The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-01
Secretary Stewards Trip to the West Indies
Explained.

From he Herald.
The mystery which has for long time sur
rounded the journey of Secretary Seward TO the
tropics has at length been removed. One of our
Washington correspondents, in aletter published
elsewhere, furnishes some very interesting facts,
which explain the object of that Journey more
fully than anything which has yet been given to
the public. We were at first informed that the
veteran Secretary had become wearled writing
volumes of essays to foreign diplomats, and had
taken this journey by way of relaxation, to in
vigorate both mind and body, and get himself
in the proper trim to prepare several more
volumes of his essays. This idea was circulated
until 1t became a little threadbare, when another
version was put in circulation, and we were iu-
tOrmed that he bad lett his post to get rid of
beng bored by members of Congress on the
Mexican question: or to gain time to carry out
his schemes with regard to Napoleon. He finally
returned, and the recognition OF the Republic of
Dominica was at once proclaimed, and every
body supposed that they had discovered the
secret of his mission. The establishing OF
friendly relations with that republic, and thus
making that Government our ally, was an i'm
portant step, and one that will be of inestimable
advantage to us IN case OF war with any of the
European Powers which have colonies in the
West India islands.
While this may have been in part the object
Of Secretary Stewards journey, it seems by our
Washington advices that it was only a portion,
ana Oy 1ar the most lnslgnllCdnJ pOrJlOn OF MS
mission. 1t came in, no doubt, incidentally
but it appears that the real object was to secure
q naval station among those islands where our
vessels of war can rendezvous, obtain their
supplies and prepare for any emergency in the
event of complications with foreign Powers.
The temper of the present Congress is such
that there is no probability of their making any
appropriations to repair or construct torti6ca-
tions along our Southern coast. Should the
enforcement of the timehonored Monroe doc
trine-which the people all demand shall be
adhered to, and the Administration as well as
Congress is instructed to maintain-lead us to a
war with the mOnarchlcal Governments which
are interfering with affairs Oh this continent
the whole sea.coast of the Southern States
would be open to them to operate upon.
Those Governments having convenient harbors
in the West Indies to obtain their supplies
would have decided advantage over us in a
naval conflict. They would make their base of
operations near our shores, while we would be
forced to the necessity of operating from a
Northern port. To provide against this emer-
gency, Secretary Seward pays visit to the
Island OF st. Thomas, and enters into nego-
tiation with the Danish authorities for that
harbor, which is said to be the finest in the
West Indies, and well suited for this purpose
We are informed that his mission was successful
and that its objects were accomplished. Taking
this to be the correct version, the public cannot
fail to commend the skill OF the Secretary of
State in thus throwing an anchor to the wind
ward to be ready TOR any storm that may arse.
b however much the people may condemn the
neglect OF Congress 10 provide for the protection
OF our Southern har0ors, they cannot tail to
regard this move OF the Administration as wise
one under the circumstances.
We would have greatly preferred that the
United States should take possession of the
Island of Cuba which by nature belongs to us,
bur st. Thomas will answer for the present. The
Spanish Government can now quiet its fears,
and rest in peace, as long as it behaves itself;
for having secured the harbor at st. Thomas, we
have no use for Cuba But that Government
must bear ia mind that it must keep itself on its
good behavior, as far as the affairs of this con-
interest to secure additional naval stations in
that quarter, and to take them without formal
negotiations, as in this case. The harbor OF st.
Thomas having been secured, we trust that Con
gress will make liberal appropriation to place
it in a condition to carry out the object for which
il was secured. Our only regrets are that it wa;
not in our possession during the late civil war
1t would have been of inestimable advantage tC
us during that period as a rendezvous for oul
blockading and cruising squadrons.