The Irish standard., 1899-02-04

British journals have a poor opinion of
the minority in the senate for obstruct-
ing Mr.. McKinley's policy, and that
such men as Hoar, Hale, Mason, White,
and Johnson, have "a false sentiment
respecting the political rights of ignor-
ant and savage races"
Henry Norman cables to the New York
Times, pro- British sheet, that change
has occurred in the feelings entertained
by the English towards their American
cousins. There is marked falling OF,
he says, in the cordially expressed six
months ago, and why? He answers by
saying:
Many causes, each, perhaps, not
great in itself, have combined to produce
this. The application of navigation
laws to Cuba, Porto Rico, and Hawaii,
deliberate blow to British shipping, was
much commented upon here. In the
last two places British trade is now vir-
tually. destroyed. In the press here
comparisons, are now appearing between
the French action in Madagascar and
the American, action in her new pos
Sessions. A considerable number Of
contemptuous and hostile utterances to-
ward England by American public men
have been cabled. Even Bourke Cock
rams recent speech, though he is too we'll
known on this side of the Atlantic for
much importance to be attached to his
words, produced something of the effect
he doubtless intended. Again, the dec
laration of responsible American legis-
lators that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
should be simply ignored, has created
bad impression. In inside circles it is
now known that no negotiations toward
a fair settlement of this matter have
been inaugurated And worse, still, is
the fact that virtually no progress what
ever has been made in the American
Canadian commission, owing to the
American refusal to give way at any
point"
Another reason assigned by him for
the refrigeratory condition of the Brit
ish mind, is that John Bull is growing
somewhat testy and impatient Of the
American charge that the English want
the United States to help them fight
their European battles. Happily
says Norman, who, by the way is an
Englishman, "as Englands neighbors
here never realized more than today,
Englishmen are abundantly capable of
fighting their own. A formal alliance
is as foreign to the British as to the
American policy, otherwise England
could have an alliance with any
European nation for the asking. When
England cannot fight her own battles
it will be time for her to retire from the
rank of great power"
An understanding between the Brit
ish ministry and the Mckinley cabinet
would satisfy the Britishers, and that
undoubtedly exists today. In letter to
the Irish World Michael Davitt says that
not day goes by but that the press of
London does not dish up some fact CT
incident or statement confirmatory of the
general English contention that there
is a thorough understanding between the
TWO governments.
With John Hay as secretary of state,
and Joseph Choate at the Court of st.
James, there is no doubt of the fact, and
England is making capital out of it. On
this point Mr.. Davitt says:
England is making use of the i'm
preston thus created in France and
Germany for all it is worth. 1t gives her
powerful diplomatic leverage with
which to push forward her designs upon
Egypt and China She has virtually
declared British protectorate over the
former country in defiance of her own
solemn pledge to Europe that she would
leave it in due course This step is not
yet openly declared, but it is believed
that it will be officially announced in
June next, on or about the date when
the American fleet is expected to pay
visit to British waters In China the
same diplomatic support is openly de-
clared to be given by Americans to
British designs. A dozen messages TO
that effect have reached London during
the past month
We cannot but admire the cool impu-
dence and effrontery of the English peo-
pie in poking their noses into Americas
affairs and criticising the action of
American senators and patriotic citi-
zens for opposing the imperalistic poll
CIV of the pro-British party now in the
saddle at Washington.
The annual convention of the Mime
sofa Editorial Association will be held in
af ol Gluh in St