The times., 1898-05-16
A BOLD NOTE Of WARMING
England's Attitude Sets All
Europe by the Ears.
1T STRENGTHENS OUR ARMS
Senators Believe That Mr. Chamber
lain Has stated What VIII soon he
Fnct-Fhe Inevitable Conflict
between the AnEIO-Saxon and
Lntin Races Must Soon Come.

osher night has given American states
men something more than the present
war to think about. That speech. the
most remarkable pubic utterance Of re-
cent years from an English official OF
prominence. has attracted the attention
of the whole world. II has called half 70
the suggested plan of European interfer-
ence in the American conduct of the war
between this Government and Spain. II
has been accepted as note OF warning.
threat thinly disguised and as such it
has set all Europe by the ears. and di-
rected American thought in a channel
that may result in the accomplishment or
an understanding between the two great
English speaking people.
The American people are opposed to
anything looking ike an alliance offensive
and defensive with Great Britain. but the
people Of this country would probably ac-
cept such an alliance in the event thar
Europe. jealous of our victories in ths
Far East. sought to prevent US from en-
joying the fruits Of those well earned
triumphs.
Members of the Senate Committee on
press their satisfaction over the state
ments made by BIr. Chamberlain, and this
satisfaction is not due TO an intention 70
accept his statements as a bid for a new
treaty between the two governments. It
is because Of the moral effect his speech
Will have IN Europe. and the knowledge
OF the fact on the part Of Europe that IN
attempting TO dictate terms 10 the United
States il viii not have the support OF
h Ra.s
very little doubt of the attitude but the
mere fact that the representative Of the
British government has taken so public
a manner to announce the possible choice
Of his government under certain COndi-
tiOns is calculated 70 make American
statesmen feel somewhat stronger than il
the position of Great Britain were un-
known
a very prominent member OF the Sen
ATE committee in discussing this subject
yesterday declared that Mr.. Chamberlain
had stated what would probably be u
fact before many years had rolled by
and that was that all Europe would be
arrayed against the English speaking
people. that the inevitable conflict be-
tween the Anglo-SaxOns and the Latin
races was bound to come and that the
commencement OF the irritation that pre-
ceded war was now manifest
any sort with Great Britain. said this
senator. but if we are 10 have a war
with some of the great powers. there is
where we are 10 get our aid and help, if
anywhere. Great Britain is jealous OF
our growing greatness for we have been
encrOachiug upon her trade for many
years; but Great Britain would rather
have Us for a friend and ally than any
other nation on earth, for she knows that
-
resources and the ambition that char
acterize the American people.
We have avoided entangling alliances
because We have never held colonial pos
sssions and had no interest beyond our
own coast save 10 insist that the rights
Of our people should be respected. Spain
forced Us 10 take a hand in Cuban affairs
for the sake of common deCency and hu-
manity and now We find ourselves IN pos
session of the Philippines and viii soon
have Puerto Rico and Cuba. II may be
difficult thing TO let the Philippines go.
II may be easier to hold them: for the
moment we attempt TO dispose Of them
We embrOn Europe in a contention over
the increase Of the power OF the nation 20
whom We should let them so. And into
that struggle We might be drawn II We
are TO keep them. as I personally prefer.
then we are TO have something To say
at once become a nation with colonies To
care for and protect. Times have changed
since Washington and jefferson laid
down their rule Of conduct for the Aueri-
can people and il may happen that we are
about 10 break some of the old traditions
The moment we take up this policy We
assume additional responsibilities and dd-
diti0ual burdens II We are TO govern
those islands we are expected 70 give
-
only the natives. but the subjects Of 9TH
sr countries who may reside there This
means an army and an enlarged navy.
and having seized a portion of the ASia-ic
territory II means. too. that sooner or
later we must become a party to an un-
derSc auding that Will enable us 20 en-
force our rights in the Orient and pro-
tect our territory from encr0achmen--
Such an alliance can only be had with
Great Britain. and such an alliance.
coupled also with the friendship OF Japan.
would dominate the world; it would be
combination Of wealth and power that
could not be wOrsted- The time for the
consideration of such things has not yet
arrived. but the trend OF events suggest
that il may be in the very distant future"
With Germany none too friendly 20 this
country; with France doing those things
which tend 10 justify the suspicion that
the neutrality laws rigidly: with Portugal
ready 10 aid Spain in every way w5Sfin
her power: with all these things only too
apparent the speech of Mr.. Chamberlain
assumes an Importance that cannot be
ignored. American statesmen are discuss
ing II from various points of view. and
while not one will express himself as IA
vCrable to such a scheme all intimate that
If an alliance IS to come this and this only
il h. hot 10
The Senate is the treaty making power
of the United States. acting jointly with
the President. and anything in the shape
of a treaty would have to be submitted
to that body for ratification. Still. il has
been pointed out that an arrangement"
can be entered into by the President
whereby in the event Of certain things
being done by the other powers this cOun-
try and Great Britain will act in unison
Europe now knows why Spain could not
make any impression upon the powers
in her various notes concerning the Gu
ban question. With diplomatic evasions
Great Britain declined TO become a party
10 the scheme and without the approval
of that power Spain was unable to secure
the cooperation of the others. BY her
acts Great Britain showed her desire 70
remain strictly neutral; now. by her
acts, ard by the word of her great states
man and diplomat. she announces that
she is ready to become the friend and
ally of the United States in the event
this Government feels the need Of such
an alliance.
Whether it amounts 20 anything or not,
this is sufficient to at least set public rleR
to thinking seriously of the future.
They Do.
(From the Detroit Free Press.)
'I thought your American gentlemen