Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-31

stag in 1889, II regard England as our old tradl-
tional ally with whom have no conflicts OF in
terest.' BY the term ally" ne explained, he
meant only relations of mutual trust and good WILL
not anything like formal diplomats agreement
But, he went Oh to say, Il wish to preserve the
close relationship which have had for over
one hundred and fifty years, even in colonial ques-
tions; and if thought We in danger of losing
it, should be very careful to try prevent that
happening" This was how the greatest German
of them all professed to regard the Power whom
the upstart Junkers a few years later Tell 10 at
lacking as an implacable foe of the Fatherland.
Bismarck was unprincipled but he was pru-
dent The sabre-rattling Kaiser who seized the
reins of government from the discreet Chancellor
was then, as he is now, unprincpled and lmpru-
dent. He made no attempt to conceal his envy Oh
EngIand's greatness. Obsessed with the idea that
he had divine right" to rule not only Germany
but Europe as we'll and the world to boot, this
pinchbeck Napoleon conceived intense, unrea-
soning hatred of things British, because the Brit
ish navy stood in the way of his ambition. German
writer's whose business is to echo the Hohenzol-
lern grunt and growl allude continually to British
schemes to thwart Germany's legitimate aspira-
tions. But they are at great pains never to go
into particulars that point or produce Jot OF
proof There is, however, an instance of where
British influence thwarted a German aspiration.
In the circumstances leading up to the Spanish
American war; Germany covertly hostile to
the United States. In divers ways she sought to
contrive a European alignment against us, going
so far as to make rather definite suggestions for
that purpose to England, who spurned them.
Then, On that memorable May morning when
Dewey vas making for Manila Bay, German
Admiral who lying by approached a British
Admiral with what was virtually proposal that
the German men-of-war take charge of the situa-
ton and send the American squadron, limping
home The British Admirals reply threw the Ger
man into high dudgeon; and from that day for
ward the Kaiser cared less and less for both Eng
land and the United States A German "aspira-
ton" had been thwarted.
At this stage of events it is really superfuous
to continue adducing evidence of Germany's un-
bounded and INSCRIPTIONS ambition to domineer.
The whole world knows how cyncally she in
trigued against neutral and friendly lands we'll
as it knows how fendishly she dealt and still
deals with those she invaded. The world knows
that Germany planned this war, prepared for it
and precipitated it, in the face of all that humane
and peace-loving nations could do to prevent it.
There is really no more need of pleading, to any
fair and informed mind, the justice of England's
case than that of Americas But the mes
sage from the Baptist Union Of Great Britain and
Ireland to the Baptists of the United States is
none the less admirable none the less compelling
in its splendid earnestness and truth. Through
the generous interest of Mr.. Richard H. Edmonds
of Baltimore, this document has been printed and
distributed. 1t will the highly valuable
purpose of revealing the heart and soul Of demo-
cratic England more clearly to our nation and of
deepening the ties of spirit between English
speaking. justice-loving peoples. ..