The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-22
The Monroe Doctrine and Central American
Affairs, In a Spanish Point Of View.

rom the Dlaro de Ia Marina Jan. IL.
The proposition Of General in the Senate at Wash
jrgton aud the echo which his words have had through
out the of the United States from North to South
promise new and curious episode in the intricate effects
brought by the efforts Of Great Britain the United
sete, to influence the destnes of Central Americanot
fiat yet hope to find solution to the intri
cate problem which of late become more and more
involved and which to admit of other ter
nstion than that the sword Neither country as
yet disposed to stake the whole result single throw
in question apparently of little immediate interest
whiic on the other hand neither appears disposed to
abandon the field and submit 10 the decisive influence of
The only result then that is likely to follow from this
Elementary kirmish is exhibition of the ieelng
existing between two nations bound together by great
camille ties but separated by the most profound hate
end by rivalry of interests and ambition too serious TO
admit Of any sincere and lasting composition That
pertinacty with which they maintain and dispute their
i y shows the depth Of their dissensons and while Il
characteristicay exhibits the obstinacy proper to their
common race ii shows how improbable any termination
to their present situation must now be considered
As 10 the origin Of such pretensons shall, at pre-
fent, say but little have already frequently de
nounced the signal injustice ON which they rest The
absence of all reasonable foundation for the British
Istions the coast Of Honduras and Nicaragua is
theme amply discussed in the columns Of the
and excellent work Of of editors
that subject has attracted and with good ason the
attention Of the intelligent judges But this
reasonable conduct the part of the British authorities
does not by means authorize the intrigues and am
bto, asnirations OF their rivals whose views we're so
clearly shown by Mr. Squcr during his brief diplomatic
mission al Nicaragua. When two bands Of robbers
highway quarrel with each other to who shall take the
is not increased by the fault OF the other while the legt
mate loses of his original title, though
without means OF eiiectuaIy asserting it, As far
the real owner and all dspassionate spectators,
concerned the result OF the contest IL matter OF the
utmost Indifference AL they dSis to speculate on
the result Hence il is that have advised the
go crnments Of Central America to adopt Of
absolute neutrality accompanied by system Of firm pro
test against encroachments which they cannot resist by
force Of and If perchance the pressure Of circum
should become such that they should be in the
sad alternative Of avorng for the time being either of
the competitors it is for them carefully weigh which
the two offers the least danger for the future On
the hand Is the action Of Engandan action remote
Ind subject to many vicissitudesexcited by of
Inlomatic supremacy and supported at best by few
svage hordes incapable OF presenting any resistance
slen their allies should fail them On the other hand
le the action Of the United States whose action il
lear at hand and based upon numberless restless advo
Bates of annexation caring naught for Law, precedent
Jlstom, or race and whose dominion once admitted,
ban never be shaken. IL is for those who are most
Interested in the issue to compare between the
two evils, and to decide, if indeed the choice
for moment be doubtful. But let abandon these
nsderatons and revert TO subject which Is, that
q old controversies still unsettled The history OF
tbe matter Ia public; and is ignorant how the
teaty Of Mr. Clayton, in which that novel statesman
thought that he had cut the Gordian knot OF the whole
hcuy, became converted into triumph of British
DC macy, and source OF new complications. We have
sought to explain the sagacious and far seeing policy
Mr. Webster and which more impetuous minds have
yh in vain to preciptate to decisive issue There
vas time when the noisy affair Of the Promeheus BY
ybh the repeated and authorized announcements Of the
Afclo American press induced to believe in the
tr pph OF the American system and the retrogeson Of
Great riten but experience finally taught that the
o osn than Of substance This new sally against the
pcy OF England emanating from so emnenta parsonage
General Cass confirms In the belief that the radical
oson between the two cabinets has not disappeared
renders impatience still greater 10 know the
o. he Minister ~ Foreign Affairs in the British cabinet
y ose formation short time since announced.