The evening times., 1898-05-17

There is not the least use in getting
hysterical over the increasing evidence
that our dilatory war movements and
the jingo speech of Mr.. Joseph Cham
berlain have combined to create a hos
tile feeling against us in continental
Europe. There are alleged develop
ments which. if founded upon fact,
present the possibility OF serious even
Qualities. The most important of these
is the statement that Japan intends to
enter vigorous protest against our
capture and occupation of the Philip
pine archipelago. and has solicited the
cooperation of Russia and Germany
in support of it. Such thing might
be true, but, if so, it will be rather
surprising. We were under the i'm
preston that Japan, while coveting the
islands, was satisfied that to seize them
would be resented by Europe, and
hence was more glad than otherwise To
have the United States in possession
rather than - them parceled "ut
between othei y6ons.
We doubt if Russia, at this stage of
the evolution of events, would under
a
movement. The Novoe Vremya, Of st
Petersburg. discussing the Chamberlain
speech, calls attention to the Ia; thai
this country is neither known mr. he
lieved to have made the least advance
in the direction of an Anglo-American
alliance. The Russian official organ is
entirely correct in this view. Such a
thing as formal offensive and defen-
siye alliance of Great Britain with
America, it is true. might be forced
upon both by the common and active
hostility of Europe to each To the
present time, however, the entente"
between the two countries has gone no
further than a disposition on the part
of the British government and people
to exact fair play for us in our pun
itive action against Spain and a nasur-
al sentiment of gratitude on our eide
for that indication of frie adi;ness
1t has always been open to Pussia to
give substantial assurance Of the
friendship which has always Suosisted
between the Car and America. If the |
ultimate possibility of an Anglo-Amer- |
ican alliance is distasteful to Russia. |
and it is thing to be prevented if pos |
sible, the impolicy of joining with Japan |
in such an affront as the alleged pro-
test would be considered by the Ameri- |
can people, must be evident. Such a |
course would precipitate the necessity /
for the very thing which We assume
that the Concert powers would like to
avert. They may be sure that revolu-
tionary as it would be for this Gov
ernnent to face about and adopt a |
policy totally at variance with its past
history, traditions and political princf-
pies as applied to international affairs.
there would not be the slightest hesi-
tatfon in taking the step if it were
found to be necessary for the main
tenance of national interests, dignity
and safety.
From this point of view, there is a
very clear issue presented to the courts
and cabinets of the Old World. 1t is
our earnest desire to be on terms Of
trade and amity with all these ma
tions; but it is also our determination
to expel Spain from the Western Hem
isphere, to free Cuba, to take and per-
hold Porto Rico. and to re-
tain and maintain possession Of the
Philippine Islands. Violent interfer-
ence with any Of these purposes in all
probability would drive us unalterably
into an active alliance with Great Brit
ain. Acquiescence in our policy and
program in these respects on the part
Of Russia and Germany would enable
is to complete the task upon which ve