Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1901 — Anti-American Alliance. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Anti-American Alliance.

That the Spectator in warning us against a possible European anti-alli-ance is largely moved by the hope of convincing us that England is our only friend in Europe is easy to see. Nevertheless there is a certain amount of foundation for its warnings. The

ruling classes of Europe hate the United States and its governmental policies. In the first place, this country represents to them the overthrow of aristocratic privilege, dn.the second place, they have not yet outgrown the eighteenth century idea that colonies, dependencies, or “protectorates” are simply to be exploited for the benefit of the “mother” country. The loss of her American colonies forced England to abandon a large portion of that idea. Russia perhaps from the fact that her annexations have all been contiguous, seems largely to have escaped its influence. The United States never held it, and now protects the Latin-American republics against its extension. Wherever the American flag has gone orderly liberty and industrial equality have gone with it. We have never discriminated, as a settled policy, against the industries or the commerce of our new possessions. We have even refused to turn to our commercial advantage the virtual protectorate that we hold over the Latin-American states. While for our own safety we insist that “our fiat on this continent is law,” we utter It only against Eu-

ropean aggression (as We did when England tried to hold up Venezuela at our very doors), and not for our pecuniary advantage. Since the United States thus stands as the great bulwark of independent national development and equality of all under the same flag, against the European idea of colonial dependency and exploitation, the ruling classes of Europe have good reason to hate us. And, while the European masses undoubtedly think otherwise, they may be misled for a time into permitting their rulers to try to give their hate tangible effect. That part of the Spectator’s warning, therefore, which counsels us to increase our fleet and be ready to defend our position -is most timely. The privileged classes of Europe (Russia excepted) cannot be expected to give up without a struggle, and we should be prepared.—EX.