The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-29
The FRIENDLINEss OF EUROPE

= Walter Wellman's statement of the atti-
tude Of Great Britain toward us in 1898,
derived from a retired American states
man, corroborates what has been less spe-
officially stated before. Great Britain,
undoubtedly DIS Lord Cranborne stated,
the other day, while joining the other
powers in wishing for peaceful solu-
ton of the difficulty with Spain, fatty re-
fused to join them in the second move
metn to bring a pressure upon the United
States to withdraw from her antagonism
toward Spain. The nature Of the pressure
to be used has not >been diVnlged. Our
own state department archives would re-
veal it, : The archives Of the British
government and of the other powers would
reveal it, but tits probable that the docu
ments Will not yer? soon see the light OF
day.
1t is interesting, of course, to see the
anxiety of the continental powers just
now to, disclaim responsibility for part1cl-
patton in the movement to intervene.
Germany is showing extraordinary
friendliness and good will. France puts
friendship for this country. Russia
washes her hands of the affair. Austria,
the prime mover in the Intervention
proposition, is not talking. She was our
enemy jointly with Spain during the war
with the latter, her sympathy being
based upon the fact that an Austrian
archduchess became the Queen of, Spain
and is now regent of the kingdom in the
minority of the heir to the throne.
Austria is, day, so far as her press
and public are concerned, as bitter as
gall toward us because Of our industrial
competition. She is suffering from the
excuses of the racial feud between Slav
and. Teuton and the treatened assumption
OF absolute independence on the part OF
the Magyars Of Hungary, who are tired
of the fragile link which holds them as
the eastern member Of the dual empire.
So far as the best friend business IS
concerned, Americans who are not addict
ed to irrational hatred of England are
fully aware that England stands in that
relation. Now that emerged from the
war with Spain a mighty, independent,
wealthy world power, startling the old
world by our rise to industrial supremacy,
1t is not surprising that. our friendship
is very eagerly sought by Europe. We
have reason 10 maintain friendly relations
with all Europe. The German reichstadt 5
tariff commission yesterday Bitterly talked
retaliation against JUS and proposed to
| mo " N
| rates. but all the same the astute emperor
! offsets this talk with the most obsequlous
| attentions to our government and people.
Americans. who chronically illuminate
against England and express the wish that
the British empire may disintegrate, over
look the fact that if British trade
we're annihila.ed, many millions OF Amerl-
! can producers would suffer greatly, Our
! exports to England are more than double
our exports to France, Germany, 1taly'
Russia and Austria combined, and third
! greater. than to all continental Europe
and larger than our exports to all the rest
! of the world. No acute American busl-
| ness man or manufacturer cares about an
| tagonizing a trade like that. 1t would
be folly. Our manufacturing energy re-
ouires all the markets We can get and
hold We are compelled to go forward.
! A glut in production means the prostra-
ton of our industries and trade. Our
commerce has increased with the expan-
sion Of the British empire. Britain mas
opened the way for us in many countries
and we get large proportion of thei1
trade. Self interest, of course, entered
into her decisive veto Of the, continental
nrcnosition to: intervene and prevent. oul
war with Spain, but that does not mln1m'
ize the Importance to us of that act.