The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-28
Our New Foreign Policy and Its Exponents
Abroad.


mains an open question, the appointments OF
Mr.. Buchanan to London, Mr.. Soule to Madrid.
and Mr.. Borland to Central America, afford a
tolerably safe index to the course which the
cabinet intends to pursue. In the we'll known
character of the men we can read the tenor Of
the measures they shall be entrusted to carry
out. Our conviction would certainly derive
additional weight from a knowledge OF the an
tecedents and opinions of the future minister to
the court of Napoleon Ill; but, even without
this supplementary light, we can, we think.
discern with tolerable distinctness the broad
outline of our future intercourse with foreign
powers. Unforeseen circumstances may require
deviations from the course foreshadowed by
present appearances. Events may occur which
may invest minor questions with new impor-
lance. or submerge the existing topics of dis
cussion in controversies of far greater moment
A single eruption of the popular volcano in
Europe might change the whole aspect of our
foreign relations But so long as matters re-
main as they are, we cannot reasonably affect
ignorance or doubt with respect to the settle
ment of the subjects of debate now before the
country.
OF these three only have engaged public at
tenton. First in Importance stands the acqui-
stion of Cuba. This weighty negotiation
will be confded to the joint manage
ment of Mr. Soule and Mr. Buchanan. Upon
the latter will devolve the task first, Of con-
vncing Great Britain that a due regard for our
own interests, and even our selfpreservation,
will not suffer us to allow any European power
to gain foothold on the island: and. secondly
of applying the test of figures and common
sense to the British attempts to crush the slave
trade. In a word it will be his duty to prove
to England that she cannot hope to add Cuba to
her empire. and that she is at this moment ex-
pending three or four millions year in fruitless
endeavors to check traffic which nothing but
the annexation Of the island to this Union can
ever thoroughly eradicate. 1t will further de-
volve upon him to place in the clearest light
before the all-powerful mercantile community
of Great Britain the direct advantages that
would accrue to them, in the shape Of increased
trade. an enlarged market. and a liquidation Of
the Spanish bonds, were Cuba to fall into our
hands. While these telling arguments are being
brought to bear Oh the fears, the hopes, and the
cupdity of the British people. Mr.. Soule viii
open his batteries on the same weak points in
the ministry of Spain. Armed with unanswera-
bic columns Of statistics, he will show how ruin
Gus the island will soon become: how injurious
the late colonial policy of Spain has proved
both to herself and her dependency: how pre-
rio hnr IF fha hos haa
dered by the combined influence of official cor
ruption and systematic oppression. Pointing
to the former possessions Of Spain. he will draw
an apt parallel between their history and that
Of Cuba, and viii leave it to the spaniards
themselves to say whether it be for their inter-
es. that Cuba should follow the example of the
Central American republics or OF Florida Much
he might say of the moral wrongs perpetrated
by the vicegerents Of Spanish authority, and of
the injury which accredited accounts Of the
Spanish slave trade must infict on the national
character in Europe. But with the men who are
now in power at Madrid the most effective wea-
pom will be an appeal to their pecuniary inter-
csts and whatever Mr.. Soule's private opinion
as Senator may have been, as an ambassador
he will not fail to lay proper stress on the finan
cal arguments it viii be his duty TO urge.
IfMessrs Buchanan and Soule discharge their
diplomatic functions conscicntiousiy in respect
of this matter-and we have every reason 20
believe, from our past experience Of them that
they wll-Cuba will either DC ours before many
years have rolled by, or we shall know that
Spain is among those nations whose ruin is fore
Swallowed in the insanity Of her rulers.
Next to Cuba, the Central american questions
possess paramount Importance. We have seen
enough Of the practical working oe the joint pro-
tectorate system to regard it with great suspi-
picion. if we do not discard il altogether. II
will rest with Mr. Buchanan to assure Great
Britain that OUT re-assertion Of the Monroe doc
trine was not a mere wordy threat. AMI
that however Mr. Fillmores cabinet suffered
themselves to he oyerrcached. the pre-
sent administration viii neither tolerate fresh
Entertainments Ct England in Central America.
nor uLscribc to system which, under guisa Of
protecting the rights Of independent States,
would have the practical effect Of building mp
new British empire at our doors So much mis-
apprehension exists in England on the subject
Of our views and intentions that VIC consider
The clear exposition Of our future policy in re
gard to Genital America among The most i'm
Yortant duties delegated to Mr. buchanan.
Meanwhile, Iir. Borlaud will cooperate with
his colleague by explaining our designs to tue
Central american governments and endeaYor-
ing to remove the prejudice which British ma
lice has contriyed to engcndcr against rs III
that quarter. II Is OF immense Importance Chat
these petty States should know that while we
view their independence with satisfaction, we
cannot permit them TO form alliances or submit
to protectorates which would have tie itimate
effect ofplacing Great Britain in tie position