The Irish standard., 1900-08-11
HAYS GIFT TO ENGLAND.

Again we find evidence of the secret
understanding or alliance between
Great Britain and the United States,
says the Republic Of Boston. This al
lance has been resolutely denied by the
administration and its friends, but it has
been affirmed by Joseph Chamberlain Of
the British cabinet, by ambassador
Choate and by the London press. The
fresh evidence of its existence is visible
and manifest in the cession to Canada
of large and valuable tract of land in
Alaska which contains millions of dol
lars worth of timber and mining prop
erty. Mr.. Hays says that the aliena-
ton Of this strip of American territory
was effected in the interests of peace,
but that it was not to be permanent.
The real boundary line will be deter
mined when the court of arbitration
meets. Does Mr. Hay think that the
American claim will be strengthened by
the cession of portion Of the land in
dispute? Does he not weaken his case
by yielding the very point in issue?
What stress of circumstances induced
the government at Washington to make
this extraordinary concession? Was it
afraid of England? The ordinary citi-
zen would be led to believe that Eng
land was in a position, rather than the
United States, to sue for peaceful set
t1o,,,o,A 81 ,,o~,aI Che hoe
her army engaged in Africa, and she is
threatened with serious complications in
the East She is in no condition to
enforce doubtful claims.
The territory which we purchased
from Russia in 1868 included this par
ticular strip of land. 1t was recognized
as Russian property by England. This
fact is clearl, established by the histor-
ical assertion. not disputed anywhere,
that it had been leased by Russia to the
Hudson Bay Company, an English con-
Germ. If it was claimed then as British
territory, why was it necessary to Sc
cure lease from a government that did
not own it?
The British maps made prior to the
transfer of title from Russia to the Unit
ed States and subsequent thereto showed
that the Porcupine strip was the prop
erty OF Russia. Not until gold was
discovered there few years ago did the
Britishers lay claim to it. And now
their claim is conceded in advance of the
arbitration which is to- settle forever
the boundary line.
Lord Pauncefote is proving by his
successful diplomacy that he is prac-
tically managing the foreign affairs Of
the United States. Mr.. Hay is as put
ty in his hands. 1t was because Lord
Salisbury recognized his power over the
state department that he continued him
in the diplomatic service after the time
for his compulsory retirement had ar
rived. He is practically the head OF
our state department. This shameful
surrender Of territory purchased for
cash is the latest proof of his power and
OF the subserviency OF our government
to his will.
We have been buying islands from
Spain for two years. There is project
on foot to purchase two more islands
for $1oo,ooo. Yet we are treated to the
spectacle OF an administration that is
bent on acquiring foreign territory Civ
ing away land already ours as free
gift to the mother country" Will the
American people tolerate this scandal
Gus conduct on the part of their public
servants? Will they permit the imperi-
aistic Mckinley to make present to
John Bull OF the most valuable mining
lands in Alaska? We think not. Al
ready popular protest has been raised
even in Republican circles. The New
York Sun, most devoted organ of the
administration, warns Mr.. Hay that the
transfer of American territory to Grea,
Britain will not be tolerated by the
American people. But Mr.. Hay and
f. \