New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-15
THE SAN JUAN QUESTION.
From IA, London Ti~.. Sent %.

From The London Ti~es Sept %.
We are 30 accustomed to territorial Disputes with the
American people in which EDahshmen can hardly be
bioue ht to take interest, while their adversares
give play TO all the excitement peculiar to them that
hardly be surprised at the course which the 30
called San Juan dispute has taken. The American
papers, and perhaps the American Government, wan
Judge of the most advantageous to themselves
by the tone Of public opinion in England Ii Is TO be
feared that the people Of this country nmsrsed IN the
vortex Of European politics. will treat the San Juan
question they have ated many others and that the
Cabinet Of Washington Will find the apathy Of British
opinion excellent ally in dealing with British Min
ister Ii is with with 10 COW dissension between
kindred nations, or TO be wanting In that courtesy
which charscterizes modern politics. that we express
hope that this question the Government OF Great
Britain will be found true TO ITSELF and to those hardy
and trusting sdventureIs who under the supposed pro-
lection of the British flag, have spread themselves
over the globe. We totally unsuccessful in
cealIg from the world that the habtua practice Of the
English Government in yielding TO every demand Of
the American Government, and every usurpstion OF
American enterprise tends TO lover the esteem in which
the name OF Britain is held and the effect the de-
peDdences Of the English Crown il far mole important
than any notion which may be encouraged In the
minds Of Frepcbmen or Russians. Tue fact is that
the Government and people Of the United States by
concentrating their whole power and all the vehe-
mence Of their disposition on the politics of their
own continent, have been able TO win advantages
over the mother country which, however little they
may be felt at home, not without the very great
est effect on the subjects Of the British Crown in
North America. There may be something radically
wrong In the relation which the cOOnies of this country
bear TO the parent State. They may be suckers, aud
not feeders as alleged by than disciple of the
Manchester school. There may be no reason why we,
the inhabitants of Island on the northwestern shores
Of Europe should trouble ourselves with the concerns
Of few islets at the distance Of many thousand
miles; but as long a. We pretend TO the supremacy
over great empire-as long as Canada, and Oregon,
and British Columbia look up TO the protection OF our
fleets and aImies-as long send out governors
and panprAh and reQ,melta long
bound to support the national dignity on the chores OF
| the Pacific, much as if the French Emperor had
declared wal against u.s. and We were lighting for the
| leadership Ct Europe.
With respect to the right 10 the leland of San Juan
We ro here called upon to pronounce dogmsticaly
The evidence TO our thinking incne' strongly 10 favor
ofEDgand. There can be no doubt that the "channel
which was used in 1876 the period of the treaty. was
ore which placed the iflsnd under the dominion of
Great Britain. The claim Of the Americans arises
from the fact that since that time another channel has
been used by steamers and has become equally well
known with the former. But that the question ought
to be what the channel within the meaning OF the
treaty Of 1876 is plain enough. However, the dispute
is ike another disputeone TO be settled by negota
ton where scientific measurement aud legal lnterprea-
ton have failed II is the act OF Gen. Harvey, of the
United States army, which has caused the great
complication in this matter This officer, not con-
tent TO allow matters 10 remain IN the same state az
during the last thirteen years, or even to wait
while the question was referred home 10 the
two Governments thought proper to take military
tablshng the law of the United States, and command
irg the payment of the regular customs duties levied
at the ports OF the Republic. 1t appears tina: the
Americans in their usual manner had been talking OF
their undo ubted right to the island and their determin
alton to occupy it, and that Gov Douglas with the no
less characteristic moderation of English authorities,
had been holding back from making anything more
than verbal claim. At last, however, the intentions
of the Americans no longer in doubt They laid
in large supplies and collected materials for bading
barracks and constructing Notifications; they eneour
aged sQuaters to occupy the leland; and finally num-
Der Of American troops were landed, with large guam
THY of ammunition while reeUforcements were sent Tor
from Oregon, and wherever else restless spiHts lgh
be found wiling TO embark in the enterprise OF oustlng
the Br,isher from portion of his territory. The
moderation Of the British authorities evidently arose
from no fear Of the superior force Of their adversares
for the of the ships of war on the sauon would
have been quite sufficient to crush the lew troops
which Gen. Harvey had placed on the island. But the
temper Of the Government at home is so uncertain and
the tendency to underestimate these American disputes
is 30 strong, that man in office might well be AFRAID
% call upon the military or naval authorities 70 assist
| him against presumiDg enemy. Gov. Douglas, IN
the true style of colonial authority, endeavored TO
avoid q collision" He might have removed the
Americans from San Juan, and held that temporary
possessop" during the negotiations which the Atner
cars now boast bat he fear of the Colonial Secretary
for the time being before his eyes, and he thought
il better TO confte himself 10 well written protest.
which probably his opponents laughed at
The American officer who has committed this act
ncuced probably by the expectation that II would
make him grest Harrison jackson and Taylor we're
raised 10 the Presidency by their wsrke exploits.
The commander who rescued g Hungarian some years
since from an Austrian brg would probably have been
started for the same high Office, If he had only taken
the pIecsuton of firing into his enemy what question,
then that Harvey had been superior IN an encounter
With the Biuishers he would have been sure of some
gre at position in his pstiye State not In toe Coun-
els of the Federation Governor Douglas has proba
bly, deprived the bold commander Of his merted re-
ward by Lot sending against San Juan force 40 small
that cOujl have been readily repulaeG, and eit
the gallant American free TO give glowing rarralve
Of his brilliant exploit We have every reason 70 hope
tha, President BuchaIan--a man OF sense and lutg
ment-wl zee the necessity Of treating this subject
irla proper manner and leaving the Pacific boundary
between the two n.tiors the decision of diplomacy.
We carrot suppose tbs, the Americans however
elated e. their presumed victories the English on
American questions, viii thiLk Themselves powerful
enough 10 Withstand the arguments thst could be
brought sainst them if England peaceful enough
learn that the Republic disposed neither 10 recete
nor negotiate No kind Of bossting or heotorng is
hope likely to have any effect on the Governmen. of
this country. We have yielded more than we ought
on many American questions, simply becsuse the pab'
lie Option Of the country cannot be enlisted II these
uaiiy disputes while the destines of the world
sre being decided al our doors. But there has
probably never yet been instance OF spO.
In dispute between the two nations winch has
zen violently seized by of them on the sole
responsibility Of inferior officer. Such a. act
REQUIRES an explanation from the Government a; sch
ne,on and doubtless Mr.. Buchanan vii al once de-
csre that Gen. Hsirey acted without his SANCTION a1d
thar the position 81 matters has been way changed
by this srpea "a sin force. OF the Isand t-ei We
know nothing nor can believe that the possession
~ II : If much value 20 either psTty though II - Ger
tAjuy worth more 70 Us than be 70 the men,
cans But the seizure is obviously only the express
sion of a feeling which exists among the American
authorities AID settlers those pats. They bsheve
that sudscity and assumption Will prevail over asilce