The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-27

Lord John Rus.su 10 Mr.. Champion.

Important D1plomauc Notes
Lord John Russsu 10 Mr. Champion.
FosEIos OFTlcE. February 10, 1883
S.s. Lord MaImesbury received, just before leaving
Office the addressed 10 you BY MIR, Everett. aad le
il for the consideration OF his successor
The absence from London OF the ambassador OF France
has hitherto prevented that communication between the
two Cover mens which the circumstances oil The pro-
posal made Jointly required. AfA
| have now TO inform you OF ire view which her
Majesty government take Of MIR Eysres reply 10 our
II is doubtless perfectly within the competence OF the
American government 10 reject The proposal that was
to Cuba. Each government will then remain free
it before lake that which its OF duty
and regard Tor The interests Of ITS people may prescribe
State By this obvious remark, had not Mr. Everett
tered al large into arguments which the simple nature OF
the question before him had hardly seemed 10 require
The governments OF Great Britain and France, when
they made this proposal that OF the United States
fully OF the growth OF power and extension
of territory which have marked the progress OF the Uni
ted States since the period of their independence The
absorption annexation oil Louisiana IN 1908. oil FLORIDA
in 1919, of Texas in 1915. and of California in ls4s had
not escaped Them still less did they require 10 be
minded Of the OF the years war; or of the
|, occurs 10 her Msestys government. therefore 10
ask for what purpose are these arguments introduced
with SO much preparation, and urged with much
abiliiys
would appear tina, The purpose, not fully avowed but
"a
rine that the United States have interest in Cuba to
which Great Britain and Fraace cannot ptetend In
der 10 meet this prenson, it's necessary to sci forth the
character OF the TWO powers who made The offer in ques
ton, and the of that offer MI Everett declares
in The of his despatch, that "he United States
would not with indifference the island OF Cuba lal
the possession OF any other European government
than Spain," &c. s
The two powers most likely TO possess themselves Of
Cuba. and most formidable 10 the United States, are
Great Br,ain and France.
Great Britain is in pessessionby treaty of the island of
Trinidad which in the las, century colony OF SPAN
France was IN possession a. lhe comm o. ms
These powers by their naval resources are IN ac
the only powers who could be rivals with the United
States for the possession of Cuba Well, these two pow
ers are ready voluntarily to decare severaIly and col
ecvey that they will not obtain, maintain Tor them
selves. or for any Of themselves, any exclusive con-
troll the said island, (of Cuba nor assume nor cxer
else any dominion over the same ... ~.
Thus, il the object OF the United States were 10 bar
the acquisition OF Cuba by any European State, this con-
veniion would secure that object
But If it is intended the part OF the United States TO
MAINTAIN that Great Britain and France have no interest
in the maintenance of the present status quo in Cuba, and
that The United States have alone right voice in
that matter her Maess government at once refuses to
ADM, such claim. Her Msiesy's possessions in the
West Indies alone without insisting on the Importance
button of power, give her Majesty an Interest in this
question which she cannot foego.
The possessions Of France in the American seas give
similar interest 10 France which. no doubt, will be pu,
forward by her government Nor is this right al all in
validated BY the argument of Mr. Everett, tina, Cuba TO
the United States an island at the mouth OF the Thames
or the Seine would be to England or France.
The distance of Cuba from The nearest part OF the Uni
ted States. viz from the soothernmos part OF Florida.
is ITO miles,
Thames would be placed about ten miles north OF Ant
werp, 10 Belgium while island at the distance
from Jamaica would be placed AT Manzanlla, town in
Cuba
Thus there are grounds for sayng that the posses.
sion OF Cuba by Geai Britain or France would be men
acnx the United States. but that ITS possession BY the
United States would not be SO to Great Britain.
There is one argument OF the United States Secretary
Of State which appears TO her Maestys government no,
only uniousded bu. di-qos,inE
Lord MslmssbuIy and NJ de Turgot put forward, as
H sys RS 6ssI Sas On as
Cuba by lawless bands OF adventures from the United
States and with the avowsd design OF taking
Of the island" To this Mr.. Everett replies in
these terms The President is convinced that The con,
clusion OF such treaty instead OF putting stop to
these lawess ioceedings would give new and power.
full impulse 10 Them"
The government OF Great Britain acknowledges with
respect the conduct Of the President in dsavowng and
dscoursging the lawless attempts here referred TO- The
character oil those attempts indeed was such 10 excite
the reprobaon Of every civilized State. The spectacle
of bands OF collected together reckless disregard
OF treaties for the purpose OF making iron the ports of
the United States pira'cal attack the territory
OF power in amiiy with their Stale and when
there enGeavorng by armed invasion to excite the ODE
dent 10 revolt and the tranquil 10 disturbance,
sight shocking no doubt TO the JUS, and hones principles
dent, thata convention duly signed and legally ratified
engaging 10 respect the present state OF all
future time, would but these bands of pirates 10
violent breaches of the laws OF honesty and good
neghbor hood, IS melancholy avows Tor the chief OF
great State. Without dispuiing truth. her Maiesys
government may express hope that this OF things
will endure, and that The citizens of the United States
while they justly boast OF their Institutions will not be
sensible TO the value OF those eternal laws OF right and
wrong, OF peace and friendship and Of duty TO our
neghbor, which oughtto guide every Christian nation.
Nor can people enlightened fail 10 perceive the
utility OF those rules for the observance OF international
relations which for centuries have been know 10 Eu-
rope by the name OF the law OF nations. Among the
commentators on that law, some OF the most dstag
ed American citizens have earned enviable reputation
and IT ia difficult TO suppose that the United States would
set the example OF abosang its most sacred prov
Nor let il be said that such convention would have
prevented The inhabitants oil Cuba from asserting their
indcpend ence. With regard TO internal troubles, the
proposed convention was altogether silent But a pre-
tended declaration OF independence. with view OF
edately seeking refuge IRON revos The part OF The
blacks under the shelter OF the United States would be
Justly looked upon The in effect a formal an
nexation.
Finally. while fully admitting the right OF the United
States 10 reject the proposal that made by Lord
Malmeshury and M. de Turso, Great Britain must at
once resume her entire liberty and upon any occasion
that may call for H. be free 10 act either sngly con-
junction with other powers a. to her may seem fit.
J. RUSSELL.
Mr.. Crsmpton 10 he Earl Of Clarendon
tExusctl
WAtHseTos, April ls, 1883