| Show ANGLO AMERICAN ALLIANCE when hostilities between the united d states and spain first were talked of it was apparent that the continental powers of europe were determined to m make ake the cuban question one of E european u concern prance france seconded by austria opened negotiations with russia and germany and the last named country responded cordially to the pr propositions 0 the plan failed however because great britain whose eo co opera tion was deemed essential refused to be a party to the scheme the ide idea of the european cabinets was to induce great britain to undertake a naval demonstration off our atlantic coast in favor of the european concert and in case the americans should refuse to yield to this display of at power the worst that could happen would be a quarrel between the two english speaking nations and while this lasted europe would be free me to pursue ate own plane elsewhere england perceived at once the situa tion and refused to lend itself to the well laid plot public opinion in great britain sounded a note of warning to europe and aind the powers reluctantly abandoned the plan of treating cuba as they had crete they found it dan berous to swum assume e the role of peace m makers akers so often played at constan ti nople and the war was commenced with assurances of strict neutrality spain undoubtedly relying on europe was simply left to her fate A contributor to the july review london takes the view that the english policy regarding cuba is a complete reversal of her former attitude on this question and that this change of front is a positive evidence ovide nce of the existence of an anglo american understanding he argues that the cuban question has never before been regarded as purely american or even edeli hispano american but one in which four powers the united states spain england and france have been inter bated he quotes the language of lord john in 1862 when president fulmore had hinted that cuba was no concern of great britain and prance france as follows if it to Is intended on the part of the united states to maintain that great britain and france have no interest in the maintenance of the present status quo in cuba and that the united states have alone a right to a voice in that matter her maje government at once refuses to admit such a claim her maje possessions in the west indies alone without insisting on the importance to mexico and other friendly states of the present distribution of power give her majesty an interest in this question which she can not forego while VV hile fully admitting the right of the united states to reject the proposal great Bri britain must at once resume her entire liberty and upon any occasion that may call for it be free to act singly or in conjunction with other powers as to her may seem fit this view has been set forth repeatedly when therefore in the present war great britain hils has changed her position the reason must be sought in new relations between the two countries of such a nature as aa to leave no room for the jealousy and suspicions which made the previous policy necessary this reasoning appears plausible and the matter is of peculiar interest because of the clouds of war that seem to be gathering over the horizon of eastern asia there is a war spirit in great britain at present the people are demanding aggressive action in or der to prevent russia from expelling british subjects from a field where they have a right to protection while engaged in lawful pursuits possibly the matter Is not yet beyond diplomatic resources but it is believed that war must come ultimately the request of mr goschen for money to build tour four new battle ships four cruisers and twelve torpedo boat destroyers and the statement that dussias Rus sias program 11 necessitates this addition to the navy indicate the seriousness of the situation but whether the catastrophe comes now noy or later the united states supposing the existence of an anglo american understanding der must be prepared to play some part in it and the question is in to what extent this country Is bound by such an understanding our in must be with great britain in every exploit for the cause of humanity tor for freedom and civilization |
