Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-05
The AnEIO-America Spirit.


public consideration and discussion. atten-
ton has latterly been somewhat diverted
from the subject of the new spirit of friend
illness between the United States and Great
Britain, engendered by the war with Spain.
1t is perhaps fortunate that there has been
this period of silence, giving opportunity
for the public sentiment on both sides of
the ocean to crystalline into some more
tangible and positive form than that which
it assumed during the campaign. There is
no doubling the force of the spirit which
has drawn the two nations together. What
the French call the entente is well es-
tabiished- The only question now in view
Is whether it will be wise and proper to
give that sentiment a tangible form in the
way of an alliance, or any kind of interna-
tional compact.
The Star has repeatedly expressed it's be-
lief that the situation does not call for any
hard-and-fast agreement between the ma
tons. The traditions which here prevail
against alliances-W ashington called them
entanglements-whil necessarily weakened
somewhat by the dawn of a new era of
broader views and new responsibilities are
nevertheless potent enough to prevent such
formal partnerships. But the failure of the
nations to write their sense of mutual es-
TEEN and dependence into the form of a
treaty need not prevent the taking of steps
to give practical expression to this spirit.
The situation created by the war with
Spain and by the trend of events in the far
east lends itself admirably to the oppor-
tunity to Symbolic the friendship of these
two great communities of Angio-Saxons
The United States is more than ever in a
position to require an observance by Eu-
he frla y-it ,Ft
trine. The war has demonstrated that
canal must be constructed across the 18TH
mus of Panama under the control of this
government. Here. then. is opportunity for
England now to offer a substantial token
of her esteem. A declaration by her that
she would henceforth recognize the FREEDOM
1nant influence and interest of the United
States in the western hemisphere, accom-
panied ~ a specific agreement to permit
the construction of the Nicaragua canal
despite the Clayton ulwer treaty, if that
instrument shall be considered as still ac-
uVe-under American control, would amply
meet the American requirements of the sit
uatlon- The canal if thus constructed
would, OF course, be always open to the
snips OF commerce of all nations and TO
the ships of war of those nations with
which the United States was at peace. 1t
would be a world highway, with the reser-
Walton that in the event of war between
the United States and any other power this
government would use the canal against
that power.
Now as to d counterbalancing considera-
ton England's chief foreign effort today
Is aimed at keeping the eastern market
open tc the world. In China particularly
the struggle between the opposing policies
OF international trade is engaging her at
tentlon. Russias recent aggressions there
have seriously threatened her political pres
t1Se and her commercial prospects, The
open door is in danger of being closed by
the Muscovite. Doubtless the United States
would willingly lend its aid and influence
u keep the door open. This would be a
great help to England. Already evidences
OF a British desire for American aid in this
direction have been displayed. In addition
TO such cooperation it is believed that this
government might we'll consider fayorably
the idea of keeping the door open (or at
least ajaD for Englands benefit in the
Philippines. There are other points of adj
justment possible after q close scrutiny of
the field. 1t would not be difficult to strike
spirit of unity be given expression, strength
ening the position of the Anglo-American
factors in the civilization of the world
Should such be the result of the war with
Spain that struggle would have been a low
price to pay for a condition which would
go far toward preserving the peace of the
WcrId and carrying the doctrines of good.
government into its farthest corners