Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-27
UNCLE Sam and JOHN BULL
Our Attitude In Event of Ger.
man. British War.
London Spectator Intimstes We Gould
Not AHord TO Remain Neutral
better for Us That England
should Have Command OF
Seas.

The naval hysteria in England has
reached the point where discussion arises
as to how the foreign nations would line
tp In the event of i}ritish-Gernlan
war. Replying to a statement in the
Springfield Republican that the United
States coud only remain neutral in such
a conflict the Spectator says; we ven
ture to say that the statesmen of Amer
lea realize this moment, and that later
On the bulk Of the American people Will
realize that it would be little short Of a
national disaster If the command Of tina
sea were lost by Britain and were to
pass into German hands"
America, in spite Of her tremendous
coast line and her possession OF tie
great archipelago Of the Philippines
and still more. IN spite OF those great
interests in spanish South America and
Brazil, which are defined in the Monroe
doctrine, has always been able to acGu-
esce with easy mind in British command
| OF the sea. The reasons are plain"
In the first place. America has a.
| ways realized that We could not Use
our command of The sea In any pav
which could greatly damage her for the
very good reason that Canada is a part
or the British Empire In Canada tie
Americans feel that they possess a host
age which secures them from any exer-
else of the power that comes from tho
| command of the sea, which they wouId
find intolerable Further, American
statesmen now that we are in reality.
silent partners with them IN the MOI roe
Doctrine. 1t was British statesman.
Canning. who originally suggested the
formulation OF the Monroe Doctrine.
enc since then. We repea tedly, in fact II
not In word. have acknowledged the
| binding character Of that doctrine
The State Department at Washington
nOws. In fact that If they should ever
deem II wise 70 approach the govern
rnents Of Europe with view to getting
| q general acceptance Of that policy put
| on record no opposition would come
from this country. Therefore, those who
| control the foreign policy Of America
vii! have no anxieties so long as the
command of the sea remains in British
hands
NO doubts there is a certain party in
the United States who desire that their
own country should be in the fun COM
nand Of the sea. II however they cam
not induce the people Of America 20
the ifmence fleet required for that pur-
pose they would much rather that the
control should remain in our hands We
venture to go further and say that
though the American people are from
| many points of view very friendly with
Germany statesmen Of Washington
| would rather see the command Of the
SEQ IN almost any other hands than
| those OF Germany. and for this reason:
| They know that the German ambitions
| and aspirations in the matter Of word
| power must II Germany hold the com
| nand OF the sea tend TO bring her into
| conflict with the Monroe Doctrine
"Germanys intentions are no doubt
very friendly but II she held command
| or the sea IT is Impossible to doubt that
| rhe would expect America 10 be 'rea-
sonabe. as she would call IT, in regard
| 10 the Monroe Doctrine and push an o.
| preston OF policy which Germany con-
siders out of date 10 it's Logical conclu-
son. For example she would rot dee.n
| II friendly act on the part Of Amertc.
t. refuse recognition of her claim -
special interests IN southern Brazil
| Again, II she We're able to win tho sreu-
! TIC % the seas she could not De expected
no. 10 desire the possess.o. of soma
Islands in the West Indies. In word
the State department knows that Z
Germany wee once to obtain the con-
| n6nd of the seas she would be certain
TO claim the privileges and ADVANTAGES
O. that position and that it would b..
idle to ask her TO do homage to what
81" would regard as a WORKOUT trad
tor formulated by not very oonsplcu-
o's American president some ninety
years ago.
Further. American statesmen know
that If such a clash of interests vera
to take place they would not have the
power to bring pressure upon Germany
whic hthey possess in our case owing
| to the continuity Of the frontier between
Canada and the United States To put
the matter with perfect candor. they
iave hold upon us which they have
not upon Germany. Germany. If she
once obtained the command of the sea.
would be quite out Of reach OF any AM
crican pressure. German supremacy
| over Britain at sea, Of permanent
| lind. would at once make II necessary
for America t secure herself and tie
policy that she has created by OUT
building ami out organizing Germany in
the matter OF sea power. But that
right prove a task Of the greatest diff
G. Ky, FOR It IS hardly likely that Ger
many, having won the command OF the
sea would quietly allow the United
States to w-eSt il from her. II Is not
for Us to suggest what will be the ult,-
nate or practical effect of these con-
sideratiNns. lat We do say without fear
of contra dieton that they exist and that
they must affect the attitude taken up
by the United States toward any struggle