, 1921-07-25
MISUNDERSTANDING coRpIALE.

Some years ago when Arthur Bafour was premier
of Great Britain, he declared in an address at Man
chester: 1.-THE time may ome-nay the time must
come-when some statesman of authority, more for
tunate even than President Monroe, will lay down the
doctrine that between Engllsh-speaking peoples war
is impossible"
For two hundred years the sentiment of the peo-
pie of this continent has been unanimous that war
between English-speaking people is impossible except
as a final resort in defense of inalienable rights. 1t
was only when pushed to such extremity that the peo-
pie of this country went to war with an English
speaking people, as they did twice. And they reserve
the right TO do it again under similar circumstances.
Great Britain need not have the slightest fear of a
war between English-speaking nations if she will be
half way decent in her international dealings, hut
she can always remember that while we are not hunt
ing trouble we would not hesitate one single second
to trim her any time she attempts to pull a tail
feather out of our proud bird of freedom. We want
nothing that is British. We have no national ambiz
tons that are in any sense a menace to or in conflict
with her welfare. We want her to live as a peace
able neighbor should, and pursue happiness in her
own fashion, having due regard for the rights of every
body else and careful of international amenities.
Our people are not insensible to the fact that there
is evidence of a charge of heart, on the part of the
British government in the last half century. The
British people have always been friendly with the
people of the United States, and they have manifested
that friendship whenever opportunity presented. But
the ruling powers of the United Kingdom have not
always been in harmony with their subjects. 1t was
the government, not the people of Great Britain that
d drove them to revolution oppressed the colonists ar
1t was the government, not the people of Great Brl-
tain, that pursued the policy of stopping American
ships on the high seas and taking theretrom Amer
lean citizens and impressing them into the British
navy, thus forcing the war of 1872. 1t was the gov
eminent, not the people of Great Britain that en-
deavored to cooperate with the Confederacy and
thereby won the enmity of the north without gaining
the respect of the south, since the half promises were
never made good.
There was evidence of change of heart in 1898
when Dewey paralyzed the Spanish fleet in Manila
bay, and the German naval commander in those wa
tiers butted in and sought to assist the Spaniards. 1t
was then that the British commander let it be known
that there was a thorough understanding between
himself and Dewey. This obviated an ugly situation
and was an act of decency on the part of Britain's
representative. 1t was a small incident but it was
not overlooked at the time, nor has it been forgotten
since, for the American people are always delighted to
acknowledge manifestation of friendship from any
source. 1t was quite likely, the British commander,
being far from home and not in constant touch with
his government, acted on his own judgment, prompted
by the feelings he entertained as one of the millions