Middletown transcript., 1898-09-03
SHALL We AID ENGLAND?
Business Reasons For an An
glo-American Union.
HELPING HER WE HELP OURSELVES

The Markets Of China the Prize For Which
the Great Powers of Europe Are Play
ing . Game-The Importance of These
Markets to the United States.
It is time, says the London corre-
spondent of the New York Sun, that a
plain statement should be made of the
reasons why many Americans who are
still anti English Ito use the most con-
venient phrase) in their sympathies are
in favor of American cooperation with
Great Britain in the grave international
crisis which confronts the world. The
sudden disappearance of animosities
which two years ago were hot and the
substitution of an apparent cordiality
which is all but unanimous are not to
be explained by merely the benevolent
neutrality which the British govern
ment has manifested toward the United
States during the war with Spain.
There are other and more potent, il also
more sordid, motives on both sides than
platonic friendship and gratitude.
1t may be cynical to distrast the dis
play Of brotherly or cousinly affection
now witnessed on both sides Of the At
lantic, but it is common sense. 1t is a
hard but practical political axiom that
all international compacts are based
upon self interest. There have been
many and ardent protestations Of affec-
ton for the American people made dur
ing the past few months by Englishmen
Of all stations in life. These expressions
have been sincere, that I do not ques-
tion. I do not deny, however, that there
exists genuine love Of America as a
nation by Great Britain as nation.
EngIishmen as a people are incapable
Of real affection for any other country
or countrymen than their own, and it
is no disparagement Of them to say SO.
What has happened in Great Britain
is simply this: Englishmen have dis
covered-at least they never recognized
the truth beforo-the immense poten-
tialities of the United States for reshap-
ing international destinies, and with
the discovery has come the realization
of the fact that only by the aid OF
American influence can grave disasters
to the prestige and prosperity OF the
British empire be averted. Moreover,
England is willing to pay what she con-
siders to be q fair price for the neces-
sary cooperation. That is the basis OF
the whole matter. Sentiment has moth
ing to do with it, and the quicker it is
dismissed from consideration in conneo-
tion with the question of an Anglo
American understanding the better it
will be-for America.
It comes, then, to o discussion OF pro-
posed terms Of bargain, and it is impor-
tant to be perfectly frank in dealing
with them. ] do not propose to consider
these details, but instead to point out
certain features Of the situation which
are not understood on this side Of the
ocean and which may not be fully ap-
preciated on yours.
First, as to the latest phase of the far
eastern crisis, for upon that everything
hinges: The point has practically been
reached when nothing short Of an un-
qualified threat of war from Great
Britain or from Great Britain and the
United States combined will suffice to
.,-o,,on4 &lo ;,,,roa5iako d;cv,ooYn 1,nr1O ont
of the Chinese empire. Some believe
that such q challenge from Great Brit
ain alone would be accepted, and that g
colossal struggle, involving all of Eu-
rope, would bring the century to an
end in blood. Very few doubt that il
England and America together inter
posed a veto, with war as the alterna-
tive, the ambitions of Russia and her
supporters would be sufficiently checked
without actually drawing the sword.
In other words, the addition Of an
American protest to the British against
the division Of China would have an
influence toward peaceful rather than
a bellicose solution Of the question.
It is we'll to indicate just here one OF
two of the consequences to the Ameri-
can people in case they refrain from in.
terfering in any way in the far east.
First, what will be the effect Of our re-
fusal upon the policy Of Great Britaini
The events of even the past few days
afford important indications upon this
point. It is becoming more and more
evident that Lord Salisbury's govern
ment will never single handed pursue
the policy Of resistance to Russian ag-
gression in Asia to the extremity of
war. There is no doubt that three
fourths Of the English people, without
regard to party, are disguised, exasper-
ated and humiliated by the weakness,
the cowardice if you will, Of the present
government But nevertheless Lord
Salisbury is apparently determined not
to assume the responsibility of war upon
this issue. There are scores of reasons
for his determination, but the uncom-
promising opposition to war for any
cause on the part Of the queen is one of
the strongest Of them. What then will
England do if she fails to secure Ameri-
can support and il the process Of hus-
tling her out of China continues, as it is
certain to do? The answer has been fore
shadowed with tolerable clearness for
weeks past She viii accept the policy
Of the dismemberment of the Chinese
empire and will seize what she can of
the spoils. This course of action was
indicated frankly enough by The Times
as long ago as April last, when it said:
"Let us define the area from which we
mean at all risks to exclude the polit-
dcal influence Of other powers and tell
them and the nation that any intrusion
within that area means war waged with
the whole force Of the empire. Then
and not till then will they cease to oust
us piecemeal from China"
The obvious question now arises, How