The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-08-27

June Mr.. Stanley pushes this thrust
further home. He reviews the reverses
which England has suffered at Athens,
at Constantinople, at Toxic, and at
Pekin, and points to the conclusion
that England must ally herself with
some strong nation or cease to be
powerful factor in the politics of the
world.
Mr.. Stanley's proposition is that
Great Britain is not strong enough to
stand alone either against the triple al
lance Of Germany, Austria and Italy
or against the dual alliance of France
and Russia. IF the fates forbid our
Joining the triple alliance" he says,
'the alternatives before us then are
either an active and obstinate resis-
lance to the dual alliance or a groval-
ing quiescence, with curtailment of en-
pire and decline of power" With un-
colored lucidity Mr.. Stanley analyses
the recent failures of British diplo-
macy. He taunts the London govern
ment with it's impotence to stop the
Armenian massacres, to protect Greece
from Turkey, or to stay the march of
the Russian empire eastward. He tells
how the massacres in Armenia contin-
ued without even a check from Lord
Salisburys warnings and threats. "The
dual alliance" he says, processes to
see selfish design in all that we pro-
pose The triple alliance assumes in
difference and states: The whole
Eastern question is not worth the bones
of single Pomeranian grenadier.' The
threat of Russia to meet coercive meas
ures with force paralyzes us, for behind
Russia is France. We are indeed SPLEEN
didly isolated"
However, it Is not the extinction of
British influence on the European con.
tinent that most deeply disturbs Mr..
Stanley, but the series of defeats which
have marked the swift decline Of Brit
ish influence in East Asia. He deplores
most bitterly the inroads which Russia
is making in China. 1t is the loss of Man
chooria and Port Arthur to Russia that
moves him more deeply than the failure
Of England to dominate Crete or res
cue Armenia. 1t is the approach of
France to the upper Yang-Tse valley
which excites his alarm more keenly
than the slaughter of Armenians or
Cretans touches his humanity. He
foresees in the Franco-Russian ma
chinations in East Asia the promise |
of a general upheaval and disintegra-
tion Of oriental nations; not that he |
cares a rap for the nations that are to |
be rent asunder and apportioned |
among the continental powers, for Mr.. |
Stanley writes pnrely from a British |
point of view. He knows no interest |
except self-interest, and he knows no |
except such as will rebound
to the profit and might of England.
What he seeks is merely some alliance
by which England can assure herself of
her share of the plumber.
Naturally, in looking about for help,
Mr.. Stanley comes upon Mr.. Chamber
latn's policy of an Anglo-American al
lance. While he evidently would re-
gard such an alliance as most welcome,
he SENS to think England never will
be able to obtain it. A person reading
between the lines can see clearly WHY
ne is thus hopeless in matter in which
Joseph Chamberlain and Arthur ]. Bal
four have been so sanguine. He can
of no reason why the United
States should be moved to close such
an alliance. Under no circumstances
would the Washington government be
able to gain any benefit corresponding
IN the slightest degree with the compIi-
cations which it would be Obliged to
assume. In his discussion of the uues-
ton he shows that he is utterly unable
to perceive any advantage which the
United States would derive from ally
Ing her interests with those of Great
Britain. The Anglomaniac's idea that
We would gladly give our American
blood and our American treasure mere
y for phantom sentimentality with
tut receiving single substantial bene-
1t in return, does not appeal to Mr..
sense of practical politics. He
Knows America better than does Mr..
chamberlain. and infinitely better than
ioes Mr.. Balfour. Therefore he is able
o judge much more intelligently than
either exactly what we would have to
win or lose by entangling ourselves
With an oldworld power.
Mr.. Stanley has done a real service
o loyal Americans by telling the world
plainly just why England needs us.
md needs us badly. Any American
Who reads his article can see at a
dance how complete is England's iso-
alton and how urgent Is her demand
or aid, says the Chicago Inter Ocean.
Come over into Asia and help u.s." is
he burden of her constant cry across
he Atlantic, but, with the facts before /
lin, it seems impossible that any IN, I
elligent and patriotic American would