The times., 1899-10-30
MONDAY. OCTOBER 30, 1899.
The Hidden Hand of Europe.


The Hidden Hand of Europe.
In view Of the divergent opinions ex-
pressed in England and Europe in connec-
ton with the supposed designs OF pro-
gramme of Continental powers, the ques-
uOn of an attempt at Intervention in
South Africa is as unsettled as ever
Perhaps. on the whole, the weight of evi-
dence is in favor OF a silent though
watehfal neutrality, at least until bet
Ter opportunity shall arise for an active
movement than has yet presented itself
With the position Of Germany hardly in
doubt and that Of the United States not
at ali, there does not seem TO be much
encoura cement for other Governments 10
make trouble At this juncture
We are bound 70 take notice, however.
that the ramor OF an overture to this
country, requesting Us to offer ne5iaiion.
Is an exceedingly persistent one, and may
have some tangible basis. Such g thing
could hardly be proposed with any idea of
its acceptance by the American Govern
mcut. Indeed, considering that it would
tween a sovereign State and one regard
- by the law OF nations as dependent, a
proposition OF the kind would not fall
mach short Of an international anront
j could not fail 70 be 50 viewed when
The consequences Of an acceptance are
considered. If on any ground We were
70 assume the right OF meddIing in South
Africa, even to the extent of a friendly
oner OF mediation, we should be not oaly
engaging in a business that does not con
Germ rs. but would be taking the foolish
step Of admitting that in principle, it is
open to an outside power to Interpose
its influence or force, IN q strictly muni-
cipal quarrel.
Il is not to be doubted that some OF our
European friends wcuId greatly like 10
see the American head put in that bag.
II we could be cajoled into such a conces-
sion, our own situation in the Philippines
would oaer most alluring opportunity
for its practical application at our ex-
pense- The theory. popular in Paris, that
because our representatives, at The Hague
Conference strongly advocated friendly
mediation as TO wars between independent
States. therefore we are bound to make
ourselves disagreeable TO Great Britain on
the present occasion, is not convincing, and
viii moi be seized upon in Washington as a
working hypothesis. As a matter Of fact
The Hague conclusions We're without the
remotest reference 10 conditions and sit
uations such as are presented in South
Africa and the Philippines.
Representatives Of other nations in this
Capital and the foreign Offices OF all civil
lied countries understand our position as
well as We do ourselves. That being true,
It does not seem reasonable to assume
that Governments with which We are at
peace, and on terms Of trade and amity,
would begin q movement eminently cal
eulsted TO injure those relations.
As The Times has repeatedly asserted.
our attitude in the present circumstance
is a matter easily and necessarily deduct
bic from our International situation, and
inevitable race Ieanings. The threat of
European Intervention at the outbreak OF
the Spanish War was direct menace. not
alone 10 the United States, but to Anglo
Saxon power and progress. The elder sis
Ter Of the family resented it and prevented
sn armed attempt to give it effect. Now.
II the same threat were to be hurled in the
direction Of South Africa, the American
branch Of the Anglo-Saxon race would be
found acting exactly as Great Britain did
when il was proposed to Gordon Cuba
against us with the fleets Of certain Euro
Dean States.
The logic OF cur position would compel
rs to view with dfsfavor any movement at
this time which would embarrass England
or ieopardize her possessions OF imperial
interests in any part Of the world. The
franlzness Of our diplomacy has enabled
other Governments to accept informal no
tIce that our interests and those OF Great
Britain in China and the Far East are
practically identical; that the one could
not be attacked without injury TO the
ether and that. hence. in that quarter at
least. the Anglo-Saxon element as a whole
and not in incoherent sections. is 10 be
counted with