The record-union., 1898-06-18
GERMAN MENACE AND ENGLISH
ALLIANCE.

ALLIANCE.
There are vague dispatches in the
current news of the day every now and
then concerning the possibility of Ger
many, through agreement with Spain,
or of her own motion, intervening in
the Philippines, either to our exclusion
OF to the seizure of some one of the
more desirable islands, simply because
"the War King" of Germany wants a
foothold there, or because he will shell
ter his act behind a mortgage given by
Spain. OF course, these dispatches are
denied as rapidly as they are published,
but they continue to come.
If there is anything at all in this
is to be found in the aggressiveness of
Emperor William as a man. That ruler
has an ambition to be known in history
as William of the Strong Arm" The
spirit of conquest inspires him, AMI
ne seeks any and all opportunities to
crafty 1t. Thus far he has been un-
able to- do so to it's full His occupa-
ton of territory on the Chinese coast,
his extension of German possessions in
Africa, sum up his gains. His initial
attempt was upon the Caroline Islands,
it will be remembered, which proved to
be ludicrous failure. That he should
now scheme for division of the spoil in
the Philippines is not improbable.
But we are not disposed to believe
that the. longer-headed statesmen of
Germany will favor any such ideas.
They may be overcome by the imperial
will. but we doubt it. If any European
State breads an alliance between Great
Britain and the United States it should
exert itself to prevent any inter-
meddling in this war If Germany un-
dertakes any such plan of acquisition.
with or without the connivance of
Spain, it will strike the hour when
Great Britain will assert herself, and
that, too. as the ally of the United
States.
Any pfinging of European fingers
into the present broth will in an Instant
sweep away every objection held in this
country against an Anglo American
alliance. Let Europe once for all un-
derstand that this fight is on between
Spain and America, and in no way
Whatever concerns any Continental
power except Spain, and that the
United States viii not for an instant
tolerate any interference to rob it of
tho i,,at
the war
As. between aiding British schemes
through an alliance, and of offense and
defense, and acquiescence in the inter-
ference of Continental powers with our
conduct of the war, it's continuance
or its cessation, or as to what we may
and what we shall not take of the en-
eny's possessions, the United States
will unhesitatingly choose alliance.
That at least will not be dishonor;
the acquiescence in the other would be
shame, humiliation and dishonor. To
submit to it for an instant would reduce
US to meniaI level and make us the
footstool for every monarchical heel
that chooses to tread upon US. We be-
Heve that German ambition will be
curbed by German prudence; that no
such seizures or interference on her
part VIII be attempted as are now talk
ed Of
AS for selling or mortgaging any OF
her estate to Germany just now, Spain
is by the United States declared incom-
petent; her title is in dispute, and II
Germany buys she does so with full no
tice that the property is heavily incum-
bered by the American flag.