The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-11
SUNDAY. DECEMBER Il, 1898.
BETTER THAN A PAPER ALL
ANCE.

Tho cable stated yesterday that the
1.ondon Times. commenting upon The
prospect of an alliance between England
and America. said the evidences OF
strong opposition 20 the annexation
poIicy in the United States and the
rumors that America will resell the Phil
ippines will not distub 1t. "Despite all
this II SAYS. Eve Believe that the far
eastern interests of the United States
and England will be brought into lire
and be Jointly safeguarded by combi-
nation so strong and imposing that no
other power or powers could venture TO
de,v r." N&
The talk of our selling the Philippine
Islands Is the verlest bosh. We did not
go TO war with Spain to plumber her ana
make money out Of her. We fought her
from tho highest impulses and motives
that can move a people. and We are not
now going 10 smirch ourselves and blur
our record by descending 10 the old world
tricks for accommodating money. We are
rich and don't need the market value OF
the Philippine Islands. but il we did, we
have self respect enough to resist the
temptations to fill our pockets at the ex-
pense OF our character. OF course this IS
entirely consistent with annexation of
IN. islands. For we do not doubt that
those who desire their annexation are
governed by their views of high policy
and not by the grovellling desire 10 add
a few hundreds millions to our already
enormous wealth
But the London Times is substantially
right IN its views OF the case Whether
We annex the Philippines or whether we
do not, we are now anchored permanent
ly in the far East, we have assumed re-
sponsibiities there, and we must play
n most important part there for many
years If not for centuries. We must ex-
ercise a protectorate over the PHILIPPINES,
even If we do not annex them, and see
that they are not plundered and oppress-
led while going through their period Of
tutelage. 1t will of course be our inter
est then to have the friendiest of rela-
tions with England because, with her
cooperation, we are safe against at
tacks from the whole world while with
out her cooperation a combination OF
powers might be made against us that
would give us more than we cared to do.
.rhe same is true of her. The American
people understand the case very thor
oughly and while It is not probable they
will ever consent TO any formal alliance
with England, they are perfectly salts
fed for her to understand that they
realize our community OF interests and
feelings and that they are ready to stand
by her il menaced while expecting her
10 line up with them If combination
Of the old world powers should seek to
interfere with them In their civillzing
work in the far East
The alliance Of fact between England
and America is far stronger and more
binding than any formal alliance record
ed upon parchment can ever be.
That alliance rests upon a common his
tory. common feelings and traditions.
common religion. common language, a
common literature. and such INTERVENING
o. pecuniary interests as never existed be-
tween any other two nations. They are
already our people in fact. though sepa-
rated into two nationalties. They cannot
be separated any more than close friends
and partners who love and trust each
other and the one will always be found
Fastening 20 the aid of the other II any
real emergency arises.
This was sirikingly illustrated when
AIR. Cleveland got up his foolish Vene-
zuelan mess. The jingoists and sensa-
tionalists shouted and made much clamor
but they were a wind bag Tho solid
and conservative mass Of the American
people remained perfectly calm and I'm
passive, and they had no more idea OF
allowing any serious breach with Eng
land to grow out OF the thing than they
had OF cutting each others threats.
Ne are one people in fact. and IT will
continue to work to the Glory OF God on
Earth that We are so.