The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-17
Bria,h.Am.,iean Alliance.

HLELLH. HNHH.H#I
British American Alliance.
The speech OF Joseph Chamberlain, the
Brtish secretary OF state for the colo
niles, at Birmingham, Is exciting more
comment than the utterance OF any for
elgn statesman since the opening OF the
war. Though It has been ~var!ously con-
strued, as to It's full meaning, the logic
OF It clearly appears to be O warning to
oil other powers OF Europe, to NOT inter-
fere In the war between this country and
Spain.
The most significant remark made by
Mr.. Chamberlain was that terrible
as war is. 1t would be cheaply purchased
II in a great and noble cause the stars
and stripes and the union Jack should
wave together over the Anglo-saxon al
lance" This endorsement OF the JUS
tlce Of the American cause. by a member
OF the British cabinet, is taken as an In
dlcation that England may be counted
on the side, OF the United States should
an attempt be made by other powers to
interfere before the Issue Is settled be-
tween the two countries at war.
The press In England seems to re-
gard Mr.. chamberlain's remarks as
semi-oflcial, II not q direct utterance for
the government, and comments favor
ably upon It. The Times goes so far as
to say that recent American successes
have been welcomed In England as a de-
monstratlon Of the ability OF the Anglo
Saxon race In war, and also because
England believes IN the Righteousness
Of the position OF the United STILES.
It should be understood. and Is under.
stood by our government. that Great
Britain. in occupying the position she
does. is not moved wholly by uneelnsh-
ness. Back OF It all Is the hope that the
United States Will enter an alliance with
her against the world. q proposition
which 1t Is not probable this country
Will entertain. The United States has
no ambition to involve itself in agree
ments which might lead to endless COM
plicatIons, endangerlng the peace Of the
world. The people Of the country do not
desire an offensive or defensive agree
ment with England, or any other for
eign power, which would involve them
In the political disturbances Of Europe.
Aside from this consideration the peo-
Pile are thankful to England for the
sympathy she has for them. and It Is
possible that such conditions may be
brought about that this friendship may
stand US in'need. THERE'S no considera-
Bile sentiment among the wiser heads OF
this country in favor of alliances, which
might overturn our traditional policies
with regard to our foreign relations,
much as the benefit that Mr.. Chamber
lain's utterance at this time will be to us
is appreciated.
Speaking OF the definition by-SMr.
Chamberlain of the position of Great
Britain the New York Press takes this
ominous view:
The offense which his words will give
in every continental cabinet will be
grave! 1t must have been calculated.
SO held a definition OF the governments
position, so warm an expression OF off,
clal sympathy, Is not only a great bene-
fit to us in the precent juncture. but OF
the contrary to Great Britain. It
threatens such q disturbance, Of the bal
ancc Of world power as to make those
nations which have been accustomed
TO WELD It stand aghast. And here we
come to the part Of Mr.. Chamberlaln's
speech which reflects n possibility OF
foreign attack on Great Britain eve
more clearly than do the words we have
quoted indicate the possibility OF such
an assault on the United States. This
IL the phrase: The time may come
when the government may have to ap-
peal to the patriotism OF the people as a
whole" This plainly prefsures the
pressing in OF the "~Isulating" upon the
isolated" SoNthe two parts Of the
speech, taken together, may be fairly
said to mean that the Salisbury minis
try Is not without expectation, OF a gen.
eral war. In the course OF which 1t could
look only to this country for an ally.
It Is hoped on all sides that these
things may remain simply possibilities
and nothing else. Our contemporary is
of the opinion that there is no element
OF danger save the desire of the concert
OF Europe. which England seems to have
withdrawn from. to suppress freedom
wherever found. coupled with the nee
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