The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-04
Have Anglo American Relations
Cooled "a Little?

e0I LQCIo ID INV wv obto " hA~@eS
In the feeling with which America and
Americans are regarded by the people
of Great Britain. Less respect and liking
for us are exhibited than was the case
two years ago. A similar opinion is
expressed, we are told, by the Outlook.
which recognizes a s~lackening Of the tide
that not long since seemed setting full
and fair toward an Anglo-American
understanding. Assuming such a change
of British sentiment to be a fact, We may
do we'll to inquire the cause Of it.
It will help us to put our finger on the
cause if We fix more precisely the date
of the phenomenon. The truth is that
not a sign Of any change in the feeling
OF regard for Americans professed by
Englishmen was visible before the au-
tumn Of 1905, and only within the last
few months has such a change been
unmistakable. The cause, therefore,
cannot have been envy provoked by
a calling comparison of American
prosperity with E~ngland's industrial
depression nor jealousy Of President
RoosEvELT's intimacy with the German
Ambassador at Washington. So far as
these things are concerned Englishmen
had about as much ground for vexation
in the spring Of 1905 as they have to-day.
As for the assumption that the exposure
of our business methods in the matters
of the Chicago beef trust and of railway
rebates has impelled Englishmen to turn
away from us more in sorrow than in
anger, it seems to us far fetched. 1t
would be well for Englishmen to clear
their WI business skirts before affect
ing to be shocked at the spots on ours.
The army contract scandals in South
Africa and the revelation of the revolt
ing conditions under which meats are
timed in Great Britain for domestic
consumption are remembered.
Something did occur, however, in the
summer Of 1905, reflection upon the pos
sible consequences of which may well
give the conscience Of Englishmen a
twinge and lead them to ask themselves
whether they have played the part OF q
loyal friend toward their indispensable
purveyor and best customer, the United
States. At the very time when our Gov
eminent was absorbed in disinterested
efforts at Portsmouth TO bring about a
restoration of peace in the Far East the
British Foreign Ohice-apparently with
out a thought Of the conceivable effect
on Angio-American RELATIONSHIPS Sc
cretly concluding an offensive as well
as defensive alliance with Japan, which
binds the parties to assist each other
should either become involved in wal
with ever a single Power. The treaty
contains 10 qualifying clause relieving
the British people from the duty of
cooperating with the Japanese should
the latter engage in a contest with the
other branch Of the English speaking
race. We should bear in mind that
unless the British Government should
proclaim itself faithless by tearing up
the treaty the moment it's obligations
became irksome it could not remain
neutral in a struggle between the Japa-
nese and ourselves for the possession OF
the Philippines. 1t would be bound to
assist our enemies.
This disagreeable contingency-which
should have been kept in view when the
Angio-Japanese treaty was framed and
which doubtless would have been pointed
out had Government been consid-
erately cc~nsulted-has been brought
rudely home to 'Englishmen since we
arrested and punished Japanese seal
fishermen for violations of law in Aleu-
tian waters and especially since the
Toxic Government has evinced resent
ment at the exclusion of its subjects
from the public schools Of San Francisco.
Nor is it surprising that Englishmen
should feel a good deal irritated by the
looming up Of a situation, at least con-
ceivable, in which they would find them
selves constrained either to forfeit our
good will or sacrifice that alliance with
Japan which they have come to look
upon as the bulwark of India.
OF course if E~nglishmen were models
of equity they would put the blame for
their possible exposure to a ~grievous
alternative exactly where it belongs, |
namely, on the want OF provision exhib-
tied by themselves and their Govern
ment at the date when the treaty with
Japan was signed. At that time the
Mikado's advisers would no doubt have
'assented to q clause excluding the United
States from the list Of countries against
which England would agree TO COOPER
ate. But the British negotiators gave
not a thought to the American friend
whom they professed 10 prize so highly;
they had in mind only the expediency Of
protecting themselves against the proba-
bility that Russia's expansive force,
turned back from the Pacific, would be
diverted toward the Indian Ocean.
We on u part have done absolutely
nothing to justify any cooling in Eng
lands friendship for this country. The
truth is, w suspect, that intelligent
Englishmen are becoming uneasily con-
scious Of the fact that they failed to show
much foresight or much loyalty when
they entered into a compact which
under conceivable circumstances might
compel them to side with an Oriental