The sun., 1919-09-09

Of the splendid infantry Of England and
her dominions; all the dash and fire Of
the spirited generals and armies of
Italy would have been of no
avail Europe would have been at the
| feet of the conuuerof before the people
of the United States had realized just
what was happening and even the great
American republic must have been tenn
porarily at least-and heaten only
knows to what extent or how perma-
hnently-at the mercy of German sub
marines and German airplanes and
German Schrecklichkeit.
! All Inspired by Patriotism.
What have said in praise of Eng
land Is no more than any American or
Canadian or Australian or New Ze9-
lander or Africander may generously
and ought justly to confess, without
abating one jot or title of patriotic
pride In the merits and achievements of
his own country. What I have said 10
equally consistent with the recognition
Of many sad mistakes of policy and
some crimes against the spirit of justice
and humanity on the part of the great
statesmen to whom the destinies OF the
empire have ct times been entrusted.
Nor am 1 suggesting Cor a moment
that TIE policy OF Elizabeth or of Wilt
lam of Orange or of Pitt or of Asquith
or of Lloyd George has at all times been
dictated by altruistic or even humani-
tartan motives. EliZabeths first and
only thought was for the safety of the
realm of England Williams first caro-
was probably the protection OF his fell
low Dutchmen from the asgressions OF
Louis. Pitt probably had wider out
look over the affairs of Europe. AMI
Asquith may be Justly credited with n
sincere regard for the sacredness Of
treaties and the safety of the small ma
tons. But, on the other hand, it may
have TO be conceded that one and all
we're inspired by the spirit of a strictly
rational Patriotism, or perhaps even at
some important crises by a yet mar
rover outlook such as that of chatham
when. as i have somewhere heard or
read, he questioned. after an interview
with Wolfe, whether the safety of the
administration" could be entrusted 70
the hands of such a one as he seemed
to be.
However, after all that can be said
in criticism of the motives and impulses
that have governed the policy of our
empire builders in our own day or dur
ing the centuries that have gone, 1t re-
HdlnS true, as lorQ RoSebery once said
that the British Empire is the creates:
secular power for good that the world
has ever seen.
To the United States is now presented
the opportunity of playing the same great
part In the future history of civilization
that England has played in the past.
With no permanent alliances, she can
hold herself ready to take the part of
the under dog and save the world should
1t ever again be menaced by perils such
as those we have SO narrowly escaped.
IL Is an alluring programme and I do
not wonder that II has captured the
imagination of prominent statesmen in
the great Republic. who. would prefer
1t to the more ambitious protest of a
Leagues of nations. 1t is the policy of
splendid ISOLATION" which at one time
captlvated the fancy of eminent British
statesmen. No one need deny or min
inze the splendor of such a national at
titude. Nevertheless, IL space can be
spared in the columns of THE SUN and
If the patience of its readers is not al
ready exhausted, hope that in a later
ISSUE shall be able to show unto Won
a more excellent way.