The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-23
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.

LIVERY outgiving from the Peace Conference at
The Hague strengthens the view that there as
- on the field intended to be covered by the con-
ference it is England and the United States COM
bined and the other nations against them
This country and Great Britain tired successfully
the first great experiment at arbitration ana ooth
abided by the verdict
When the Venezuela boundary question, after de-
cades of incubation seemed about to hatch war be-
tween an American and European state in which
the stronger might the right of conquest in
defiance of the Monroe doctrine, President Cleveland
asserted the rights of the United States in the issue
and gave to that doctrine its first definite interpreta
ton England yielded and submitted to arbitration,
and the court chosen will sit and hear the
When England yielded to President Cleveland's de-
mands she was berated in every Continental country.
They all exhibited objections to the principle of
bitration and intense hostility to England because
she had receded and the United States because he
recession added to prestige. When the Spanish
war came on the Continental nations misleading the
policy of England, expected her to make reprsal
the United States by joining European concert in
favor of Spain. But English diplomacy proved to be
past finding out by the rulers OF the Continent She
stood aloof from an anti-American concert and by
standing there held the of Europe off our backs
This was truly taken as sign that England either
being isolated by the policy OF the Continental ma
TONS she has other choice than with this
country That they fear this result is evident and
that they taking the best means to bring it about
is also evident The tireless and subtle fattery toward
the United States employed by all classes in England
has had its effect, and the American people are in a
complacent and compliant mood toward the most ex-
IRENE proposition for an English alliance
If the other powers wise in the means chosen
to carry out their desire to prevent this substantial
union OF the two countries, they would pursue a df-
ferent in the Peace Conference and in their
diplomacy outside They make the mistake OF adj
hitting that England has sentiment in the matter and
that her motive is altrustic Conceding that this
country is not in shape to plead altrus in purpose
it is we'll to understand that England without any
sentiment beyond self-interest and se-preservation
While is true that she prevented Continental con-
cert against in the Spanish war, it is equally true
that she surrendered to arbitration OF the Venezuela
boundary only because refusal meant war with the
United States and European concert against her
that would have been destructive The fear of such
concert compelled her to make surrender for which
she hooted by the nations that would have
jumped at her throat if she had not surrendered
Out OF all this issues the situation in the Peace
Conference. The strong nations met there are not
moved by any other than the motives OF ambition and
sefinterest. De Staal may talk high sentiment and
eulogize the figure OF Peace closing the temple of
Janus, and Pauncefote may talk warmly OF peace as
the normal state OF nations, but all this is the senti-
mental ambush OF the deliberate purpose OF the ma
tons to not yield inch OF present position or pros
Pective advantage II arbitration it will not be
by general agreement but will depend upon joint &C
ton between the countries which feel that by ar
bitrating their differences they will gain some
thing out OF the differences OF others
These countries are England and the United States
An arbitration agreement between them is the equ-
vaent OF declaration OF against the rest OF the
world. England saved herself in 1888, when William
III placed her at the head of the European alliance
against Louis XIV, and again when she led Europe
against Bonaparte. But the close of each OF those
alliances left the rest of Europe in an nquiring mind
any benefit secured by any nation except Great
Britain. Out of that condition has come about Eng
lish isolation and her compulsory favor for the
United States
There Americans who could wish that this coun-
try, while accepting the situation would do so with
more show of self-respect The proposition to send
American soldiers to parade in London is one OF the
symptoms OF the condition that has so early become
apparent in the Peace Conference. England is per-
fectly well aware that such exhibition will be taken
by the rest of Europe evidence of her practical
suzerainty of the United States It will exalt her
power, but will humiliate in the eyes OF every
European friend OF republican institutions. What
comes, and out OF the stress of our anomalous
position and longing for the gewgaws OF imperialism
much may come this Government should let sAmeri-
retain sufficient se-respect to refuse to permit
themselves to be looked upon as the modern Hessans
of Great Britain