The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-14

Then declaring that he intended to
make "a plain statement OF facts, un-
fettered by the mysteries and reticences
of the diplomacy OF half a century ago.
which, without revealing secret nego-
tiatons, should be understood OF the
people,, =" Mr.. Chamberlain said he would
accept the judgment of the people as
willingly as that OF the wisest diplo-
matist In the world.
Referring to the policy of strict iso-
lation that England has pursued since
the Crimean war; the secretary re-
marked that this had been perfectly
justihable.' but. he added "the time
has arrived when Great Britain may be
confronted by combination OF powers.
and our first duty therefore is to draw
all parts of the empire into close unity,
and our next to maintain the bonds OF
permanent unity with our kinsmen
across the Atlantic. There is power
full and generous nation" said Mr.. Cham
berlain. speaking our language. bred OF
our race and having interests Identical
with ours. / would go so far as to say
that. terrible as war may be, even war
itself would be cheaply purchased IL in
a great and noble cause the stars and
together over an AngloSaxon alliance.
II is one OF the most satisfactory results
OF Lord Salisburys policy that at the
present time these two great nations
understand each other better than they
have ever done since. over century ago.
they were separated by the blunder OF
a British government"
Mr.. Chamberlain proceeded to draw
gloomy picture OF the situation in China,
where we have to count with Russia,
as in Afghanistan, except that we do
not possess an army or a defensive from
tier in China, ard cannot therefore in
Jure Russia without an ally. The fate
OF the whole Chinese empire is involved;
and our interests are so enormous that
no more vital question was ever pre-
sented for decision to the British nation
and British government. Unless the
fate of China is to be decided without
England's voice, we must not reject the
idea OF an alliance with those powers
whose interesis are similar TO ours"
The Times. commenting upon Mr..
chamberlain's speech. says: "Mr.
Chamberlain was assured beforehand
Of the approval OF the whole body OF the
UnionIsts when contending ~. n. must
draw closer the ties binding US TO the
colonies II was almost as much a fore
gone conclusion that the opportunity
should be seized Of establishing perman-
ent relations OF amity and something
more with the United States. whose sue
cess in the operations that have lately
taken place has been welcomed here as
not only justified by the goodness Of her
cause. but as a tribute 10 the practical
capacity OF the Anglo-Saxon race In the
btlness of war. even when no adequate
preparation for the struggle had been
made"
The Daily Chronicle welcomes Cham
berlains brave and historic plea for an
Anglo-Amcrican alliance"
The Morning Post says. "Mr. Cham
berlain insists that ~ IL only his own
aspiration when he declared we should
seek an Anglo-Saxon alliance; but We
doubt that this open mOuthed diplomacy
will suit Lord Salisbury's arrangements
at a moment when Spain and America
are involved In a contest IN with We are
neutrals."
The Standard, applaudlng Mr.. Cham
berlain's stand, says: There IN not the
smallest reason 60 nupposc that his con-
victions arr not shared by every NOM
Der OF the cabinet. They had been an
ticipated by most men who have tried
TO look below the surface current ~
diplomacy; and the special quality which
he has Impaired 10 the declaration vng
the emphasis OF concentrated and un-
adulterated truth. We are liable at any
moment 10 be confronted by n combina-
/ ton Of all the European powers Tire
contingency should not be dismissed ~
impossible merely because IL would be
startlingly unpleasant. Already we have
endesvorcd with no small success 20
draw all parts OF our vast empire 20.
gether In the firm determination 20 CO.
operate for the common defense nor
can it be said that there II anything
hacking In our feeling Of regard and
friendship for the great Kindred com.
munity on the other side ~ the Atlantic"