LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SP ECTATOR."]
SIR,—What seems to me most important in the new develop- ments of the last few weeks is the rapid growth of friendly feeling towards England. Formerly, if one spoke of any future union, any pulling together in any kind of harness, be might count on impatience in his hearer or superior references to the Millennium. But broach the subject to four men now as you find them, and probably two or three will entertain it favourably. You are likely to get a fair and thoughtful hearing from all. Surely this is rapid progress, and very encouraging to one who has long felt that the recementing in some form of the English-speaking peoples will be for a century or two at least the dominating fact in the world's history.
When one thinks of it ! This evening's newspaper gives the total number of men in the United States liable to military duty as more than ten millions. We know the supreme strength of the British Navy and the endless resources of her merchant marine. United, however loosely, it certainly seems that they would have no sound excuse for enduring any serious wrong, or tolerating any of those flagrant wholesale crimes against humanity which have dis- graced civilisation and Christianity daring the present decade. Another thing I note, far more special and passing. This is the downright refusal of our people to entertain the idea of money indemnity in the case of the 'Maine.' It amounts to abhorrence. For the mere ironwork and machinery they might take it ; no one cares enough about the matter to mention that. For the two hundred and sixty-eight murdered seamen they want simply the execution of the murderers. This feeling goes a long way beyond what I saw or foresaw when I wrote the letter published in your issue of March 19th. Since the publication of the official report they consider the question of crime as finally settled. They will never consent to submit to arbitration anything which they regard as so certain and palpable. Nor do they share President McKinley's optimistic views of Spanish justice, after witnessing its ghastly work on women and children, whose spectral photo- graphs—haunting things !—are in the shop windows all up anfi down our streets. If there were no other issue involved, I think the countrymen of the dead sailors would steadfastly push their demand for justice quite over the verge of war.
But the larger issue of Cuba remains at the front ; and the movements of the Spanish fleets, with the advance of the season, may precipitate hostilities within a few days. Con- gress, as you know, practically has given the President a very little time for his experiments in diplomacy. They will act over him or through him ; and that action will recognise and uphold the independence of Cuba, with notice to quit promptly served on the Spanish forces. Adroit mancenvring or vigorous beseeching may obtain a respite. Possibly even yet all these matters may be tided over until autumn ; but it does not now seem at all likely. Whether it come in months or weeks or 'days, we are very near war,—a war which is, after all, of 'excellent augury for the welfare of the English-speaking nations and the general advance of the world.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Washington, D.C., March 31st. WM. H. BABCOCK.
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