The times., 1899-12-03

LONDON Dec. 2-The speeches by
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain and Am
bassador Choate upon Auglo-Gsrman-
American relations made less impression
in England than in other countries. Had
il not been for Mr.. ChamberIain's rather
careless use OF the word alliance the
matter would have created no sensation in
Europe beyond The fact thai some addition
al significance would have been attached
10 the Colonial Sacretary's utteranees by
reason Of his long consultation with the
Kaiser a few days previous.
There is q very definite political mean
ing attached TO the term alliance" in Eu-
rope, as witness the long trepidation Of
The French nation before the Car pro-
ncunced the fatal word. Chamberlain's
loose and uujusJihable use OF IT as far
as the United States IS concerned, caused,
therefore, mOmeut3ry alarm in Paris, and,
perhaps also in 81. Petersburg It may be
said without feaI OF contradiction that his
employment OF the term in regard 20
Anglo German relations was equally un-
authorized.
Even the Times" protested against it
in this connection in no uncertain voice,
and il is evident on all sides that il is i'm
possible 10 turn popular anUpathy 10 Ger
the sudden bidding Of political expediency.
Il is noticeable also th8. Mr.. Choate's
American audience on Thursday received
his prO-GeTman overtures with tolerance
rather than enthusiasm. and such in truth,
is also the English attitude toward similar
proposals.
In like manner Colonial Secretary Cham
berlains outspolen admonition TO France
TO mend her manners, lest the conse-
he h1 1l0 10
storm Of comment. but when the matter
is considered from the proper viewpoint 1t
viii be seen that some such step was nee
essary in order 10 avoid real danger Tn
less the warning came from q thoroughly
responsible source ii would have failed OF
its object, as the minds of the Frenchmen
cannot be reached through foreign news
papers, which practically are never read ia
France II may seem strange that at the
present juncture Chamberlain should have
appeared in the role OF an angel Of peace,
and his message may be said 10 have
somewhat bellicose flavor, but the fact re-
mains that it makes for peace.
At the beginning Of the Transvaal crisis
and up 10 the present moment the French
press, irritated by memories Of the Fashoda
incident and England's attitude in the
Dreyfus case, has been bitterly hostile in its
tone. It's criticisms upon England's policy
and statesmen and the whole English peO-
pie left nothing unsaid which could be con-
ceived by mind infiamed by the deepest
and most sincere spirit Of animosity and
hatred This did not provoke any comment
or feeling in England; in fact, il was
passed over and scarcely noticed.
Then there was a new phase Of this
newspaper campaign against England.
Paris flooded France with series Of lam
pOons on the Queen. the insulting obsceni-
" OF which absolutely prohibits descrip
tion. To Euglishmen the Queen Is sacred.
and ID is impossible 10 eXaggeTate the deep
ness of this feeling, wherein dynastic 10y
atty, state patriotism, and personal respect
and affection are all blended. An English
man calls himself a subject OF the Queen
before he says he is q member Of the Brit
ish Empire The soldiers and sailors are
soldiers and sailors of the Queen. with the
idea OF fighting for the Queen more strong
y developed than Of fighting for their
country.
prominent Frenchman with a knowl
edge Of England wrote letter to the FIJI
EaroT on November % urging the assOcia-
tion OF French editors 10 stop the attacks
on the Queen. saying: Attacks on British
policy and politicians DO not matter but
ne touchez pas la RENE (hands OF the
Queen.) AS for the danger. it is great
] dread It, for my country. We are going.
81 these incomprehensible tactics are rot
changed. toward an Anglo-French war"
And he is right # ChamberIain's words
end these attacks on the Queen, they VIII
prevent the growth OF a feeling here such
as would make the nation not only ready
but eager for war. The excuse that only a
portion Of the French press is guilty is no
excuse. The fact that these obscene
sheets. which, apart altogether from the
manner the Queen appears therein, could
not possibly be transmitted by mail or Of
fered for sale in the United States on &C
count Of the lewdness and blasphemy OF
the Illustrations and letter-press, and are
yet published and sold IN France without
Governmental or other hindrance, makes
E7rsrce as 2 nation resuonsible