The times., 1899-11-09
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER Q. 1899.
smcrica as World Power.


Three events Of cosmic Importance which
have happened in the first half of the pres
ent week VIII make it live in the annals
OF mankind as a history making period. IN
the result OF the autumn elections, al
Enough they have not been ostensibly Of a
national character. the American people
have served notice on Christendom that
they are fully and finally determined upon
q policy and course Of colonial empire and
development, and TO have voice in the af-
fairs and movements Of the world. The
samoan question mas been settled agreea-
lly to this country in the withdrawal Of
Great Britain from the islands, and their
division between the United States and
Germany. The territorial concessions in
ci5entslIy made 10 the Kaiser-s Government
in the connection. are bright evidence of
Vhe friendly understanding, amounting to
alliance. which subsists between the two
powers And not the least satisfactory Of
1he three developments. is the German
agreement 10 maintain for us the open
door ira China, as far as that nations pos
sessions. protectorate. and sphere Of iufiu-
eHce, present or future, may be concerned.
Thus the United States makes its bow,
as one u the great active political forces
of he globe. ia international relations. and
a. circumstances at once brilliant and Sc
Tious. For the amicable adjustment OF the
Samoan interests. the Strengthening Of the
German influence in Africa. ana the open
door" accord between the foreign Offices
of Washington and Berlin, mean something
more than mere series Of friendly trans
actions of barter or comfy among the three
powers OF The common Teutonic stock
They amount 10 public notification that
UeW race -bund' has sprung into existence
like a goddess fun armed" 10 be the
peace and equity compelling force majeure
of he world. and to guarantee the main
1euauee and extension CT that great and
noble civilization. founded on the home
Family. and representative government
To this substantial though informal al
lance is to be added Japan, the new civ
SLICED power OF the Orient. The common
iHteresfs. necessities, and dangers which
have attracted America, England. and Ger
many 10 each other. in almost equal meas
7ire affect the progressive and rising island
empire Of the Mikado. What menaces the
commerce and dignity Of the others IN
China. threatens japanese interests. oppor-
7gairy. and prestige even more ominously
Moreover. Japan is steadily evolving pollti-
cal social, and economic conceptions,
Standards. and policies, homologous with
chose of its Western allies. and is in no
danger ol becoming an obstructive factor
IN what. aside from its acceptable presence,
would be strictly family party
Judged by the ambitions, jealousies. End
designs with which it is credited. this
new force viii encounter the opposition.
and a. some time. perhaps, the active op-
position Of Russia, France. Italy. and
Spain. For the present, it is probable
1hat the attitude Of Germany ray
ueutraIize that OF Austria. and. possibly.
the same may be true OF Italy. But Rus
sia and France may be counted safely as
viewing the quadrupIe alliance with any
thing but satisfaction. Bankrupt and de-
generate Spain amounts to nothing beyond
the geographical advantages Of her posi-
zion on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
aud al Ceuta. which would offer useful
naval bases in the event OF war.
Hopes had been INDUCED in Paris. and
81 may be elsewhere. that the meeting Of
the Kaiser and Gar at Potsdam yester-
DAY would result In causing a break in the
understanding between England and Ger
many bus publication OF the Anglo Ger
man treaty must have put an end 10 any
anticipation OF that kind. We may now
expect To hear of strenuous effort 10
brig The remaining States Of Continental
Europe into union against the spectre
Of hngl0-Saz0u and Teuton asceudency.
Perhaps We are on the eve Of discovery
that the penetrating diplomacy Of Russia
has discounted the quadruple alliance and
has succeeded in organizing powerful
counter coalition. IN that event we may
expect evidences or the fact ia almost i'm
mediate developments in the East. II the
European opposition considers itself strong
enough to beard the new international
giant. the Issue Is likely TO be made in tho
seizure Of Nieu-Chwane by Russian troops
from PoFt Arthur and Talienwan. That
would doubtless discover the presence oil
q japanese military force on the Korean
peninsula. and there would be naval pro-
ceedlngs Of d vigorous nature Already
there IS a British squadron IN the Gulf Of
PechIll. near by. and the battleship Ore
Eon OF our feet has gone 10 Jola IT, A