ALLIANCE, There seems to be a reasonable prospect of the mutual good feeling between England and America being crystallized into new treaty relations. There are, however, not few relations which must be changed if is to be brought about. Both nations seem willing to forget their past differences in the necessity of the present hour.
There are three or four potent influences inst such an alliance. The Chicago inter-Ocean recently referred to the past friendship of Russia for America, Its statement fairly represents the popular idea in America in regard to Russia. Our obligation to Russia began with the de. claration of Gortschakoff rests European powers from interfering in our Civil War. It was increased during the negotiations that led to the transfer of Alaska to our flag. In all our international controversies sines that time Russia has stond as our friend." It must be clearly seen that if an Anglo-American commercial alliance is entered into the United States must place itself in opposition to Russia in the Far East. A second fact is noted in the hostility of the vast number of Irishmen and Germans who have migrated to America, There are some exceptions, but the very great majority of Irishmen are not slow to use their influence against such an alliance. A third obstacle is the professed affection of France for America. As a sentiment this has always been retained, but as a fact it has little force. A fourth reason for the slowness which has marked the drawing together of these two English-speaking nations is found in the immense territory which the United States has been obliged to subdue to agriculture, the arts, manufactures, etc. Its ¢ commercial, responsibilities have naturally. been within, tHe; its own, borders.
This, has, been a, valid. reason for the non-alliance policy so steadily maintained.
But the greatest argument against for-reign alliances with the Americans, isin Washington's Farewell Address." He said; "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world." This declaration was taken up by Thomas Jefferson and made more emphatic, and in the Jeffersonian form it has fastened itself for decades on Amorican policy. In addition Washington's advice in another State paper has a bearing on the matter in hand. The Monroe Doctrine has at least an indirect relation to the question:
Bat at present there is a marked turning from these historic precedents. Ex-Secrotary of State Olney has an article in the May Atlantic Monthly in which he calls the country to repudiate a policy which it has completely outgrown. He says: To [awfully are instead of being an im: refect American citizens wherever they
pertinent intrusion into foreign politico, isto. accomplish one: of the chief ends for which the national Govern: ment was instituted; and if the Government can do its daty with an where it must fail without, and even if it can more securely and efficiently do that duty with an ally than it can without, it~ would be not merely. folly but recreancy alliance." He takes los of trade in Chinese ports and territory that are accorded to the people of any other country? Woe loudly hark Groat Britain on to the task of achieving that result, but come to the rescue ourselves with not a gun, nora man, nor a ship—nith nothing but our moral supper"
The Hon. E. elbs, formerly Amorican Minister in London, and now professor of international law at Yale University, has lorsement, of the now "All, who think, cannot a sanction like that of ich binds us in partnership in the serious work of the world." Harper's Weekly says editorially: " And if an allice could be made in pursuance of which all English-speaking peoples would agree that an assault by @ foreign Power upon one of them would be an assault upon all we doubt not but war would become a very remote possibility, and that the efforts~of Continental powers to limit the expansion or to take ai the territory of Great Britain in Asia and Africa would come to end." Speaking of the present friendly ce-operation of Great Britain, and of the past attitude of America, the Independent says: "It may be that we are awakening to 8 sense of international obligation which may open a now era in our history, and increase greatly our power for good among the peoples of the earth. There, never was a time when the friendship of the English people was more acceptable to us than now; there never was a time when it was offered so freely and unreserved ly. It is a great thing to have so stout an ally in the courts of the Governments of the world as Great Britain." The Atlanta Constitution wields a great influence in the South. It says: "With the sections bound together by stronger ties of mutual sympathy than have united them atony time since the late war between the States, and with the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race cordially clasping hands across the seas, what power dare molest us with impunity?" The Boston Transcript writes strongly on Free Commercial Alliance," and after noting that Britain and America have increasing and identical interests in China the per remarks: In view of the immense service already rendered the United States by. Great Britain's attitude in reference to the-troubles with Spain we cannot, even
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.