from its bosom such a colony as now forms the United States of America? What colony could ever look back upon a loftier lineage than America, when, comparing her own wide and thriving domains with many of the sinking empires of Europe, she remembers her British descent, and feels, in a thousand traces of blood, and thoughts, and habits, and morals, her connection with the inviolate island of the brave and free?""

And it is not alone in the British isles that this sentiment is becoming established, but throughout the vast extent of the British empire, and wherever the English language is spoken. As Lord Brassey, governor of Victoria, says: "Considering that the peoples of the British empire and the United States are closely allied by blood, inherit the same literature and laws, hold the same principles of self-government, recognize the same ideas of freedom and humanity in the guidance of their national policy, and are drawn together by strong common interests in many parts of the world, this meeting is of opinion that every effort should be made in the interests of civilization and peace to secure the most cordial and constant coöperation on the part of the two nations." If as some say it is an enlightened self-interest that dictates the policy of England, then let it be an enlightened self-interest that dictates the policy of the United States. It is not possible for the two nations to find a firmer foundation on which to rest a permanent alliance than this unwritten treaty of mutual helpfulness. In terms more forcible than refined the Saturday Review speaks of the "slobbering cant and hypocritical blazoning of doubtful affection" between England and the United States, and thus continues: "Let us be frank and say outright that we expect mutual gain in material interests from this rapprochement. The American commissioners at Paris are making their bargain, whether they realize it or not, under the protecting naval strength of England, and we shall expect a material quid pro quo for this assistance. We expect the United States to deal generously with Canada on the matter of tariffs, and we expect to be remembered when the United States comes into possession of the Philippines, and, above all, we expect her assistance on the day, which is quickly approaching, when China comes up for settlement, for the young imperialist has entered upon a

path where it will require a strong friend, and a lasting friendship between the two nations is secured, not by frothy sentimentality, but by reciprocal advantages in solid, material interests."

In regard to the Philippines it was first the expressed desire of British capitalists that the Americans should keep the islands, and then it became the expressed desire of all capitalists, merchants, and others having pecuniary interests in those parts, French German and Russian, that Spain should not again have control. These men of money all well knew that their interests were, under the government of the United States, safe from pillage, undue taxation, or other robbery. In common with all the world Englishmen were shocked over the Maine matter. They compared it with the Victoria disaster of 1893, and talked of Sigsbee's fine behavior as they talked of Tryon's with manifest pride of profession and of

race.

As for United States expansion, the matter of fact Englishman's view of the question is from the pedestal of experience. It is a plunge for a young republic, and the expansion itself will expand until its destiny is fulfilled. The continent hardly knows what to make of it, what the United States really intends to do. Spanish statesmen were tired of their distant dependencies long ago, and pride alone sustained the Spanish people under the burden of taxation to support the administration of the colonies. The United States navy must be strengthened until like the British it becomes a menace to mankind. More regular troops will be required such as can be called upon at a moment's notice to quell turbulent populations. Tolerance is a factor in colonial administration. It is doubtful if the islands will pay expenses. It will not be pleasant to have to ship coin there for public improvements, and the natives will not like excessive taxation. This, and much more, say the Englishmen.

England would prefer the colonial expansion of the United States to that of any other country except her own. Imperialism, or even empire and emperor she would not object to in place of the great republic. English statesmen were kind enough to say that it was a gain to civilization, the American possessions of the Philippines and influence in Asiatic affairs. "Since it is equally inadmissible," says the London Spectator,

"to grant independence or to transfer the Philippines to any other power, it is best that the United States should assume the heavy responsibility involved, which will serve to bring out the best qualities of the American nation. England does not desire the Philippines, and if she did she would not take them, because she wishes to prove that her sympathy for the United States is quite disinterested."

As it seemed natural for England to sympathize with the United States, perhaps we ought not to complain of Spanish America for wishing Spain success. And yet, were there such a thing as national gratitude, or even an appreciation which could lay aside race prejudice and distinguish the false from the true, we might call attention to the centuries of wrong and contempt heaped by Spain upon these countries, and ask comparison with the benefits conferred by the republicanism and institutions of the United States, which have lifted the two Americas out of reach of the clutches of a world-greedy Europe, whose navies even yet may some day come prowling around these same Spanish Americas for purposes of dismemberment. It is said that the Chilians had a plot to blow up the Oregon and Marietta upon their arrival at Santiago, as the Maine was blown up at Havana; this seeming to be a favorite method with the Spanish race, treacherously to destroy the vessel of a friendly power which they fear to fight; but the plot was discovered in time and prevented. Although Mexico remained quiet, her sympathies were with Spain, notwithstanding her late hatred of everything Spanish, and notwithstanding the debt she owes the United States for saving her from the tyranny of France and the imperialism of Maximilian of Austria. And Venezuela, so lately saved from the encroachments of Great Britain by the United States at the imminent risk of war, likewise sympathized with Spain, though she will be ready enough to deny the fact should she ever again need the good offices of the Washington govern

ment.

We may indulge a patriotism of race in England as we indulge a patriotism of country in America; for, standing together as we now do, the present attitude and understanding are equivalent to an alliance, an unexpressed compact based upon interest and not on written formulas, and having a potentiality equal to all the rest of the world. A high ethical

principle is thus promulgated by the Anglo-Saxon race which finds response in all that is best in Anglo-Saxons every where, in the interests of liberty and equity; drawing more closely together in bonds of sympathy two kindred nations representing the largest liberty and the highest civilization, bringing home to England and America the fact that they are one people, governed by the same fundamental principles of law, justice, truthfulness, and integrity, and differing in many respects from all other nations.

How long will it last? it has been asked. When will come the break in this friendship, dividing the English-speakers, and separating them by gulfs of discord wider and deeper than any hitherto encountered? Hereafter Great Britain and the United States may quarrel and fight, if they choose, but they will remain friends. The respect they have for each other, their institutions, traditions, and principles, never can be obliterated, and on this high esteem their friendship is founded. It is only when one or the other becomes unworthy of this high regard that the friendship will cease.

In concluding the history of this epoch, the evolution of the events of Ninety-eight, the war with Spain, the extension of domain and the Anglo-American understanding, we may truly say that the supreme moment has come, the Renaissance of the Pacific is upon us.

CHAPTER XII

THE PASSING OF SPAIN

GREAT were Babylon and Carthage and Egypt and Rome, but they have all passed away. Great was Spain; but alas! she is passing. China they say is doomed; so is Spain. Little consolation in that for either Spain or China. So young to die! is Spain; only two thousand years old, while China is four thousand. We are all doomed; inexorable is fate. Where will be the United States four thousand years hence, when the New Pacific is as old as is now the Mediterranean?

Nations must die, and Spain and China are sick unto death. Old age comes on apace, showing disorganization and decay, internal corruption and external infection, the air pestilential from their presence. Young nations take their place, the strong becoming stronger and the weak weaker, until the young become old and their death too is demanded. All the nations round the Pacific are young, all save poor old China, and her the powers propose to rejuvenate by processes of strangulation and limb-tearing, making her quickly to die that the more quickly she may be born again. Our war with Spain was but part of that irrepressible conflict ever in force between advancing youth and departing age.

I do not purpose in this chapter to recite the woes and wickedness of Spain, because, first, a volume would not contain them, and secondly we have all made our little slips in life, which we see no use in constantly raking up; we, even we of these American states, innocent and unsophisticated as we are, have to blush for some few little sins of our own, such as burning witches, hanging quakers, exterminating Indians, and giving Africans the ballot. These, however, are but the small follies of childhood, gone and forgotten, all but the one last named, which I fear will hang as a black cloud over the