The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-10
The Central American NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and Policy OF the ADMINISTRATION.

tration has banded to Lord Napier a positive
declination to reopen negotiations, for the pre-.
sent on the Overtures enanating from the
British Cabinet respecting the Central Aneric IN
question.
La replying to the British Minister'S note on
this subject, General Cas- was disposed to go into
foil relation Of the grounds and difficulties
in this imbrogiio; but upon Cabinet consultation
the communication was reduced to simple and
terse recital of the points 1t would seem from
our information that it is not probable negotia-
tions with England on this subject will be re-
opened until she recedes from the unwarraotable
Central American States; and should Lord Pal
merston decline to do this during the present
summer, the whole subject, it is supposed, will
be submitted to Congress by the President and
this country will proceed to take such action in
the matter as may be required by oW increasing
travel there and the necessity of protection to
the transit interests of the whole world.
The whole course of the British government in
relation to Belize, Mosquito and the Bay Islands
has been founded in an erroneous policy. Stimu.
lated by the idea that il was necessary to obtain
a fcotbold in those regions and build up
among the descendants of the Spanish race
a barrier 10 our progress, the British Cabinet has
endeavored to create logical chain of reasoning
to warrant its intrusions upon Central American
territory. First came doubts whether it had not
perfect right to protect its subjects there; next
these doubts we're converted into admissions, and
these were finally adopted as precedenta BY this
process, simple right to cut mahogany at Belize
has been converted into perfect British colony;
q questionable intercourse with few debased
aborigipes in Mosquito has been changed into a
British protectorate, the claimed boundaries
Of which have expanded marvellously year after
year; and refusal on the part of Honduras TO
accept the conditional return Of the Bay Islands,
Of which she had been despoiled without a sha-
dow of right, and in fragrant violation of the
stipulatioDs Of the Clayton -Bulwer treaty, is as
sumed 10 be sufficient warrant for the erection OF
a new British colonial government.
The history OF diplomatic intercourse on these
questions is filed with well founded resistance TO
this policy Of Grea. Britain. All the republics of
Central America have repeatedly denied the ex-
istcnce Of any rights OF sovereignty by England
over the Belize settlement. Her claims
in Mosquito have been again and again
denied by Nicaragua The Interpretation
Of the stpulations OF the Clayton.Bulwer treaty
recognizing the right Of eminent domain in
the Mosquito, Tribe has been rejected by this
government aad by that Of Nicaragua, and the
latter has even rejected our good-natured assist
oncc 70 England TO obtain some recognition OF
her right in protcctoratc there. The Webster
Champion propositions we're Observation-Disclosures
by the Legislature of Nicaragua, nor has Nc
Wyse, the present British Charge in Central
America been more successful in his modified rcitc-
ration OF them lately. Honduras refuses 10 give a
virtual sanction to the dcspoiling OF her Territory
b. rc-Occcpti1g the restricted return Of Ruatln.
These aBteccdcnts couplicaie the position
Of the British Cabinet in this matter TO de-
gree far beyond what it, merits warrant
Not only has the political and industrial value
Of England's possessions in tropical America
diminished vastly in value since the initiation Of
he policy thc hos been pursuing for years in
Central America, but both the people aud the
public men Of that country have become COZ
WINGED that her interests in those regions. which
ere mainly confined TO the safe transit Of her
commerce arc ndwii be best prot 5cted by the ex-
tension OF our influence there. The merchants of
England have learned that their trade is increas-
ed, and its returns made more secure, under the
auspices Of the United States than IL is In any
other way. Texas and California, with their
collateral traffic, are pregnant evidences Of this
fact; while 20 far az transit alone is concerned,
no man supposes, even for an instant, that Eng
lands trade with her Canadian possessions could
be increased one whit, or rendered one whit more
safe by an extension of English rule over the
ports Of New York, Boston and Portland.
Under these circumstances dc determination
adopted by Mr.. buchanan moi 10 negotiate any more in
his Central Argeucaa issJroglio, until England re-
oodes from her uae policy tOcdrd these republics Is
oyninently pia .onG The rapid increase Of our
intercourse with the Pacific by the routes across
the American isthmus, demands Of our govern
ment the adoption Of high and firm policy In
regard to them, which shall not only SECURE their
safe transit, but their freedom from interruption
through intestine quarros. This can only BE-
attained through a eonciliatory and satisfactory
course toward the governments Of those republics.
The present step throws all the responsibility in
this question upon Lord Palmcrston Should he
refuse 10 adopt course that II oounselle5 BIZ
honesty, policy, and The true interest OF England,
giving up The shadows he has been 20 long pur-
suing Ia those regions, the only alternative our
government can adopt will be 10 lay before Con-
gress full exhibit of the whole subject, and then
proceed TO such an independent course Of action