The Press. MONDAY. JUNE 11, 1900.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS.
Is any such tiling as really sincere and disinterested friendship between nations possible? It is a, question which students of history and observers of contemporary movements must often ask themselves; and the more directly the question is faced, the more sceptical they will probably become as to the reply. The problem is clouded by a supposed analogy between the relation of nations to each other and that of in dividuals; whereas, in fact, there is little

or no analogy. A nation, from an inter national point of view, is either an eb-

etiaction, or is composed of heterogeneous elements, which are amenable to widely different influences. A man is to his friend a creature of soul,' flesh and blood, and lie is drawn to him by simple, direct impulses, which we can understand and analyse. But affection betweeir nations, if such exists, ihap something vague and intangible about it. The individuals of the respective States may know nothing of each other; and if a quarrel should break out between the States, none of the in dividuals, except perhaps a few highly sensitive minds, would experience anything like the shock tliat would be caused by a breach between friends. There is un doubtedly pervading the people of every State a general average sentiment towards

other States; but this feeling seldom, if ever, rises to the intensity of Jove or batted. On its average level it is not of such strength as to be shocked or horri fied at the thought of war, and it is easily swept away by some powerful national

impulse.
