The Press.
London, England, 1856-06-21 00:00:00

as England has had quarrels in India, as
Russia has had quarrels in Tartary. We
know to n hat result such quarrels must
inevitably lead. We do not want to oppose
the territorial progress of the States, whether
it arises from compact with countries which
desire participation in the advantages of the
Union, or whether it arises from conquest in
fair warfare.

The enlightened opinion of this country is
not unfavorable to the expansion of the power
of the United States We have nothing to dread
from it. The Union will hold together no
longer than is consistent with the interests
of the various States of which it is composed.
The politics' strength of the Union will be
rather diminished than strengthened by ter-
ritorial extension. Even now the North
would be politically stronger if severed from
the South. But such considerations do not
concern us. We look to other quarters for the
development of British forces. While hold-
ing our own in America, we can afford to look
with positive satisfaction on the progress
made by the United States.
But such is not the sentiment of Lord
PALMERSTON. He retains the political ideas
of half a century ago. He does not under-
stand that a changed world requires a changed
policy. He regards every acquisition made by
the United States with a jealous eye, and is
intent on schemes by which England may
fetter their progress, and establish military
posts to threaten their possessions. On this
principle alone is the occupation of Ruatan
and Bonacca to be accounted for. We have
no business there. We have no interests to
protect, and the possessions themselves are
worthless. For the like reason is our protec-
torate of the Mosquito coast insisted on. It
is these pretensions which excite the alarm
and anger of the United States' Government.
It sees in them a protest against the exten-
sion and safety which they aim at, and
the result is continual antagonism to this
country, and a conflict of sentiment which, if
the cause were removed, would rapidly sub-
side.

Why has the Washington Cabinet so warmly
taken up the occupation of Ruatan by the
British Government? Because, in the words
of Mr. BUCHANAN, it is " the key of the Bay of
" Honduras, and the focus of the trade of
" the neighbouring countries " Because "such
" is its commanding geographical position, that
" Great Britain in possession of it could com-
" pletely arrest the trade of the United States
" on its passage to and from the Isthmus."
The Washington Cabinet is jealous of a Gib-
raltar at a point commanding the passage be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Not England alone, but all the States of
Europe, have good reasons for insisting that the
region of this pl►esage shall be neutral ground.
In the event of a ship canal being formed,
the freedom of Stith canal would be an object
of importance to the whole' world ; but our
interest in Central America is nearly con-
fined to that one point. It is not oar
interest to occupy stations which would com-
mand the coast or trade of Central America.
Towards America we desire

repression, but of develop.
tility, but of alliance ; a policy
maintenance of European
way adverse to the expan
prise and power of the MID
Until that policy is acted
that our relations with the

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