The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-12-27

a particularly ungrateful procedure
because Great Britain gave the United
States aid during its complications with
Spain. In view Of this alleged fact tn,
Chronicle says that Great Britain car
neither desire nor trust the friendship
of the United States in the future"
A charge Of this character raises tn,
interesting question whether Great
Britain placed the United States un-
der a weighty obligation during its wa,
with Spain, and. II so. in what manner
1t is not possible for the British to con-
tend that the military and naval re-
sources Of this country would not have
been equal to the emergency which our
difficulty with Spain created. 1t is true
that English publicists at the opening
of the conflict freely predicted that the
Spanish navy would sweep our fleets
from the ocean. and it was interesting
ly demonstrated by means Of the game
of 'Kreig-spier' that Admiral Dewey
would have no show in the Philippines.
The same class OF writers also predicted
that our raw volunteers would not be
able to stand up before the disciplined
forces of the Spaniards in Cuba. But
the result showed that these critics
were in error, and there is no sane per-
son today who viii contend that the
Spaniard was not easy game for US.
This being the case, if we needed no
assistance to thrash the Spaniard,
how did Great Britain help US? 1t is
said by those who are constantly talk
ing about the obligation We were placed
under by British friendship in this in
stance. that Great Britain prevented
the formation Of a world coalition
against US which would have practical
ly tied our hands. But there is no ev-
idence that this is true. On thecontrary.
the alleged prime mover in the as
sumed hostile movement against the
United States. vigorously denied the
charge and produced proof that de-
liberate Misrepresentation had been re-
sorted to by English journalists in or
der to convey the impression to Amerf-
cans that the Germans were their enc
mics.
But that is neither here nor there.
1t does not matter whether Germany,
Austria, or any other power sought to
bring a pressure upon the United States
by means Of European coalition. 1t
is possible. even probable, that such
an idea was conceived. But it is alb
surd 10 assume that it was seriously
entertained or could have been carried
out. Had Germany, Austria or any
other country made overtures looking
to the tying Of the hands of the United
States. their Jealous rivals would have
instantly seized the opportunity to
make themselves solid with this coun-
try. Had Great Britain listened to a
suggestion Of that character it would
have at once occurred to the Russians
that they could strengthen the senti-
mental bond which is supposed to exist
between Russia and the United States.
Had Germany complicated herself by
acting irrationally in the premises,
France would not have been slow to get
on the other side. If self-lnterest had
not induced disagreements we could
easily have promoted them. It would
have been no trick to detach any mem
Der or members of the proposed coali-
ton by simple suggestion that its or
their interests would be best subserved
by adhering closely to a policy Of nom
interference with our affairs.
That these are correct inferences the
paragraphs quoted from the London
Chronicle clearly demonstrate. That
paper speaks Of British complications
in South Africa and China as though
1t were new experience for Great
Britain to be in position which would
make It impossible for her to resent
our action. It is hardly necessary to
remind even the casual reader that
South African complications had not
ripened when President Cleveland in
dulged himself in what the Chronicle
calls an insolent speech, but there were