The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-17
Mr.. Chamberlain's Speech.

stitutions more broadly or more SYM
pathetically that NJ. Chamberlain. His
family relationship and his periodical
visits here have familiarizcl him with
our laws, our customs and our man
ners, political and social. While most
other responsible English and contin-
entail statesmen have read of us per
haps not in very flattering terms. the
secretary Of state for the British COLOR
les comes among us and lives among us
from time to time brief, hut quiet
domesticated life. What Mr.. Chamber
lain has said in regard to that better
Feeling and better understanding be-
tween the two countries which now eX-
lists, and which exigency of the war en-
gendered, is due certainly in far greater
degree to him than to any other En-
glishman. We can better understand
Mr.. Chamberlain's services to this
country and TO his own when we an
nourCe that it was almost through
his unsupported influence in the
British cabinet that a war was
averted between the United States
ezuela boundary dispute. Hostilities
| with England would perhaps have been
fitting close to Mr.. Cleveland's pres
idential career, but what a cataclysmal
| dislocation of the progress of civiliza-
tion such a war would have been none
knew better than Mr. Chamberlain or
| less than Mr.. Cleveland.
Ir
undigested notions of the identity Of
| interests Of the two countries. He
knows how much of the British mater
| ial has gone to make up the fresh
| novelty of American life in the world
He does not anticipate the millennium,
| but he believes that that entente which
| now exists between the great Anglo
| Saxon races in the eastern and western
hemisuhcres will do more to safe
! guard the peace of the world than the
combined militarisn of Europe. The
| people of the United States. on the 9TH
| er hand, believe in the sincerity of Brit
ish professions. After an estrangement
| which has lasted over hundred years
1t ia not wonderful that this reciprocity
| of sentiment is less effusivc on our part
| than it is apparently on the part OF
! England. But, then. we are not a de-
monstrative race. When all is said and
done, however this affinity of race,
laws, language and literature is more
enduring and more unswerving than
moldy parchments lined with the fad
ing autographs of kings and diplomats.
Mr.. Chamberlain was much more eX-
plict in the Anglo-French embroglio
than Lord Salisbury was at the Man
sion House banquet Mr.. Chamberlain
states categorically England's position:
lished, IT will be necessary for French
politicians to abandon tactics whose
object has been to hamper and embar-
rass British policy" This is plain
speaking. The Fashoda incident in
only one among many which have driv-
en- England to assume position of de-
fensc and defiance. If France is alone
mentioned in the text, it is plain from
the context that Russia is not forgot.
ten. 1t is a far cry from Fashoda tC
Newfoundland, from ivory to Goldfish
But the chain of British commercial
interests binds them together and II
is this chain which the French politi
clans to whom Mr.. Chamberlair 80
significantly refers seek to intersec
at one link now and at another again
1t is evident from Mr.. Chamberlain:
words that there are other British in
terests with which the French politi
clans would do well not to interfere
if they desire to avert a war. Our owl
interests in the Newfoundland fisherie,
are identical with those of England
The piscatorial labors of New England
fishermen are thwaItod by the dog-in
the-manger policy of the French gov
ernment. France claims exclusive fore
shore rights on the Newfoundland coas
which not only embarrass Newfound
land and New England fishermen, bu
preclude them from acquiring the fruit
of their hazardous toll and magnificen
opportunities 4 Newfoundland or
New England fisherman is not allowed
to catch bait within a certain limi
of the shore; he is not allowed to pu
ashore longer than three hours, except
Of course, in case of peril from ship
wreck; neither can he cure fish in o
; export fish from the zone of the Frencl
littoral. Considering that France doe
not own an inch Of Newfoundland ter
ritory and that these rights on thes
shores, which she claims, are secure
by antiduated treaties. and that sh
insists upon their literal fulfillmen
. without her own fishermen reaping tn
slightest benefit in return, it would no
: surprise us If, now that Mr.. Chamber
lain has spoken, England should de
mand the abrogatlon of these treatle
upon an alternative of war.
At all events Mr.. Chamberlain wi
once more turn the eyes of En-
l. glshmen and Of Americans toward
> the question. England just now is /
= the temper not merely to make no con
cessons but in matter Of this kin,
to demand them The war clouds al
still gathering. Mr.. Chamberlain
= speech will do nothing TO dispel then
. .----S ------
General Breckinridge's opinion
Shafter is not calculated TO make Shai
=, ter blush with pride. but it appear
to dcvetail with the established fact
-
c Dreyfus is said to be IN good healtl
I but members of certain circles in Par
experience creeping chills whenever II
announcement to this effect is made.
= The Wanamaker league is strong @