The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-10
A PROPOSED ALLIANCE.
British Ambassador Presents a Prop
OsitiOn to the Administration.


WASHINGTON, March 1O-Much con-
lecture has been indulged in touching the
visit paid to the White House by the Brit
ish ambassador. The Washington Post this
(Thursday) morning says on this point
Queen Victoria has, through Sir Julian
Pauncefote, conveyed to President McKin-
ley her qualification at the wise and con-
servative course which he has thus far
pursued in relation to the Cuban and Span
ish situation. She also expressed to him her
thorough sympathy with the efforts put
forth by the United States to relieve suffer-
ing humanity in Cuba, with the hope that
these endeavors may be conducted to a sue
cessful conclusion without war;
These expressions were not sent in Off
cial form. They would have been communi-
Gated through Mr.. Hay, the United States
ambassador to Great Britain, but for the
fact that he is absent on a voyage on the
Nile. They were, therefore, communicated
directly to Sir Julian, with the request that
he present them in person to the President.
There has been no correspondence with this
country upon the subject, so that the
Queens sentiments do not appear on record.
''The desire of the Queen that war should
be avoided was emphasized for several rea-
sons. 1t was pointed out that the CONNER
cial relations Of Great Britain with the
United States were too extensive to be
jeopardized by a war between this country
and Spain. The blockade OF the port of
New York, for instance it was pointed out,
would be of irreparable damage to British
shipping while the cessation of the ship
ment of food supplies to England would be
exceedingly serious.
1.-THE reply of the President expressed his
49,
with the additional statement that he also
hoped that war could be avoided. Public
announcement Of the real purpose of the
ambassadors visit has been avoided, and
denial of the fact that it had relation to
the present crisis, has been made because
it was feared that the friendly utterance
might be misconstrued. 1t was thought
that the approval given by the Queen to
the Presidents course might be distasteful
in certain quarters, and might be regarded
as unduly influencing the Presidents ac-
tions in the future.
'"There was another reason, however,
which had it's weight in the direction of
secrecy. The attitude of Great Britain goes
further IN this matter than a mere ex-
preston of good wishes. There is desire,
which has yet only reached the stage of
tentative suggestion, that an alliance may
be formed between Great Britain and the
United States. 1t has been shown that
the interests of England and this
country are not only Identical
in a general sense but are especially iden-
tical in the great question of finding in
China and the East a market for manu-
factures. This suggestion has considerable
weight with the administration. Great Brit
ain is finding her supremacy in China seri-
ously threatened. France has already es-
tablished herself on the south, and Russia
is aggressive on the north, while Germany
has secured strong foothold. If England
proposes to hold her own she must fight
for it. This explains why she is forbidding
her ship owners to part with the vessels
they are constructing, and accounts for the
large increases she is making to her navy.
''It was the suggestion that if the United
States would afford Great Britain her moral
support in case of trouble in the East, she
would offer US her sympathy and practical
aid in any trouble that threatened with
Spain that resulted in a discussion of the
Eastern question in the Cabinet meeting
last Tuesday. The administration appre-
ciates the value of this friendly attitude.
Although it is well understood that in this
country it will be impossible for the navy to
be placed at the disposal of Great Britain
in upholding British supremacy in the East,
there are many ways in which our influence
could be exerted with effect in British be-
half''