The sun., 1898-06-16
AMrnron 1Np rNanlNp.
Miscsncebtisn or American Sentiment Shows
hJ the .. National Vteyieyv.v

bAthcohCentton OF american IenthHNeut bnoWb
hJ the "NRtIonRl Roview.n
To THE EDITOR OF THE sUN-Sfr, The sug-
Eestlon by the National Repieto Of London that
1t Ia suspicious circumstance that almost
tho only persons In the United States who have
responded to demand for an Anglo-American
alliance are those who deceived England by
misrepresentinR the popular sentiment here as
friendly to the discarded arbitration treaty, In
dicates remarkable Misunderstanding Of the
situation in this country.
1t 10 true that no extensive sentiment has yet
been manifested hore favorable to a for
NAL offensive and defensive alliance with
England. Neither can 1t be said that there is
any such prevalent sentiment in England itself.
All suggestions as to 1t have been tentative
merely. The question is too large and involves
too many and too grave complications for either
country to como hastily to any decision upon 1t.
Jhe frlendlinesB toward America exhibited by
England In the present war has had, however a
tendency, as everybody knows and feels, to
disarm resentment for many past transgres-
sions by her. Tho last friend is tho best
friend; now when EnRland's friendship s most
desirable to us she has displayed 1t, and we
shall not forget her exhibition OF good will
This American response to the demonstration
by England, however, has not como. as tho
National Reuiew Supposes from those who
made themselves conspicuous by supporting
the arbitration treaty. but rather from those
who opposed that futile and unjustiflable
device. For instance. the newspaper In New
York which was loudest In tho demand for
arbitration is now the most upset by the growth
of a friendlier spirit toward England because of
her course In this war; and find that many of
the people who weremost strenuous for arbitra-
ion are now most opposed to the anglo
American alliance" of the National Rcuietc.
The stock in trade Of tho New York newspaper
TO which have referred would be gone II tho
two countries came together in sentiment, for 1t
has lived by clarifying England and insulting
America as unworthy OF civilized consideration.
1t was disappointed Grievously because England
did not take stand inimical TO us at tho out
break of tho war with Spain, for 1t wanted frat
of all to see us beaten. Its sympathies for Eng
land, therefore, manifested SO offonsivcly. wero
commonly supposed to have their motive in an
English subsidy. but really thoy were duo to
hatred OF America; hence its chagrln when Eng
land appeared as the open wollwisher of Amer
lea rather than her secret enemy.
| Tho National Rerie,U is wrong, therefore, in
| Its suspicion. Tho strongest hope that there
may now grow up relations between this
| country and England which will bar effectually
aldanger of future conflict rests on tho friend
lier American disposition toward her. which she
| has created among those who were most dis.
| trustful Of tho proposed arbitration treaty by
her wise and consistent course In the present
war. They see that tho ends which arbitration
! would have sought vainly to attain may bo 40.
complished by the common sense and common
interest Of the two countries released from the
restraint of past sentimental prejudice.
| 1t is not wise, It is useless to talk now about
any formal "Anglo-American alliance" We
have not yet got to that bridge. 1t is enough
| that each side is in better mood to dis
| cuss sensibly its relations to the other, with q
view to the self-intercst OF zach. Even as to
our Irish citizens. may there not be reason to
| expect that with calm consideration they will
eventually discover that the best hope for Ire
land itself lies in tho establishment of closer
and warmer sympathes betwcon tho English
speaking races on both sides of the Atlantic2
NEW YORK, juno Is. AMERICAN.