Page:Anglo-American relations during the Spanish-American war (IA abz5883.0001.001.umich.edu).pdf/166



January and February of 1898 there was a constant agitation in the United States and in Great Britain in favour of the promotion of Anglo-American friendship. In March, the first distinct rumours of the need for a definite alliance began to appear. On March 14, the London Times correspondent at Madrid reported the possibility of an Anglo-Japanese-American entente. About the same time it was reported that a majority of the members of the House of Commons were in favour of an alliance. During the first week in April, the rumour of an actual Anglo-American alliance reached New York and spread rapidly over the country. The press of both countries accepted it seriously and, in the main, favourably. It was the type of report most opportune as the background for Mr. Chamberlain's great speech at Birmingham on May 13.