It cannot be assumed that English pride and self-interest will consent to that.  The continuous agitation against Germany, under the tacit approval of the Government, which is kept up not only by the majority of the Press, but by a strong party in the country, the latest statements of English politicians, the military preparations in the North Sea, and the feverish acceleration of naval construction, are unmistakable indications that England intends to persist in her anti-German policy.  The uncompromising hostility of England and her efforts to hinder every expansion of Germany’s power were openly shown in the very recent Morocco question.  Those who think themselves capable of impressing on the world the stamp of their spirit, do not resign the headship without a struggle, when they think victory is in their grasp.

A pacific agreement with England is, after all, a will-o’-the-wisp which no serious German statesman would trouble to follow.  We must always keep the possibility of war with England before our eyes, and arrange our political and military plans accordingly.  We need not concern ourselves with any pacific protestations of English politicians, publicists, and Utopians, which, prompted by the exigencies of the moment, cannot alter the real basis of affairs.  When the Unionists, with their greater fixity of purpose, replace the Liberals at the helm, we must be prepared for a vigorous assertion of power by the island Empire.

On the other hand, America, which indisputably plays a decisive part in English policy, is a land of limitless possibilities.  While, on the one side, she insists on the Monroe doctrine, on the other she stretches out her own arms towards Asia and Africa, in order to find bases for her fleets.  The United States aim at the economic and, where possible, the political command of the American continent, and at the naval supremacy in the Pacific.  Their interests, both economic and political, notwithstanding all commercial and other treaties, clash emphatically with those of Japan and England.  No arbitration treaties could alter this.

No similar opposition to Germany, based on the nature of things, has at present arisen from the ambitions of the two nations; certainly not in the sphere of politics.  So far as can be seen, an understanding with Germany ought to further the interests of America.  It is unlikely that the Americans would welcome any considerable addition to the power of England.  But such would be the case if Great Britain succeeded in inflicting a political and military defeat on Germany.

For a time it seemed as if the Anglo-American negotiations about Arbitration Courts would definitely end in an alliance against Germany.  There has, at any rate, been a great and widespread agitation against us in the United States.  The Americans of German and Irish stock resolutely opposed it, and it is reasonable to assume that the anti-German movement in the United States was a passing phase, with no real foundation in the nature of things.  In the field of commerce there is, no doubt, keen competition between the two countries, especially in South America; there is, however, no reason to assume that this will lead to political complications.