The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-01


The british government at length, have replied
70 the communication Of Mr.. Everett rejecting the
joint proposal made by England and France to
enter into trpartite treaty relative TO Cuba, Lord
John Russell signed the despatch. From this IL sp
pears that though the two governments have con-
suited together yet the reply only expresses the
views Of her Maiesty's government This may Of
may not be significant. But the fact is worth
noticing. The document 10 exclusively British. II
is week and disincenuous and it is full OF arrogant
assumption and insu Ting lecture reading John
presents himself as a schoomaster, giving Jonathan
lessons about international law, the golden rule and
Christianity.
II may be well to look at the occasion that ELECTED
SO curt an epistle from proper stand point. The
interest that the United states have in Cuba cannot
be unknown 10 Lord John Russell. This, by the
former, has never been concealed but on the con
trary has been openly proclaimed and constantly
acted on. Whenever events threatened in reference,
from atoad, with Cuba, this country has interposed
promptly, frankly and boldly. When, for instance,
the newly created South American States, al war
with Spain, and in the flush Of victory planned its
conquest, quarter ef century ago. this govern
mcnt announced 20 England, RUSSIA and France, its
policy as to Il. A large French feet in 1926 APP
peared in the West India seas, when Henry Clay
was Secretary of State. la instructions to our Mi
mister Of Paris he was directed to demand expana-
tons as TO this feet. In q despatch. dated October
II wss stated 10 the French government that the
United States could nce see, with Indifference, those
islands uhs and Porto Hsa) passing from spaa 10 any
chaY 70 desired their present political and
ssl conecn in the possession which spain has
Of them, In the spirit, and with the hope Of
guarding beforehand against any possible DIFF ,ultiea
that meet that may arise, yon viii aud, that
could TO the patton og those Islands
sry other European power than Spain, under any CIR.
eur stances whatever.
Now the soundness OF this policy, so far from being
weakened by the march OF events has been strength
ened. BY it Cuba already is virtually protected.
Now twenty-five years have worked wonders in ex-
pandiDg American interests; and If ideas and policy
have altered and expanded with them, il is in ODE
dieDce to law Of manifest destiny as to the republic
This policy, as TO Cuba, Is only To be more closely
protective This is now plainly revealed 1t is seen
IN 1862 that Cuba is as much destined 70 be O por-
ton Of shis Union it was seen in 1900 that such
was the destiny of New Orleans. and hence what
would have been wise and proper IN 1925 is not ey
act!y go in 1852 Bold denial Of European occupancy
OF Cuba has grown into bold advocacy of Cuban an
nexstion. 1t was while this Cuba problem was thus
working itself out that England and France came
forward and invited the United States to enter into
treaty with them to prevent Cuba from American
annexation To this the Secretary OF State Mr..
Everett, made his truly American reply His 60
vernment ofcourse, declined the insdious and en-
tangling proposal, and gave sound American reason
why it was declined. In doing this he opened up to
England and France a pregnant chapter Of American
International law. 1t is this rejection that has eli
cited from from Lord John Russell this bit OF tart,
motherly advice.
The first remark Lord John Russell makes is, that
the nature of the question hardly seemed require
Mr. Everett elaborate arguments; for both govern
ments, he thinks, were aware OF the growth OF the
United States Of its additions of territory, of the
seven yeurs war, and the American war. For what
purpose are they urged he asks? Frankly to unfold
the fate of this gem of the Antilles, and to explain
why it is destined to be portion Of this country to
declare to the world the truth, that in the very
distant future, Cuba will be no less necessary to the
American Union than the American Union will be
necessary to Cuba and that this country will take
all fair aud honorable means to acquire it, This is
the American way of procedure.
To be sure this sounds strange to European ears
The object OF diplomatic notes, with mOnarchists,
has been to conceal designs rather than declare them
With them Implicitly is absolutely necessary to en-
selrode penned diplomatic note to Poland previous
to its partition; or Lord John Russell one to Den
mark previous to the destruction Of its feet at Co
penhagen or to Turkey previous to the battle OF
Navarino to natives of the Punjab or Chusan be-
fore they annexed to Great Britain the commu-
Dication would have been full of well turned phra-
ses-in Lord Johns language-of "the value Of
those eternal laws Of right and wrong, Of peace and
ought to guide every Christian nation Il would
have enlarged OH the utility of those rules which
for centuries have been Known to Europe by the
name Of the law OF nations; and 1t would have
Of any nations setting the example OF abrogating
tn, most sacred provisions Of law. The practical
comment on all which would have been the moving
down OF the Chinese as mowers cut the grass: the
ION destruction of the fleets OF Denmark and Turkey;
and that supend0us national crime, the partition Of
Poland. America has no such schemes as these,
and needs no such false guised diplomacy. Now it
tional law that assumes the duty Of. admonition.
This arrogant lecturing will be despsed by the free
millions of America. They will distrnst the qualid.
cations OF the lecturer. They will not, as Chris
brand all this rank hypocrisy. 1t is from power
that has hestated not the attainment of political
ends, to trample on every law, human and divine;
and it has no more right to play the moral meotor to
young and rising America than Satan has to teach
love to the angelic host.
Lord John Russell; AYERS that both Great Britain
and France have an interest in thelfate of Cuba
well the United States and in consequence OF their
possessions in those seas But this point has been
often enlarged on. Enough is it to remark, that in
the judgment Of the people Of this country while the
interest OF France and Great Britain is, compare
lively, essential to their national life, the in
sepreseryatye, in national point of view, as to
immensely outweigh all other interests; that, in
word, it is to this nation what island at the mouth
OF the Thames would be to England; and no British
logic, backed by British Christianity, can move one
hairs breadth this opinion. For Lord John Russell
pretend that the United States has no deeper inter
est in Cuba than France or England has, is simply
1t is entirely nadmissble. Indeed,
Lord John knows better than in Inajesterial selfsu
cient phrase 20 write that there is grounds for
the opinion that !" the possession of Cuba by Great
Britain or France would be menacing to the United
States; and he deserves smart logging for his i'm
pudence as well as for his haughtiness France and
England are the two great maritime powers-po9ers,
Lord John Russell says, the most formidable to the
United states' the only two powersh-this issLord
John again" who could be rivals with the United
States for the possession Of CUBA Now, ia the
minds of every patriotic American Cuba il the key
Of the splendid Commerce " the Mississippi and The
idea that two such powers, singly or combined,
wonld be permitted to hold the castle Of Moro, or
this key is supremely ridiculous. If this would nc.
be nenacing, what could be This would be to 81.
low these two formidable powers to control the COM
merce OF our western world. If we held Cuba we
might affect few small and decaying colonies: If
they held Cuba il would ieopardize 10 small part of
our magnificent and growing trade. Was ever any,
thing mere cool aud impudent than Lord Johns po-
sitiOn
One argument Of Mr.. Everett appears 20 Lord
John Russell mot only unlounded, but disquieting:'
TO wit that trpaite treaty, far from REFRESHING
lawless attempts at Cuban invasion, would stimulate
them. "a Mechanically avowsl for the chief great
State" lie exclaims and then falls to preaching
about the golden rule and the laws Of nations. All