New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11
THE NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
LONDON.
HARMONY OF BRITISH AND AMERIC M
FOREIGN POLICIES.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAINs CORDIAL UTTER
ANCEs-A GIGANTIC CHEAP BOOK
SCHEME
InY Cable TO rnr TRIBUNE. !


hsh opinion Is steadiei by the sobrioty Of judg-
ment OF the leading journals and statesmen
Nearly every New-York correspondent ~ the
London press condemn ID President McKinlsy's
Message as weak and Disappointing; but few
leader writer's were m.sed. and most of them
were impressed with is calm and iigniAed tone
and the absence of all signs Of spread ca gleism
atter year Of triumph IN war. finance ard
diplomacy Several journals took exception 10
the presidents declaration that the Nicaragua
canal must be controlled by the United States:
out The Times knowing what WAS going on
at the Foreign Office, was able to give the right
cue and silence censorious criticism
Other journals have taken up Secretary Cages
recommendations respecting the development OF
the American merchant marine and IT'S applica-
ton Of the principles - coastwise trade 70 Porto
Rico and Hawaii. and have subjected them to-
pinprick criticism and irritating comment; but
almost Immediately the voice of hroaaminded
statesman : heard on the main issue ot Anglo
American unity Mr Chamberlain speaking at
Wakefield. did aot waste time In arguing that
Americans must ~evse their navisation laws
ard suspend their Constitution in order to open
the door Of Porto Rico 10 British commerce.
He pointed the larger moral that England
would have nothing TO fear from any cornbina-
OF tho friendship o. n, Anglo Saxon race.
whether under the Stas and Stripes or the
Union Jack
Secretary Blaine u,ed to say that there were.
some men who could no, see either a barn or q.
barn-door, but only the fly on the barn door:
some men OF that cabre are now writing lead
ers for certain English journals They refer to-
the dual protectorate Of The Clayton Bulwer
Treaty as important imperial interest which
must be upheld al all hazards ard complain,
that the American Government "a Offering
strange proof OF the sincerty OF its friendship
by enforcing antiquated navigation laws and
closing the door In The face Of The British trader
In Hawaii and Porto Rico They 90 not per-
ceiye that the treaty Of 1850 not only preventsi
the construction Of Nicaragua Canal buc'
offers no safeguard whatever FOR the main
tenance Of those principles OF neutrality and
freedom FOR which England stands az Suez, nor
do they seem to understand that the American,
Government is merely applying 70 Hawaii and
Porto Rico the system OF imperial federation
with free trade withia and a common tarff
wthout-the system which is the dream 81 Eng
lish statesmen ike M Chamberlain and Lord
Rosebery for the British Empire These CEN
sors who complain OF the adoption by America
Of policy Of provocaton in place OF policy OF
Ike "joint protectorate" and open door than
to the real interests which are promoted by
good feeling and common action between the
two countries.
These queruous critics are largely outnum-
bersd by the Just and liberal IN who give FORM
and direction to English opinion on American
affairs The Times" has set the style FOR the
discussion of the canal question by declaring
haV
strictly upon the claims OF the Clayton -Bulwer'
Treaty II the freedom OF the waterway be Sc,
cured to ships OF all nations the Suez plan.
This broad-rninded view which The Spectator
embassies to-day, reflects without doubt tho
opinion o. the Foreign Office. and points 10
COMPROMISE OF the canal question on the basis
~ single control by the United States and the
ADOPTION OF Suez principles. The view enter
,ained by diplomatsts is that Lord Salisbury
and Colonel Hay discussed the general subject
when Camara's fleet appeared AT Port Said and
that without formal negotiations they now un-'
derstand each other
II cannot be- doubted that England will
linqush what is nov worthless claim 10 joint
control If the United states provides money for
he canal and agrees to adopt Suez regulations
for H. Single American control OF the Nicaragua
Canal would tend 70 justify single English con-
troll Of the Suez waterway Joint control IN
Nicaragua would hav> bearing upon the
French claim of joint control at Suez
Fnuallv broad-minded is the expression of
opluion by nearly all English journals on the
close OF the labors Of the Peace Commission and,
the ADMINISTRATOR application Of policies and
PRINCIPLES to new condition. Of empire. Tho
American Commissioners credited with
brilliant success in carrying every essential
noint and conducting negotiations with excep-
,ional Armness and skill. The purchase OF the
Caroline group by Germany is assumed as a
certainty Of tho near future. and Americans arc
congratulated heartily upon bringing the war
TO a close and absorbing the greater part OF thu
Spanish colonies without exciting the enrnity oc
p single European Power England has ardent
l., desired the United States 70 remain in the
Philippines and adopt liberia ! commercial
nolicv there Her wishes have been gratifed in
one respect. and probably will be in the other.
Her position has been greatly strengthened oy
Anro-American good feeling; her only source ot
weakness in war lime is the failure OF food sup
plies and with America friendly This risk IS
rlinimized These points are essential 20 the
adoption Of the open-d principle. Porto R'co
IS Of trivial Importance in comparison With
those greater interests That principle has lot
saved ;he British West indies from economic
-uin wrought by imperial neglect 20 protect the
productive interests of those ISLANDS The re-
port of the last British Commission on the stnts
os the islands contains convincing proof that
Americans in managing their sugar isiants must
throw their tariff around them and avoid tho
disastrous results OF British policy Americans
can hardly be expected TO abandon their own
system OF imperial federation and TO condemn
their new West Indian possessions TO economic
ruin in order 10 justify English theories which
have failed. Americans need not be sensitive ~
English criticism in matters OF detail; English
men are nothing II not critical about their own
affairs. and now that they are interested IN new
American policies they make free OF IN.