“You speak of the present unfortunate Transvaal war. So far as this bears upon your question I have only this to say; my sympathies are with the English, because, disregarding the merits of the original controversy, about which none of us who read both sides dare be positive, the English are our own kindred; and because we could never forgive ourselves if we were to forget the noble, generous and fraternal part that England played in 1898, the consequences of which she is now suffering in the hostility to the Anglo-Saxon. I do not dismiss the original controversy because it is unimportant—for the question of right or wrong far outweighs all other considerations—but in the conflict of opinions and the appeals to passion the American, it seems to me, should dismiss all; and if he feels that he must take sides, he will find that the considerations of race, national interest and national gratitude, as well as the greater probability of just government, are all on the side of the British arms. “And now as to the point of your question: England can scarcely be held up to us as a ‘horrible example’ of what is likely to happen to a nation which allows itself to expand, because at the very worst the example isn’t sufficiently horrible. But more than that, our acquisitions have all come to us peacefully and gladly, except one fifth of the Filipinos, and our whole course has been singularly devoid of mistakes, and I can imagine that in the future this period, safely passed, will be regarded as one of the most brilliant and successful in our history.” [Illustration: THE END.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ APPENDIX. SYNOPSIS OF COMMERCIAL TREATIES. Key: A: “Most-Favored-Nation” Clause. B: Inviolability of Consular Archives. C: Inviolability of Consular Office and Dwelling. D: Exemption from Arrest. E: Exemption from Obligation to Appear as a Witness. F: Exemption from Taxation. G: Exemption from Military and Public Service. H: Procedure in Infraction of Treaties—Correspondence. I: Use of National Arms and Flag on Consular Office and Dwelling. J: Right to Take Depositions. K: Jurisdiction Over Disputes Between Masters, Officers, and Crew. L: Right to Reclaim Deserters. M: Jurisdiction Over Salvage and Wrecks. N: Right to Take Charge of Deceased Citizens’ Effects. O: Extradition of Criminals. P: Judicial Powers. NOTE.—For explanation of this table, see following pages.