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TI-IE-’--FATAHERLAND '7
> -ARE WE 'ENGLAND’S SECRET ALLY?
Prof. Roland G. Usher Declares the U. S. is in a Coalition to Help England, France and Russia
in Return for Concessions--Alliance Aimed to Crush Germany
By Frederick F. Schrader
18 there a secret alliance between the United States and England?
The question may startle those who have not given the subject
of our present relation with the world powers and our statecraft,
within the past twenty years, more than perfunctory considera-
tion. It is undeniable that with the Spanish War the American
Government turned into new channels of diplomacy and established
new relations with England. Many things have occurred since then
which the average American cannot easily explain to himself.
During the Boer VVar we were, ofhcially, on the side of Great
Britain. No European monarchy contributed ‘so freely in official
sentiment and substantial material to the defeat of the Boers as we.
English officers appeared everywhere in this country to establish
camps for the inspection of mules and horses. There were such
camps at Kansas City and New Orleans. VVe supplied arms and
ammunitions to the English. Every port contained English trans-
ports and vessels loaded with supplies for the British army in South
Africa, The same outcry of the American element, which is against
such shipments, went up then as now. General Pearson, acting for
the Boers in this country, declared that if the United States would
stop the shipment of mules and guns to the English, the Boer re-
publics were sure of victory. Mass meetings were held and pro-
tests launched against the unholy trahic in the means to destroy two
flourishing republics; but no attention was paid to these things,
while the protestants in Congress, such as Senator Hale, were told
to hush up. The same old argument was used: “The Boers have
the same right as the English to buy what they want in our markets.
VVe are strictly neutral."
But were we strictly neutral? Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, then the
English Colonial Secretary, let the cat out of the bag in a speech
in the House of Commons. He spoke of “an agreement, an
understanding, a compact, if you please,” between his government
and the United States. The subservient American press ‘that was
in a position to inquire seriously into this “3gY99“f9“tv ihlf lmde"
standing, if you please,” sealed up all sources of information, and
only a, few independent papers, notably the Washington Post,
commented freely on the admission of Joe Chamberlainand clearly
judged the policy of the administration in the light of this important
slip of Chamberlain's tongue. Editorial after editorial was written
by the late Richard VVeiglitman on the importance of an explana-
tion. But the State Department observed discreet silence.
That this is no idle speculation; that others are convinced that the
pitiable surrender of American interests to English dictation in all
questions affecting our permanent prosperity, our rights as. a neutral
nation to transact business with non-combatant communities and to
foster our trade in non-contraband goods in P6006 Under “lies e5“fb'
lished by [mg practice and written guarantees, that the dual policy
of the administration in dealing with Mexico on one hand and
with Germany and Austria-Hungafl’ 0“ the 0the"v fmd the “"b‘m”y
enforcements of i-ules against German wireless stations and German
ships, which are ignored toward English “-“M95 ‘md Vcsselsv 90"‘
stitute a policy that rests upon a secret “agreement, or understand-
ing, a compact." between VVashington and ‘London, is publicly
confirmed by Roland G. Usher, Professor of History at Washiiigm"
University, whose, works, “The Rise of the American People and
“Pan-Germanism,” are generally accepted as books of authoritative
origin.
Mr. Usher declares outright that there is a secret understanding
between the Allies and the United States, and. in “Pan-Germanism"
he calls attention to specific instances in which the policy of the
United states has been distinctly influenced and directed by this
alliance against Germany:
First that in 1897 there was a secret understanding between
this country, England. France, and Russia, that in case of war
brought on by Germany the United States would do. its best
to assist its three allies. Second, page 151; ‘hat "W31" "ems
lead to the probability that the Spanish-American war was
created in order to permit the United States to take posses-
sion of Spain's colonial possessions.” Third, that England
possesses three immensely powerful allies-France, Russia,
and the United States. These he constantly speaks of as the
“Coalition.” Fourth, that the United States was not permitted
by England and France to build the Panama Canal until they
were persuaded of the dangers of Pan-Germanism.
That these are not the idle statements of a sensational pamphleteer
is vouched for by the character of the author and the high stand-
ing he enjoys as an American historian. “Pan-Germanism" was
published in 1913, and these statements have never been disputed.
If we view the policy of this administration in the light of Mr.
Usher's assertions, it becomes clear why we are not neutral and why
the State Department is forced to employ every available subterfuge
to calm the insistent demands of the English organs and public men,
as well as the clamor of Prof. Chas. VV. Eliot, Theodore Roosevelt,
and others, for active intercession of the United States in the Euro-
pean war on the side of the Allies.
VVe are pledged to assist the Allies, but for the present the gov-
ernment is in the hands of a conservative President, and our aid is
extended only in the shape of‘guns, cartridges, shells, dum-dum
bullets, powder, horses and mules, together with all the accessories
and trappings belonging thereto.
Without knowing it, those of us who are in active sympathy with
the German and Austro-Hungarian cause may have good reason
to thank Providence that Theodore Roosevelt is not now the tenant
of the White House in XVashington. The rough rider’s remarkable
change of attitude toward Germany, an attitude popularly supposed
to be one of sincere appreciation of German culture and friendship
for the German Emperor, to one of pronounced antagonism, marked
by clamoroiis appeals to the passion of the American people over the
violation of Belgian neutrality, is clearly explained by the light of
these revelations, for, of course, as ex-President he must know of
the coalition against Germany, and he must have admitted Prof.
Eliot and ex-Ambassador Bacon into his confidence. Prof. Usher
was formerly assistant professor of history at Harvard, and there
we have the connection one with the other.
This, too, may explain the passage in Bryan's letter. to Count -
Bernstorff of April 22: “That the relations of the two Govern-
ments with one another cannot wisely be made a subject of discus-
sion with a third Government, which cannot be fully informed as
to the facts, and which cannot be fully cognizant of the reasons for
the course pursued." '
Yet how long will it be until this country is asked to send its sons
to shed their blood on the battlefields of France and Belgium for the
coalition? VVho will say what day and what hour will see us send-
ing our ships to the North Sea or the English Channel, to do what
the.English navy has refused to do? To expose our ships to sub-
marine attacks in order to enable England still to rule the waves
and Russia to become the dominating power of Europe?
It was just this kind of secret "agreement, this understanding,
‘it you please,” between Sir Edward Grey and Delcasse' which pre-
cipitated the English and the French people into a war which neither
would have risked from free choice.
Are the American people being betrayed? Are they to be de-
livered hand and foot, boots and saddle, into the hands of England
and Russia? Is VVilson standing in the way of carrying out the
policy inherited from John Hay? Is he seeking to placate John
Bull by sending him munitions of war and keeping good the credit
of the Allies with J. P. Morgan? Or are we on the eve of entering
the war in response to the clamor of Prof. Eliot, Col. Roosevelt
Mr. Bacon, the rest?
Will the American people demand the truth, or will they submit
supinely like a subject-pcopleito rulers who form alliances without
their consent? s
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