New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-14

which could be justified on moral grounds: and
English leaders did not take the trouble to
make this matter entirely clear. II they had
done SO the divisions Of American opinion might
have disappeared, for there was a sincere de-
sire among Americans 10 reciprocate the good
vii which England had displayed during the
war with Spain
The answer which this leader Of English
opinion made was so interesting that 7 am JUS
tiled in quoting It from memory. now that the
campaign in South Africa has ended at Koomati-
poort- He said: When your war came on
with Spain. we might have raised many Of the
objections which have recently been urged
against England. We might have talked about
the attack Of strong Power upon a weak State.
about bullying diplomacy. meddlesome interven-
ton and greed Of territory. and have used
many other phrases which have lately been in
me mouths Of England's enemies. Englishmen
we're not SO ungenerOus We said that the war
with Spain was just, righteous and necessary.
for otherwise the Americans would not have en-
tered upon IL We have faith in your integrity.
We did not go into the question Of morals. II
your people thought they were n the right, that
was enough for Us. We accepted your own
judgment and were convinced that you were
tight When our war with the Beers came on.
re expected your people TO be equally just to
and blood had not engaged in an unrighteous
and unjusrAabIe attack upon two weak
puolics- We were disappointed and grieved
When we found that the morality Of our course
u South Africa was challenged in America; that
you lacked faith in Us. and that your people
were divided IN opinion, whereas Englishmen
mad been united IN their approva! Of your in
iervenuon in Cuba and the Philippines"
This reply I do not repeat for controversial
purposes. but merely TO place on record the
views O an eminent EngIishman who is
strong and influential friend Of America. I
thought afterward Of many things which I
might have said in rejoinder, but I remem-
5ered that al the moment 1 was impressed with
tae good feeling which inspired this retort, and
nat vas not disposed TO be disputaUous. 1
'sean this generous tribute Of a great English
nan 10 the american people whenever I read
osnsorious paragraph in the London press about
ne amateur diplomacy Of the State Depart
-ent Or the inexorable political requirements
q Presidential election, and the irritation ex-
-leo ~ rhoUghtless giles and contemptuous
nouts speedily subsidies. This is truth which
americans ought never TO forget that the men
y light and leading in England are just, gen
t1ls and sincerely friendly to them, and that
-ae occasional sneers and jeers which are heard
Z Conversation or seen in print do not repre-
mi me real forces Of British opinion.
ne two instances Of American unfriendliness
AieA Lnglishmen invariably cite were the en-
-.'cea recall Of the British Minister al the close
resident Cleveland's first Administration
- lhe venezuela message with which his sec
! tsrIn was brought 10 end They give
-l4selVes credit for having overlooked these
.,.-A and for having rendered America sub
4A1 service. especially in foreign relations
- e ne war with Spain At the close Of
-. campaign they were Of one mind in hoping
:, me Americans would retain the Philip
- and join them IN advocating the open
h. yoley IN China During the interval which
- aepseo since the negotiation Of the treaty
r. 1oe al Paris they have been conscious
d. american opinion has been divided respect
EoeE war and they have been con-