Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-30

States impose on themselves, with the under
standing Of the other Powers, that we are to en-.
gage in no discussions, inconsistent with an en-.
tire neutrality
Although in different degrees, the three class
es Of subjects, above enumerated, are interest.
ing 10 the people of the United States. The
relations Of the New States TO each other are
very important TO us. They are our near neigh.
bors.-One Of them has an immense Landed
frontier on our territory, and together with the
two next in geographical succession, lies on
those waters, into which the great internal
communications Of the United States are dis
charged With the others, we have no direc,
geographical, but we have highly important
commercial connexions. AT present, there are
eight or nine independent States formed out oil
the late Spanish and Portuguese colonies; Sc
ven Of these, viz: Mexico, Guatemala, Colon
bia, the Provinces oil La Plata, Chile, Peru, and ,
Upper Peru have adopted Republican Govern
ments. Now, it is to US matter of very great
interest how these States shall stand toward
each other.-Shoud they fall into dissen,ions
and wars, those great advantages, which we
have reasonably promised ourselves from their
growth and prosperity, could not be realized.
The great drawbacks Oh the progress Of these
States and on the extension of advantageous
commercial relations with them, arising from
the war with Spain, would be perpetuated, by
the growth of feuds and conflicts with each
other. 1t would have been as we'll for US and
for themselves, that the mother country had
continued TO rule them, as that their energies
should be wasted IN civil wars The Commit
tee do not intendlto augur un(avorably for the
peace and harmony Of these STATES; but it is
obvious that the simultaneous rise Of so many
neighboring independent Republics, must be at
tended with its hazards. Rival claims to Por-
tons Of territory may form subject Of con.
tention among the New States, as they did, in
our own confederacy, after the war of the Re-
volution. A controversy of this kind has &C
tually arisen between Mexico and Guatemala,
which he Committee trust will be settled by
friendly compromise, for few events could be
more to be deprecated by US, than a war be-
tween two States, lying on and near the Gulf oil
Mexico. -Uniortunately, a controversy OF the
same kind has broken out into war, between
Brazil and the United Provinces Of La Plata,
for the disputed possession of the Banda ORR
entail The effect of this war on US has been
instantaneous. 1t has already become neCessa-
ry to ask for an additional appropriation for
the Naval service OF the year, OF nearly one
hundred thousand dollars, 10 protect the pro-
perry and lives Of our citizens, from the dan
gers to which, in the progress OF this war, they
will be exposed Now, it has been expressly
provided in the treaties which led to the for
nation of the Congress OF Panama, that the
ministers there assembled should exercise the
Office Of medators, when such differences shall
arise. Brazil and La Plata have both been IN
yied to the Congress; and had it been In ac-
tive operation, il certainly is within the reach
of political probability, that this unfortunate
controversy might, by friendly mediation, have
been prevented from ripening into the fatal is
sue of war TO the work OF mediation, in all
such cases, the United States would come, as
the most disinterested party; and as we our
selves have experienced the benefits OF the me-
diation of foreign friendly Power, it may
happen, that we may render the like good
office to our sister STATES. Could we but, in
| single instance, avert or terminate war, it
would itself form a sufficient motive for ac-
cepting the invitation We claim no right Of
interference we do NOT obtrude ourselves as
umpires. We are invited to a Congress, where
we are told these national differences, if any
arise, will be discussed; we are told that our
presence, counsel, and experience, are desired.
| M illdAlW VI tiiC iIioot Nou'ouS poihtiSoi
dence bids us stand aloof-NeXt 10 peace On
our own part, Their peace and prosperity are
our leading interest: And the policy Of main
tanning peace, through the instrumentality Of
friendly mediation, is entirely congenial with
the principles and feelings Of the People OF the
United States Of America; and sanctioned by
their practice.
The next general class of subjects to be dis.
cusscd at the Congress of Panama are The rela-
tons of the New States with Spain. This sub
ject, it is expressly stipulated is only to be APP
preached by our Ministers, under the reserya-
ton of strict neutrality. More than this, our
grea: efforts will be directed to pacAication.-
The policy Of the United States, in this respect,
is sufficiently uniolded in the letter Of the Sec
rotary Of State to MIR. Middleton, dated May
10, 1926 and the letter of the Secretary OF
STATE to Mr.. Salazar, dated December 90, 1925.
paciication between the belligerents is an OBJ
iect, which, it is our most decided interest TO
pursue No single political event perhaps
could be named, more desirable to the United
States, in reference to their industrious inte-
rests, than the termination Of the present con-
test We suffer every way by its continuance;
our commerce with Spain languishes, and 1t
is impossible that it should assume profitable
expansion with the New States.
Connected with the belligerent relations be-
tween Spain and the new States, is the fate OF
the Spanish Islands, particularly Cuba. II the
war continues, the invasion OF that island will