The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-16

the cards by every means in her power,
and, as 1 shall show. not being particu-
lar whether this means is fair or foul
1t has been rather difficult to get to
the bottom of the hint, first thrown out
In the inspired British press and then
taken up by the Anglomaniac press of
New York, that, If 1t had not been for
England, we should have seen a 'con-
cert OF powers" playing the dead march
over our war with Spain. 1t even went
sc far that one story, believed by many,
had it that England said to the powers:
IF our fleet Is needed, it will be rendered
to the American government, and, If
you fellows don't like it, you can lump
it."
The British government allowed this
impression to go uncorrected. When
questioned about 1t by a reporter. who
interviewed him as he was landing in
New York, Mr.. Chamberlain refused
to say anything about it, his mysterious
manner leading the reporter to believe
that all the stories, and even more,
were true.
POSSIBLE PROTEST.
I have received, from a source I can
not help believing is advised Of just
what transpired, the statement that the
only question that ever came into the
minds Of any European powers was in
relation to whether or not they should
take any action or make any protest
or seek any explanation in case Ameri-
can ships bombarded or set out to bonn
bard the Spanish coast In the inter-
view with Secretary Of State Hay, on
his recent arrival in America after
leaving his post Of ambassador in Lon
don, he is reported to have said: I
have read in the papers that some
proposition looking to European inter-
ference in the war was made by France
and Germany to Lord Salisbury's gov
ernment Such may have been the case.
but 1 can truthfully say that, If such
proposition was made, 1t never came
to my official knowledge So far as I
could observe, the attitude Of those
governments was all that we could
have desired or asked"
We have the same assurance from
Ambassador White in Berlin and AM
bassador Porter in Paris.
In the heat Of war many r11mors. en-
tirely without foundation and Of no
advantage to publish, found their way
over the cable, but the impression that
England prevented a concert of
powers" being called to Interfere in our
affair with Spain is one of the most
mischtevous that could be encouraged.
1t is simply preposterous, and when
Mr.. Chamberlain or any other member
of Lord Salisbury's cabinet purposely
fosters it's growth in America he acts
In bad faith with the American people.
1t is true that the English people at
large favored the American end Of the
controversy, but it should be remem-
bered that they were more familiar
with the American side of 1t than the
people Of Europe, and when the real
questions at issue were understood
they admitted Of no argument Con-
sequently it reflects no especial credit
upon q Christian nation that it favored
the side Of right where right and
wrong were as apparent as in Amer
ica's dispute with Spain.
POWERS NEUTRAL.
The governments Of France and Ger
many were as neutral and no more so
than that of England and for the i'm
pressions early In the war unfavorable
to America we can thank the way the
news was handled on the continent.
If Mexico were at war with Portugal
I dare say Americans would for some
time be more familiar with the Mexi-
can contentious, in spite Of the fact
that America has the most enterpris-
ing and fairest press in the world
And always in considering seriously
the affairs of the Old World the Ameri-
can at home should not forget the
meager facilities for obtaining reliable
news here and the local flavor given
1t before it is put on the wire. Very
often the Interpretation Of reliable
facts is so at variance with their true
meaning that even the editors In Amer
lea are made to appear foolish. Wit
ness the recent alleged downfall Of Ii
Hung Chang and the end of Russia's
influence in Chinese policy. England
may in the end have more power In
China than Russia, which is doubtful,
but in any event the temporary put
ting aside Of Ii was no foundation for
the conviction so widely expressed that
British influence would prevail.
That Chinese puzzle is indeed a puz-
zle. From the nature Of her position
and her persistent policy Russia seems
to be far ahead Of other powers in
solving it. I find many persons here
who agree perfectly with the editorial
opinion put forth in The st. Paul
G O b e recently, to the effect that
whatever may happen to China will
make comparatively little difference to
Americas future dealings with that
country. America is bound to trade
with China and is certain to be on
a more favorable footing than France,
Germany or England.
AMERICAS NEED.
I have read with greatest interest
Mr.. J. J. HIS address at the Com
mercial Club Of st. Paul on the sub
ject Of Americas need of a merchant
marine, especially on the Pacific. There
is no question whatever Of the inper-
ative need Of American vessels on all
the open seas of the world to help the
American manufacturer in his growing
foreign trade. 1t would do more than
anything else to hasten that ambition
Of many American bankers to make
New York the clearing house of the
world instead Of London.
But L can only express the wish that
Mr.. Hill had carried his splendid ar
guments little further and explained
that his estimated limited cost for
maintaining a merchant marine on the
Pacific implies no departure from
americas traditional foreign policy of
G,.s.1 7-l.s