The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-04-14

English Opinion OF the Sewnrd Ccssf0n
Treaty The Policy In Canada md British
Columbia.

EUxttoH OuiuiOu Oh inc SeWWr0 CcSStOu
Treaty The Policy In Canada and British
Columbia.
From the London Times April 81
Tho present decade will be memorable in history for
OF the world The map Of Europe has already been
transformed. We have new Italy aud a now Ger
passed wo may have a new system Of stsies
between the shores OF tho Black Sea aud
s, ne Adrao Though o veil q Traditional 1
the eyes OF Western nations know that Russia is
steadily advancing towards our Ind frontier and may
vince the East of the Caspian Sea- In America tho
tiny Of Mexico is trembling in tho balance and while
civil has failed disturb tho frontier line Of tn,
United States tho British Provinces the Lakes and tho
Atlantic will henceforth be united under the common
name or "Canada.. Another removal OF ancient land
marks is now contemplated which directly affects our
Selves and IN times past might hare been resented as
menace OF future aggression II was announced In our
telegraphic columns yesterday that treaty had been
sent by President johnson to tho American senate
last Saturday, (which cedes to the United States.
for a consideration OF seven millions, the whole
OF Russian Anne lea and the adjacent islands" Tho
Senate had been convened for yesterday to cons der the
requires for its confirmation the consent OF twothrds OF
that body. This Is the first time far aware,
that sia has ever recded from territory once acquir-
cd and by this treaty. II should be ratified the single
exception the westward OF Empire In modern
times would DO converted into fresh proof Of the
rule Without sharing the excitement which 1t is said
have produced among British dipoma,ists at Wash
ingon cannot but recognize II as event OF con-
siderable Importance attesng does y,tsrious
sympathy which has long existed between Russia and
the United States and establishing, as will, repnbii
can inscad Of "Casack" P9Wer tie norts,osstern
frontier of f,e neg confederation.
Measured by the extent OF its surface tho dominion
thus ccdod might appear to DO worth far moro than 10
ulat-d for IL Tho mainland OF Russian America spreads
over than ten dogr o: latitude and more than
twenty degrees Of Longitude Iesdes the narrow strp o.
mat,a for moro than -four hundred miles along tho
western border OF B~tish North America We must
remember, however, that area Is very imperfect
value regions OF which great part lies within
tho Arctic Circle In the whole Of this vast and dreary
d!atrct there Is not spot OF which tho name Is
known to my but geographcrs and navigators and its
total population estimated in 1853 at r. 375 What
be its resources in ports ard fishing stations wc do
that II win add much, in this respect
States II Is probable-nor Ia there any
wisdom in Disgusting tho probabllity-that 1t has
been purchased with view Of asserting NE clainacf the
mem, Tho consolidation Of Canada and the maritime
provinces into confcderacy under the British crown
has nes pa, not quite oo
clans have always labored under tho dclusion
that zeal for tho extentcn Of monarchical or ars
tncratic Institutions In equal TO their zeal for
the extension OF republican democratic institutions
While they admire Russian autocracy, aud manage to
discover strange aintss between II and their form
of they fancy that French mperalsts and
Engsh consutonalists nrc In conspiracy with each
other to propagate dospoc principles in the Now World
In this light they regarded the French occupation OF
Mexico, and here the presumption icas at least
rjcasab,e but no such reason can be given for re-
pari,pu in tho same light tho union or the Canadian
provinces Instead OF rendering them dependent
on the Mother Country, It will have tho very contrary
OBJECT and Canada will be- 10 all ntents and pur
poses a sclf governing community with strong re-
sembance tho neghboring states Of the Union How
ever the recent action OF Congress proves that
irritation has been felt on the subject in the United
States and Il Is not impossible that the purchase OF Rus
sian America Is intended as sort OF countcr.demon-
strao agninst supposed aggressive tendencies.
Whether this DO SO or not our policy Is clear. Since
We have no right whatever 70 protest against an act
entirely within tho discretion Of the Russian and Unitd
lot ourselves In false
position by vain II IL said that British
Columbia il almost cut or from tho Pacific By the
occupation of what ought 10 DO portion OF its scaboari.
The sufficient answer IS that II was enecaay cut OF be-
FORE for America has only bought what belonged 10 Rus
STA and no Englishmap over dreamt that Russia would
part with IL to We arc materially no worse OF than
before, while our moral right to cur own posses
sions absolutely untouched. Tho case 10 very
d nerent in all essential points from that of Iuxem
burg which Is claimed German soil, and contains
German fortress. Wc have no locus ssasds 10 Russian
America, and BY objcctng TO its transfer should bo
committing ourselves TO Monroe doctrine OF
as for the secret confederation which conjecture
suggests 10 have been given for II, we have no
business 10 what cannot be known fact, and
Is not required TO explain facts Russia may well 10
willing to cement her friendship with America by
cep ng round 10 content herself with large share
oftwo continents, without -rfn0 the st p'con ~ destr
ing 70 ,oia a p,scerfat oily in a coming Eur1psan
,u1r The aspiration OF the Unted States to absorb
the whole OF North America is no secret; bat that
design ~ not really furthered by this purchase.
We retain holt ypcn Carndd more to please The Ccnn
dians thai, oDscirs and though certainly shall not
initiate the example OF Russia bv selling 10 tho Amer-
cans tcs shall Be happy 70 max ind ndent as on as
IL pe1ss, aud icsue 10 choose Us future dssiny for
itse Even tenure Of British Columbia, which has
lately voted for admission to the Confederation Is
not preudlced by the cession OF these wastes
10 the northwari Its connection with California was
already much closer than with any Of colonies and
Large proportion OF its Inhabitants already Ame
can. II these influences destined to overcome the
spirit OF loyalty and attract IL into the Union, the SUBJ
stituon Of the American for the Russian flag tho
Of the North Pacific will but hasten their opera
ton by year or two Lot us, then. without shutting
eyes TO the possible consequences Of this unexpected
transaction forbear TO fasten upon II hostile con-
srucion TO insist upon rights and interests which
are incapable Of being maintained.