The record-union., 1899-12-10
AND GERMAN INTER
DEPENDENCE.

The recent and present talk Of alli-
anees ard the late friendly expressions
of the Emperor of Germany with refer
ence to England and America, have
quickened thought concerning the true
relations between this country and the
German Empire. When a European
State makes advances toward US for
closer relationship it may be taken as
certain that there is behind it some un-
disclosed purpose. as the Record
Union" pointed out on, Tuesday in
treating of the alliance talk and spec
ulation Of the day. What that pur-
pose is is the thing to be ascertained
before any safe response can be made
to such wooing.
We have already indicated what. in
the opinion Of this journal, is one Of
the actuating motives of English
statesmen in the recent exceedingly
Hattering approaches they have made,
namely that the free trade countries
having at last become convinced that
the protection States are not to be
cowed orTdriven. it is the part of wis
dom to arrange with them such adjust
ments as will conserve the interest of
the free trade countries, and somewhat
mitigate the fierceness of sharp compe-
tition for the worlds commerce.
In the case-of Great Britain the way
appears to her to lie open in the direc-
ton of the trade of the Orient and
hence her solicitous desire that from
cur seat Of vantage in the Philippines
We should join with her in the promo
ton of the open door policy in China,
under the plea that these two great ma
tons should do what they can to pre-
serve the integrity of China as ma
ton, and prevent it's dismemberment
and partition among European Powers.
Our relations with Germany are
wholly commercial. There is no racial
or natural sympathetic bond between
them. If Germany unites with Eng
land therefore, to induce US to consent
to an open door alliance policy in the
Orient, 1t will be because Germany has
much to gain by that means not OBJ
tainable by any other, should we op-
pose her.
Mr. James H. Gore in the December
Forum" treats interestingly of what
he terms the interdependent relations
of the United States and Germany, and
indicates wherein there is mutually of
interest. He holds that there has been
for twelve years no such opportune
time as the present for putting this
country on the safe side incur CONNER
pirey The terms Of Germany's tariff
schedule has nearly expired, and a COM
mission is now at work upon new
one. Now all bills that are thus
evolved have a fixed period within
which they are not changeable. There
fore America is interested deeply in the
conditions which the new tariff plan
may place about our exports to Ger
many.
Here then is one key at least that
serves to partly open the purpose
Germany has in fostering our good will
for her, and in promoting the proposed
alliance England suggests regarding the
Orient. Germany is an industrial ma
ton. Her maritime interests are sec
ondary, but she has an ambition to
make them foremost. She never can
have the maritime power to which this
country will certainly attain Very
naturally, therefore. she is solicitous to
make such early arrangements with
the United States as are possible in
the premises But in all such cases
the principle of reciprocity enters in,
of which we are perhaps the chief ex-
ponent.
Mr. Gore well says that while we
are a great people we are not indie
pendent Of the rest Of the world. He
might have made his declaration
stronger by adding that we never can
be, nor would It be well that we SHOULD