Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-11-24
"THE AMERICAN POLICY

T "THE AMERICAN POLICY." ~.
We copy from the London Times of Octo.
Der 26th--received regularly by subscriber
in this city-,he following article on the recent
action Of the English Government relative to
our fillibustering expeditions on Cuba and
territory in Central America. The writer
exhibits considerable John ullism in the first
part of his article-advocates that Great Brit
ain shall say how far we shall 60, and no fur
ther---believes that his Government made a
false step in allowing Nicholas 10 consummate
his ambitious scheme "-.-and then says.
" Let us not play the like game with the Uni
ted States" implying that Britain has the will
as well as the power to dictate to Brother JON
nthan, and. drive him to acquicsence in her
terms. All this is simply laughable. In the
first place, our Government cannot nor never
will justify unlawful expeditions against Cuba,
but if Spain should give us cause for war, and
we deemed il best to seize Cuba, then should
England or France interfere, they would get
an unmerciful whipping. Just now they have
as much as they can attend to at home, and
will have for twenty years to come! With
Russia on one side, Hungary and Poland on
the other, Ireland in the midst, Canada on the
border and 100000 of Yankee soldiers in
the field, we think Johnny Bull would open his
eyes to consciousness of the fact that he had
made wrong calculation. And as for France,
it is more likely that Napoleon will pounce up.
on England than make war with nation with
whose resources and power he is so familiar
But as the writer proceeds he becomes
more sensible. He estimates the good which
would accrue TO England in commercial
view, were Cuba in our possession, and finally
concludes with the belief that it would be
good idea for Spain to sell the island to US, and
he thinks she will do SO, Z" if not falsely led to
believe that England and France will fight her
battles for her."
We subjoin the article as a good specimen
of English bombast 800 $50
American Policy.
To The Editor of the Times
SIR: Half-measures are Improbable and
dangerous. The British squadron on the North
American and West India station is about to
be reinforced in consequence of certain lam
guage said to be held forth by the United States
Government to our own concerning the island
of Cuba. A few words ON the subject may
not therefore be amiss.
Looking down the vista OF the future one
perceives two probable events which are likely
to affect the peace of Great Britain---the one,
and more immediate, the seizure of Cuba by
the United States; the other, their appropria-
ton of the Musquito and other territories in
Central America. The latter appears now of
slight moment, but as years roll on and the
Western world increases in importance, the
possession of the strip of land dividing North
ern and Southern America, and consequently
of the ship canal through the isthmus (which
will assuredly be made some day., will be of a
value, both in military and commercial point
Of view, that is little thought of while we are
absorbed with our European affairs
Philanthropy, love of peace, commercial in
terests, --every consideration points to an Amer
lean war as the greatest curse that could befall
Great Britain; yet many and deep thinking
people have considered it as a not unlikely
event. Look how the present war has been
brought about-.-a war that was not wished for
by either England or R ssia. Step by step
did Nicholas advance in his ambitious scheme.
secure in English indecision, until, to the re-
greet OF both nations, a sanguinary war ensued;
had Great Britain firmly taken her
stand, and said, " Thus far and no further shall
you Co." Russia would have stopped short.
Let us not play the like game with the United
States, but let us clearly and straightforwardly
proclaim how far we intend to 60 in preventing
the annexation of Cuba to the United States,
and stand by our determination.
In deciding the Cuba question, however, it
will be well not to overrate its importance, that
the two great Anglo-Saxon nations may not
como to loggerheads for consideration of Sec
ondary moment. The matter stands thus :---
The United States people are determined to
possess Cuba, if they can, right or wrong.
What great harm will arise from their having
it7 In their hands the island would increase
three times in commercial value, and would
thus indirectly benefit England; certainly far
more than it now does, in the state of moral
degradation in which Spain holds it.
If Spain thinks herself strong enough to hold
Cuba by force of arms, if required, let her do
so; otherwise the most sensible course for her
to pursue would be to sell it to the United
States; and this she probably will do if not
falsely led to believe that England and France
will fight her battles for her. =
Whhregard to our present allies, the French,
they are less interested in maintaining friendly
relations with the United States than ourselves;
we should therefore be cautious that proper
anxiety to uphold our French alliance does not
lead us into policy which would be detrimen-
tai in other respects. g D7f 3, 'aJ 597f
Your obedient servant, 4o
= ..srf No HALF MEAsunEs.