Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-09-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
An Englishman on Militarism-As Eng
land and Germany See us A
Sad War Episode.
Especial Correspondence

lie seems to me that the proposition
OF the car of Russia to the other pow
ers, which, in substance, proposes that
all the nations of Europe shall reduce
their standing armies, is one of the
most important papers that has been
given to the world in modern times, -
said Mr.. Edmund Frailey of London the
other day.
II believe that in making this pro
posal Gar Nicholas is actuated by the
slncerest desire to benefit humanity,
and the governments ought to receive
his suggestion in the same spirit that
prompted him to offer it. Here at the
close Of the nineteenth century it seems
to me is good time to put an end to
the rampant militarism that has dom
mated Europe for all these centuries.
Russia, in the very front of powerful
nations, can we'll afford to be leader in
this movement, which, if carried into
effect, cannot fail TO rebound to the in
terest of all mankind.
"Now, as to England, know full
we'll that all idea of war is repugnant
to the queens subjects and l think
England wonld be glad TO see general
tendency toward disarmament. To keep
on such war footing as the first class
powers are now obliged to maintain is
a strain that the richest and strongest
would be glad to throw off permanently.
mi &c
tical l cannot say. Certainly no nation
would like to take the initiative and
it is doubtful whether an agreement
could be reached between them all.
The tone of the French press, l see, is
skeptical, and evidently the proposition
is looked on in Paris as utopian.
but one thing can be done that will
have tendency to discourage future
wars. The very moment that an ALI
ance is entered into between England
and the United States it will be notice
to transatlantic people that contract
has been entered into to keep the worlds
peace, and that the parties to it are
strong enough to enforce the agreement
Russia, Germany, France, Italy and
the rest can then disband if they want
to, but whether they do or not they
will have precious little use for their
armies. -
AS England and Germany See Us.
Assistant Postmaster General Heath,
who returned from Europe, talked
rather freely. He said England seems
to regard the United States as coun-
try reaching out not only for terri
tory, but for power through alliances
with other nations with view TO en-
larging our commerce They regard us
as enterprising, grasping almost, and
the most progressive country on earth.
We have made great reputation
throughout all Europe by the war by
showing that we not only can but will
fight, and how speedily we can put our
selves on war footing. Europe now
expects the United States to have q first |
class navy and large standing army |
That is accepted abroad as our future |
plan. Europe also expects that we will |
hold all the countries we have acquired. |
Prominent Englishmen believe we
ought TO build the Nicaraguan canal |
md would like to enter into partner
ship with this government in this enter
Prise. All Europe expects us to hold the
except Germany. The Ger
mans favor joint protectorate, though
hey are willing that we should boss
he job, and they will be disappointed
f we shall not do it. They seem thor
'ughly convinced that our war for the
Jubans was only cover to our designs
o acquire territory, and they give us
10 credit for good faith in our profess
ions. There is an abundance of eyi
Ience of Germany's jealousy of us. -
A Sad War Episode.