The record-union., 1898-12-09
In Discussing Home and Foreign Affairs at
aCOnseratVe Gathering In England.
Reioices at the Growth Of Friendly
Relations Between Great Brit
ain and the United States-The
AngIo-Saxon Race Allied, There
is no Other Combination That
Could Make Them Afraid.

LONDON, Dec. S-Right Hon. Joseph
Chamberlain, Secretary of State Tor the
Colonies, speaking at Conservative
gathering in Wakefield, Yorkshire, this
evening. fully discussed home and for
eign affairs, and the Government pol
icy in Egypt. which, he said, depended
entirely upon the possibility of reach
ing an understanding with France, a.
thing which is impossible as long as the
French pursue a policy of exaspera-
tiofl."
With regard TO the relations between
Great Britain and Russia, in connec-
ton with the Far East, he SAID that
while hitherto the endeayors to reach
an agreement had failed he believed
an agreement with Russia was neceS-
sary. unless very serious complications
were to be encountered. There We're,
he continued, no insurmountable OBJ
stacles to an agreement. On the con-
trary, it was quite possible to concillate
the reasonable ambition Of Russia with
the fixed policy of Great Britain to
maintain equal opportunities of trade
for all nations.
Il am more sanguine of arriving at
settlement" +" said Mr. Chamberlain, be
cause it is not for our interest alone.
The objects we have in view are shared
also by the United States, Germany and
Japan, all of which have Identical in
terests. l dare say you have observed
the very pregnant passage in the recent
message of President Mckinley to the
United States Congress, the passage
referring TO the very important inter
ests of America in the East in which
he declares that these interests shall
not be prejudiced by exclusive treat
ment. That is very noteworthy pass
age, and without being a prophet. I
think / shall not be too sanguine If l
say that in the future we shall not
stand alone as guardians of the open
door,"
Mr. Chamberlain then referred TO the
charges of inconsistency brought
against him in boasting Great Britain's
splendid isolation, and then touting for
alliances. He said: When I referred
to isolation, / meant the isolation of
the British Empire. comprising the
United Kingdom and our children over
the seas, who are we'll able to defend
their possessions and their own exclu-
siye interests against all attack, but
surely it is not unreasonable to seek an
alliance and to expect cooperation
where the interests involved are those
of others as we'll as of ourselves.
I'm the case of Germany, we have
ascertained by a friendly and frank in
terchange of opinion that there are
many interests regarding which we can
assist one another. / think / may hope
that in the future the two nations-the
greatest naval and the greatest mill
tary Power-will come more frequently
together, and our joint influence will
be used in behalf of peace and unre-
stricted trade.
But, if 1 congratulate you upon the
development of good feeling between US
and a great continental State, still more
do l rejoice at the growth of friendly
relations between ourselves and our
colonies, between ourselves and the
United States. Already the United
States, if regarded from the standpoint
of potential resources, is the greatest
of civilized StateS-with its immense
population of intelligent citizens, chief
ly Anglo-Saxons, and if we are assured
of the Anglo-Saxon race, whether it
abides under the Stars and Stripes, or
the Union Jack, there is no other COM
bination that can make US afraid
Replying later in the proceedings to
a vote of thanks for his address, Mr.
Chamberlain said he hoped, ere many
years had passed, to see a federation of
the empire with colonial representatives
in the Imperial Parliament.
Referring to a personal allusion to
his setting good example in forward
ing the hOped-for alliance with the
United States by marrying an Ameri-
can" he said: so many Englishmen
are following the example that think
1t quite possible that the alliance may
be accomplished without the interfer-
enee of governments" Gaughter)