New-York tribune., 1902-02-23
"HANDS ALL ROENDr"

Last though by no means least, the aSSur-
comes that Austria, too. entirely
friendly to in 1898. True the sorely tried
Queen Regent of Spain was an Austrian grand
duchess. True. Austria had felt as she does
to-day. the stress of American commercial
competition in an exceptional degree True the
memory of this countrys reading of the riot act
in Mexico and the consequent withdrawal of
Maximilian's French support, and that unfortu-
nate princes fall and death, had not yet faded
from the Austrian mind If there was any
power in Europe that might without gratuitouS
malice have champiOned the cause of Spain TO
the extent Of feeling some anmosity against
the ualted States, that power was Austria.
Yet We are assured that she did not do so.
She not in the least unfrendly to US. What
ever she did said against the war was not
against the United States. but simply in behalf
Of peace for our sake as well as Spaln's 1t
is a pleasant assurance, a gift horse whose
mouth need not care to scrutnze. How
ever little this country may need the friend
ship. or however little it may dread the dis
pleasure, Of any particular power. il is beyond
doubt agreeable to have the various powers dis
claim all unfriendness toward US and if would
be both churlsh and foolish for us to 20 out of
our way 10 disprove or TO challenge their amia-
bic prOtestations
Again, here is the case Of Japan and her
treaty with Great Britain At first blush it
seemed as though she had scored heavily
against her traditional rival Russia. The treaty
seemed 10 be directed squarely against Russia
and TO put the latter in the unpleasant predca-
ment of having to back down from her preten-
sons and ambitions in China or fight But now
there come the most vigorous and profuse dec
larations that the treaty is not only entirely
agreeable 10 Russia. but is just what she has
long been wanting, it is designed to promote
the very interests which she has most at heart
In fact, Russia would have been glad to make
Just such treaty with Japan herself or to
have entered into it with Japan and Great Brit
ain. making it trpartite instead OF bpartite
More than that, il is solemnly averred that If
Marquis Ito had not made the treaty with Great
Britain he would certainly have made exactly
the same treaty with Russia and France We
not aware that Marquis Ito. or any lana
nese authority. corroborates this latter state
ment; and certainly Japan ought TO know as
much about II any one else And on the face
of il must confess that ii bears some i'm
press of improbability. Yet If Russia wishes
TO have II so. there is no reason for our being
churlsh as to deny her the satisfaction Let
the record stand-that Russia has consistently
been in favor Of the open door in Manchuria
and in all Of China, and that she really wei
coined the presence Of one OF our warships at
New-Chwang a token that the United States
proposed to maintain its treaty rights in that
treaty port.
In brief. this seems TO be time for 'hands
all round" 1t is no longer "Codlin's the friend
not Short" but both Goblin and Short are sin
cere and affectionate friends TO all the Little
Nells in the world If diplomatic professions
and protestations TO be taken without salt
there are no more international jealouses. in
trigues. animosities. Peace and goodwill pre-
vail Every power is every other powers best
friend. Hands all roundr' OF course. some
people may make cynical remarks, and it may
he that tomorrow some little riffs Will appear
In some Of these sweet toned international