duties which Providence has IN
trusted to us. ] DO not believe that TINS
empire need fear the menace OF external
foes. Still less do 1 believe II has any
thing &c fear from menace OF internal
division
Mr.. Palfour being asked within the past
few DAYS whether these were still his
sentiments, replied:
"The extract from my speech Of 1896.
though there are verbal errors IN IT, que
either 10 imperfect reporting or TO ln-
correct delivery. represents the opinions
which 1 have always held. which / stun
hold and which whether their full real
ization be possible in my lifetime or not
1 shall certainly never abandon
On Tuesday last Sir Charles Dixie and
Mr.. Henry Labouchcre endeavored, IN
the House Of Commons, 10 set the gov
ernmont TO fix a day for the discussion
Of Mr.. Chamberlains speech. and while
the government refused 10 name day
ubon their demand. it yet expressed its
self as willing and ready to do so as soon
as the request was preferred by a sufi-
cient number Of members TO justify it.
The government shows itself therefore.
ready and willing TO take the matter up
as soon as It is called upon properly to
meet it.
The case has reached a point which de-
mands that the people Of this country
shall give Il their most earnest and Sc
rious attention. The recent peril we have
seen of a European alliance against us
and the ripenoss Of England for an under
standing with us. make It imperative that
we shall consider the matter earnestly
and make up our minds what it is fitting
and right that we should do.
The prejudice against any foreign alli-
ance in this country is very deep-rooted
and it is founded in the soundcst princi-
pies OF public policy. 1t will very proba-
bly, be found therefore, impossible TO
bring the people Of the United States TO
consent to an alliance In name with
| Great Britain. even supposing the thing
were desirable. But It seems to The
| Times that everything which IT,, situa-
| ton demands could be accomplished With
OUT any formal alliance between the two
countries. If. for instance. we had an
arbitration treaty with England by which
we agreed 70 submit all questions that
arose between the two countries 10 the
arbltratlon OF certain important parties
provided for by the treaty, all danger Of
| friction between the two countries would
pass away and a continuing bond Of am
nifty between them would be secured IL
then we added an agreement that II
either country were attacked by a com
binaiion Of European countries the other
would 20 to tho aid OF the one attacked.
we should not involve ourselves in the
qusrrels which Great Britain got into
with Powers that she was able 10 hold
her own against, but by force Of the