Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-21
Design. of European Power. on Mexico.

Designs OF European Powers on Mexico
From the LcndoH Post, gsTemnsnt ergHny October Is
We believe we may state that subject to tie
terms Of the convention between England, France
and Spain, which Is likely to be concluded in the
course of few days, the expedition which is about
to be despatched to Mexico will consist Of three
equadrons respectively furnished by the contracts
ing parties. It is understood that for toe purpose
of attending immediate and efficient protection to
the lives and properties Of foreigners resident in
Mexico, her Catholic Msjesiy and the Emperor of
the French have determined also. to despatch e
military force, consisting Of six thousand men, Of
which five thousand viii be contributed by Ssain
and one thousand by France.
No one can doubt that the course which her Mai
esty's Government is thus about to pursue will be
in strict conformity with the principles of public
Law. 1t is well known as matter of history, that
leading ground Of the war between the United
States and Mexico, In 1871, the non payment Of
debts due by Mexico to American citizsns, aud that
after a comparatively inglorioUs struggle, she was
compelled to eede the magnificent province Of Cali
fornlS and other valuable territory, to the United
States.
1t may therefore be concluded that the British
Government WILL in the first instance, demand re-
dress and if this be refused grant reprisEls against
the ships. vessels, and goods" of the republic of
Mexico. The right of granting rspIisais IS usually
exercised az a preliminary to wRr. 10 the year
1850, British squadron was dispatched to Greece,
for the purpose Of obtaining satisfaction of the
claims of British subject, and no war ensued.
But when redress is refused not snly may the
& ships vessels and goods" Of the refusing State
be condemned, but towns and strong places may
be attacked, seized and occupied until full and
complete satisfaction has been afforded The bonn
bardment Of Vera Cruz by the French, and the de-
structiOn Of Greytown BY the Americans, are com
parstively recent examples of the short Interval
which usually takes place between peaceful repri-
sails and actual warfare. If England, for instance
should seize Vera Cruz. hold that port as a pledge
and blockade the coast, Mexico would have no
right to complain of any infraction Of public law.
By her own internal discords and long continued
course Of misconduct towards foreigners, she has
placed herself out of the pale Of civilized nations
and that she should nov be compelled to do Justice
by affOrdiDg satisfaction for all wrongs committed
is duty from which England, France, and SPAN
cannot retire.
OF our course it would be idle to speculate upon
the results which may be expected to follow from
the appearance Of the allied sQuadrons upon the
Mexican coast. BlockRdes, reprisals and fOrcible
occupation Of territory are very different things
from that policy of direct Intervention which the
bondhOlders would inclined to suggest 70 Earl
Russell. In these cases the clear and WE'LL estab-
lished rules of public law must be scupulously 4
observed and if this be done, England I" in the |
words used By Lord PalmerstOn in lS4I, will \
always have the means Of obtaining JUS
tice for its subjects from any country upon the
face Of the earth" It is understood that the Fed
eral Government of the United States cordially ap
proves of the proposed expedition. Whether, IN
der different circumstances, similar appreciation
would be expressed is q question which the once
hi9h-heGded assertion of the Monroe doctrine must
leave in doubt Tbs North, at all everts can have
desire 70 see hexico annexed 70 the Confederate
States contingency which the interference, of
the European Powers will now render as improb>
able that acquisition Of Cuba either By purchase
Dr. violence, which since the year 1921 has been the
soAstlnt policy OF tse United States