The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-29
A FRIEND in NEED.

Some of the anti-BritiSh Americans have
recently been calling for evidence TO show
that Great Britain was our friend during
the war with Spain. If any of these gentle
men will take the trouble to glance over
the files of any newspaper pubhsheo IN
1888. he will find an accumulation of evil
dence that will convince him that pending
the war agitation Great Britain lost no OPP
portunity to show her friendship and to let
the powers of Europe understand that~she
was our friend and would be our friend in
any emergency that might arise
On March 18th, 1898, cablegram from
London was printed in the daily papers, In
which was given report OF speech mace
by member of the House of Commons
Hon Herbert Valentine Duncombe gave
notice that he would ask the ministry
whether, with a view of recognizing the
identity of the interests of all English
speaking people. her Majesty's govern
men. would consider the advisablhty OF
placing tho service OF the British fleet at
the disposal of the United States in the
event OF complications between the United
States and any foreign power Mr. Dun
combo did not put the question, because
in conference with friends it was thought
inopportune. However he subsequently
said that his question was framed owing to
the widely held opinion in the House OF
Commons that il was high time the foreign
powers should be told in unmistakabie
llIo ait l7a,.
Britain or tha United States was equal TO
blow a: the other. II was profoundly
convinced of this to-day" he added. Many
more members than l supposed would do
50 came to mo in order to say that they
heartily endorsed my question. / am con-
WINGED that the government would have
desired TO answer my proposed question
aftirmatiyely, and would have done so
had il not involved other considerations
besides expressing, what believe the pres
ent government sincerely holds, that in the
face of foreign complications the interests
in tho future of Great Britain and the
United States ara inseparaby entwined.
About the same time Lord Charles Beres-
ford took occasion TO say that England en-
tertained the most friendly regard for the
United States, and that 'if the United
States goes to war, no matter what hap
pened al the. beginning, she must even
tually win because of the enthusiasm and
intense patriotism of her people
A little while after that ii was given out
from Roma that the powers of Europe
ba+, tl,a mi cd pc
and Spain in favor of the latter country,
and thas the intervention would take the
form OF Q naval demonstration But when
there was talk Of mediation Great Britain
promptly declined TO take any part with
the other powers of Europe, and so the
proposition fell through.
Abou: tho Same timn the Associated Press
gave out from London that it was in po-
sition to announce that the British govern
ment had assured the United States OF its
fuiles. and most cordial sympathy in its
Cuban policy. This assurance. it declared,
was given with the most complete knowl-
edge OF the latest developments in the ne
so1iations between the United States and
Spain and on the understanding that even
these are tending slowly towards armed in
tervention in Cuba.
WI have by, no means exhausted the
proofs that we have found in casually
looking over the files OF The Times, but
We have given enough to convince any
fair-min6ed man that when we needed a
friend wa found a friend in Great Britain.
Ye.. there are those who are now making
| a great political stir because this govern
ment failed TO give its aid and encourage
ment to the Beers while Great Britain
was carrying on war in South Africa.
We know that this is not popular talk
but i. is Gods truth. and that is what we
ara hero TO proclaim.