Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-01
SUNDAY. JANUARY /, 1919.
A British-.,nicrican Entente

IF the Washington conference accomplshcs
nothing else OF, monumental value it at
least has brought into II closer agreement
and more harmonious relationship the two
great Notwithstanding nations of the world.
s The British and the Americans were never
on better terms or more generously and
cordially disposed toward each other than
they arc now as the important lnterna tonn
conclave draws to a close.
Nor does one need to be IN Anglophle
to realize the importance to the peace and
= progress of the world OF such an under
A standing. With America and Great Britain
\ working together whether or not they be
bound by an alliance or engage in any hands
ncross-the-sea formalities, they are suffl-
ciently powerful and resourceful to domin-
ate the affairs of the world. Nor do they
q need to resort TO arms employ fleets or
4 WELD the club in order TO accomplish their
ends. The moral and economic pressure Of
4 such combination is we'll nigh irresistible.
1t was we'll understood before the Wash
> ington conference assembled that the AmerI-
y can delegation would sit down with Arthur
1 Balfour and his colleagues ut the very out
set, and would want to know without any
equiyocation whether or not the British were
with America in the enterprise before them
..pr were against America. III the British
ware with us and were willing to give proof
OF that fact, they would throw into the
discard the Anglo-Japanese alliance. con
sent to an American navy Approximately as
formidable as that under the British flag.
and unite with this nation in a sincere effort
= to 'straighten out the tangled affairs OF
China.
The British have met every one of these
tests. They scrapped the old alliance with
Japan, hnding way to 40 it without Of
Tending the japanese government or the
Japanese people. They proposed n four
cornered agreement a substitute for tho
old military compact, an agreement TO which
| america assehted and one in which the
French were invited to participate This
hatlon could ask for no more on that score
n Also, the British. who for centuries hova
dominated the seas and believed that their
very existence as an empire was conditioned
upon thelr maintenance of Il navy supnrior
~ any ano"t' agree without haRgling TO n
Ha'ai limitation program which would give
''e United states sea strength equal if not
SUPERIOR 10 their own. No more significant
concession could possibly have been made Inv
nation which has twice made war upon
America and twice more was on tho ynrpn
OF war with this country
|S$ rlnaily, the British have stood with tbo
s&Americans upon every ilnportan, Far Eo.,-
~ ern proposition. The Japanese have in
sEESsnrged from time Ia time The French hoyn
Isl tossed a monkey wrench, upon occasion but
NJ 80 ~ ~ i'iSt' mere mas been sign nj
m cotfict between America ana Grao, prI,a,,
n Hor ms this entente between the EnpIish.
sSspeaking nations been brought abou, Inv
K sac!ihces on the part of the United States
b ouch sacrihces as were necessary To cnn-
Is shnmate IL We're made by the BRITISH o,a
WIN good grace. Americans can nfford
therelore. TO give cheer for the British
aol as !nihtaiF allies. not as mere diplomatic
Il hnnd-shakers, but ms sincere onl $50,
friends. ''''''