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

sor needs to be reminded that the "infantiIe
debut Of America on the worlds stage" came on
over hundred years ago in Paris where Ben
jamin Franklin. in spite of the simplicity Of his
diplomatic methods. convinced the masters Of
statecraft that he was anything but an amateur.
Moreover, the Monroe Doctrine. which for eighty
years has protected the Western Hemisphere
against European invasion when there was
scramble of the Powers for the partition Of the
South Seas Asia and Africa. has been a stand
ing proof that American diplomacy is not anna
teurish nor disposed to discard great response
biities. This idle chatter about the infantile
weakness. amateur methods and responsibility
o. American diplomacy is the refuge Of small
minds incapable Of compromising the idea that
there can be anything professional in statecraft
outside the British Foreign Office
II sneers Of this kind come with little grace
from country where the new diplomacy" has
been constantly in evidence during recent years
SO also the censorious comments that the eccen-
tricities and vasaries Of American policy are
attributable to the political pressure of Presden-
tial elections are singularly i'll timed when the
general elections here have been forced on at
the end Of the war in South Africa for the par
usan advantage of the party in power What
the impartial observer IS witnessing now in the
United Kingdom is electoral canvass. in
which Lord Roberts and his veterans are used
which the loyalty OF the colonies. the patriotism
Of the country in the hour of military victory
and even the density and completely Of the
China complications are employed as means for
securing political ends. The Queen was a good
politician when she went to Dublin last spring
CT mission Of reconciliation, and Lord Sails
bury, Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain are
masters Of the art of politics in choosing the
risht moment for securing a new lease of power.
The German Emperor has displayed the same
political talent in directing negotiations with
factions and in forcing his naval policy through
the Reichstag. The exigencies Of politics are
not confined to American Presidential elections.
All rulers and statesmen of the first rank are
good politicians flexible leaders of men and
nations, and masters Of the greatest Of all arts
that Of forecasting and directing Alright the
forces Of public opinion and governing their
countries successfully
Such i'll natured criticisms as I have been
roticing are the exceptions which prove the
rule that English friendship for America is real
and earnest. There was keen disappointment
here when il discovered that American
opinion was divided respecting the war in South
Africa, and not united and unclouded with doubt |
and suspicion. as vas English support of Amer |
lea during the war with Spain. There has been
a general feeling Of regret that America has |
not acted heartily with England in China but |
has withdrawn from all European entangle- |
ments in settling her own grievances against |
the Empress and the guilty mandarins |
Thoughtful Englishmen now realize that Amer |
lea viii never be ally for any European |
Power, and that her statesmen viii always |
rraintain independence Of action. and that Ma |
tional policies VIII be worked out in a character |
istic American way. These conclusions do not |
interfere with the steady development of friend |
ship and good feeling for America. If the Eng |
lish people must depend exclusively upon their |
own colonies for moral and military support in |
their wars. and under no circumstances expect |
the state Department TO be anything but indie |
pendent in its diplomacy, they can al least ad-
ruire and respect Nation whose DresBerity has