New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-27
Mr.. BRYCE on ANGLO-SAiON UNION.

Mr. BRYCE on ANGLO-H1AON CNioN'
Mr. Rryce's plea for. or vindicaton Of. Anglo
Saxon union. in "The Atlantic Monthly Tor
July. is noteworthy in many respects 'hV'
that Mr. Bryce is one Of the foremost thinkers
and writers in the English speaking world
Another that he is the BritOn who or all KNOWS
America best-so well. indeed. that he has be-
como ono of the foremost teachers Of Americans
of things pertaining 10 their own country \
third that he is A leader Of that British school
of craftsmanship which is continually peihg
hnl1 IN as an example and q rebuke 10 those
Americans who are charged with the heinouS
sins of "Jingoism' and "Imperasm. when
any one wants to learn all he can about our
system Of government and american institu-
tions" i'm general he turns to Mr.. Bryces books.
When any austere restrictiOnSt wants to rcbuke
Americans cruShngy for seeking To foIlow 10
its logical conclusion the policy OF territorial ex-
tension founded by Adams and Jefferson ana
maintained by their best successors he points
10 Mr.. Bryce as a type OF what we Shouid strive
10 he. 1t looks. therefore, as though Mr.. bryc's
words on this topic should be accepted as words
Of soberneSs and truth.
The practical narrowing OF the world by the
use Of steam and electricity has caused the an
sorption or subordination Of the lesser Powers,
until now there are only i've real world Powers
four in Europe and one in America and only
four world races Among the four European
Powers there are 10 special atlntles nor nat
ural alliances They are Of different races and
SPIRITS. all Jealous OF each other and some or
them actually hostile such alliances as ere
formed are purely artificial and not enduring.
one Of the Powers. Great Britain. however.
looking across the Atlantic, sees III the ntth
world Power a nation between which ana her
self strong natural affinity exists. with no
jealousies nor antagOnisms. The two are one In
race in character. in temper in habits In be-
liefs in ideals In spite of apparent eS'range-
ments the two lave always been closer together
than any other Powers. For generation ago,
when Great Britain seemed unfriendly 10 the
United States. the masses Of her pcop!c we're
politically yOiceess. Now they have found
commanding voice. and it speaks nnIniStakablv
for friendship and the closest Of relations with
their kin beyond the sea
Another influence that has Of late made
powerfully for union is the Increase Of knowl-
edge of each other gained by visiting between
the two countries. Years ago the knowledge
each had of each was derived chiefly from
newspaper publications and from Government
actions. and /; is sadly true, a. Mr.. Bryce says
that both of these tended 10 misrepresentation.
Governments are brought into contact and
moved 20 action by differences. and newspapers
''arc prone to dwell on points Of difference more
'than on points Of agreement. i is unluckily.
''thc bitter things that are said in one country
"abOut another that are most frequently copied
Unto the newspapers Of the latter Every OBJ
serving man knows This has been ard is
largely true Therefore it is Of inesrimabe adj
vantage that the TWO nations are coming 10
know each other through personal contact and
observation. and are finding out that they are
vastly more alike and closer together than they
ever before imagined. Substantial identity OF
thought and feeling between the two peoples IS
Mr. Brycc's phrase, and nlncty-nine out Of every
hundred fair.minded and intelligent visitors TO
either country from the other will testify that il
IS not bit too strong.
There are Mr. Bryce thinks, and rightly. some
obvious difficulties in the way of formal ALI
ance. but they are not insurmOunlablc. Whether
or not such an alliance is ever TO be formed IS
a question not yet answered. Bur This may be
reckoncd sure that If II should be formed L
would not be a menace 10 the rest Of the world,
but would he protection 10 it and guarantee
of peace That ia a point that cannot be too
often or too vigorously urged. There are. OF
course. those who dispute IT, And yet they are
the very ones who insist that the present Triple
Alliance has been the great peace-kccper of the
world for the last twenty years If such an al
lance, founded articiaIly upon fears and
hatreds. IS potent for peace, far more SO would
he one between the two most peaceful Powers
in the world. founded upon natural afiinitics
friendship love Of peace and desire for progress
and universal goodwill.