The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
Circulation Statement.
Europe Against America.

some notice of the interesting euiloi LII
which appeared in the London Spec
tator'' yesterday entitled The Cont
nent and America" because it conveys
new warning to the Government ana
people of this country that if the
United States with its vast resources.
organization. and energy, is 10 keep
on seizing opportunities to monopoiize
production Of and commerce in the
chief staples of international trade,
there will be trouble of a most Sc
rious nature. It seems impossible for
the people who are the beneficiaries of
the trust system, and the public whose
support they have bought or coerced
during the past few years, to realize
that the peculiar expansion of Amer
lean commercial enterprise, based on
trust industrial conditions. while it has
not benefited the masses of this country
as far as the accumulation of capital
by them is concerned. has placed the
nation in very much the position as re-
CARDS Europe that China held in Amer
lean popular opinion at the time the
Chinese Exclusion act was passed by
Congress.
Then. it will be recalled. public sent-
ment was quite Indifferent to the fact
that to deny to subjects of the Chi
nese Empire the right of residence in
the United States which they undoubt-
eily possessed under existing treaties
would be to violate the principles and
rules of International law. and to put
the Republic in the position Of ignoring
a solemn engagement without hesita-
ton or conscience. Public sentiment
had its way, and the legislative and
executive branches Of the Government
Joined in a movement which, however
much it might be justified on the
ground Of domestic policy, certainly in
volved cool defiance of an international
contract obligation.
1t is easy enough for Americans to
understand why they ought to be al
lowed to seek their own advantage in
cases where the same must be at the
expense OF other nations; but they APP
pear to be conspicuously ignorant of or
Indifferent to the maxim that what is
good for the goose, seryeth also for the
fgander" In other words, they, or
rather their business and political bell
wethers, do not give proper value to
the probability that what we do to
others one Of these days may be done
to US on this account the argument
of the Spectator" is we'll worthy of
attention
he editor Of the journal in question
refers TO a statement recently made by
the Italian Admiral Count Canevaro. in
discussing the triple and dual alli-
ances. which. he said. had been guar
anty Of peace to Europe for thirty
years. in that connection the count
said: This fact would. perhaps. lead
European nations TO consider the ne
cessity of uniting against America.
Africa, and Asia. as the future of civ
ilization will require them 10 do So
The Spectator observes that this is
not the outburst of the man of the
street. for Count Canevaro was once
italian Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
and his utterance corresponds exactly
with that Of Count Goluchowski, the
Austro- Hungarian Foreign Minister.
and with the recent trend Of affairs.
Then the article goes on to discuss the
reasons why the whole of Europe is in
a state OF irritation toward America.
1t says:
The annoyance Of the Continent with America,
which Is very deep. is based upon three reasons,
the hTst being the dread. or rather the coiyic-
tion that competition with America Is nearly inn
possible. her wealth and energy being too great.
Both are employed. the Continent thinks to
nionopolize trade and - 10 control in the end
Al the wealth of the world. idea not without
advocates even among ourselves.
The second reason is that America j. sadly IL
the way in Asia. The whole action OF the WASH
ingtOn Government in the Chinese muddle points
10 the conclusion that. although the Americans
took the Philippines. they not willing 10 see
any but native Powers IN control Of the richest
countries OF Asia
-'The third reason is AmeTica's attitude ia
South America She will neither take IL nor
let anybody else.
''The total result Is q bitter dislike Of America
mixed with dread. Our object Is only 70 awaken
tine Americans from an illusion, TO induce them
to increase their feet and to persuade them 10
think steadily out what tbey are doing. They
may rely upon it that the Continent viii lose
nothing for want Of planning, and that. when
the alliance against America. Of which Admiral
CaneyarO talks. is transmitted into fact il will
be full grown and full armed
In our opinion, the above is good,
sound admonition. There is but too
much truth in the charge that, whereas
we have not scrupled to take the Phil
ippines. as beyond question It was our
right and duty 30 do. we have never
theless shown a disposition to oppose
European acquisitions on the Asiatic
mainland, and have acted the part of
a marplot throughout the Chinese en-
broslio. As for our policy with regard
TO South America, it is. Of course. inn
possible for Europeans 10 accept our
point Of view without reserve. 1t is,
and long has been, considered a ma
tional necessity that we should prevent
European aggressions upon the soil of
the Western Hemisphere: but we have
not always been true to our Monroe
Doctrine standard in that respect We
allowed Great Britain TO violate the
Clayton Bulwer Treaty and 10 establish
the Crown Colony Of British Honduras
in defiance Of the essential and basic
provisions and considerations included
in that agreement, without protest.
And. now. nearly half century after |
that act Of perfidy was committed
when the American people were in |
volveG in civil war and could not help |
themselves, they are humiliateI and |
Disguised to see leading men Dels of |
their Government engaged in an at
tempt to give England abSolution. by |
reyiving the violated. lapfed Clayton |
Bulwer Treaty and endorsing the as
sault upon the Monroe Doctrine COM |
mitted in its violation by the other |