The special correspondents in America all describe the situation there
as still serious, the representative of the Times in particular affirming that " Jingoism is encamped in the White House." They all, however, report that the American public desires some form of " arbitration," a method of settlement to which the people are so accustomed in their domestic affairs that they think it applicable to any dispute whatever. We have stated our view of that
subject elsewhere, and it is, in brief, that a Permanent Court of Arbitration is out of the question, but that arbitration on a basis like that suggested by Mr. Westlake is still possible. The language of the Eastern Press is still moderate or con. ciliatory, especially since this country was menaced by Germany, but, unfortunately, we hear little on this side of Western opinion, and it is the West which throws the mass vote. The President, to meet the deficiency of gold in the Treasury, has invited subscriptions to a 4 per cent. gold loan of £20,000,000, but they do not come in fast. The European bankers are shy while any chance of war remains, and the American bankers want to get gold from Europe, not to deplete their own hoards.
Previous page
