The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-04

Further Particulars About Island Moreno aud
Its Owner-An Adventurous Italian in
Asia-He Becomes Aide-de.Canip of Mann
Sahib, Escapes from India, Goes TO China,
Meets Ward, Is Present at the Latter's
Death, Meets BurIngnme In Pekin and En-.
counters Perils by Sea and Lnnd-The story
Of the sword that Knows Only Victory.
WASHINGTON, August 8. 1858.
! sent you exclusively some days ago an account
OF negotiation now pending for the purchase OF an
island In the Malayan Archipelago, to be used as
naval station by the United States government. The
public mind has become accustomed recently to
the policy OF territorial acquisition by purchase
instead OF conquest that the announcement OF this
new project has not occasoned the same amount OF
interest and excitement that would have followed a
similar announcement about year ago. when the
news OF Stewards Alaskan purchase was flashed
over the wires about twelve months ago the country
was thrilled from one end to the other. The idea
new aud pleasing and people in all parts OF the
land shouted the praises OF Seward Stoeckl and
Johnson But the projects for the purchase OF st.
Thomas, SANTANA, 81. stephen and other places
leaked out soon after that the popular mind be-
came accustomed to the new doctrine OF peaceful
territorial acquisition, 30 much So indeed that be-
leve IL tomorrow It should be announced that the
little island OF Great Britain had been disposed OF by
the Lion the Eagle for an adequate pecuniary con-
sideration our people would receive the Information
with almost Indian taciurnity.
Too great loquaoi,y and too great ;scturnty by cts
are Characteristic OF the American people ANYTHING
that ~ novel carries them away with irresistible
force, but the moment the freshness OF novelty wears
off they run into the opposite extreme Of indifier
euce.
Hence II is that 80 little notice is taken Of this new
project looking 10 the purchase OF little halayan
Island and more important still, the contamination
OF valuable treaties with some twenty Malayan ra-
jahs possessing territories Astounding in the most
desirable productions and predisposed most favor
ably TO the American government. The Maays. and
indeed most OF the Asiaic nations, have suffered
much by the Western civilization introduced by
English Dutch French, Spanish and Portuguese that
they are most willing 10 seek the friendship and pro-
lection OF the American people They naturally argue
thus.-"we know what the friendship OF Europeans
IL. We understand what the value Of their cviliza.
ton is We know that la exchange for our hospi.
tally they give us injustice cruelty aud spoation.
We nave not yet tried the Americans. AL we hear
Of them Is good. Let us therefore, invite them.
They may be just ahd save US from the rapacty and
invasions OF the English and Dutch II we grant
them territorial acquisitions and the privileges OF
establishing naval stations and unrestricted trade
At all events are suffering the worst that can
befall us now and therefore by exchanging masters
we viii not be IN q worse condition."
=, This is the way these Malayan rulers speak, pnd
the question is is II not worth our while TO look
into the matter n merely az business speculation,
and see II there Is not something TO be gained by
accepting the friendly profiers 30 lavshly made 70
According to Moreno new island IL not only at
our disposal, but treaties can be made with twenty
rajahs by which government In few years
might gain marked ascendancy In the East without
resOrting TO the dshonorabe policy of coercion or
conquest by which England and other European
countries have become 30 much enriched.
Moreno may may not be q humpug. think he
Is not have seen him and spoken TO him, believe
ann 10 DC great traveller, great geoRrapner, y
great observer and man who IL truthful In his
statements and very much In earnest in tbc
mater OF this mysterious Malayan Island.
The reason why he does not disclose its
name is one that ought TO satisfy any one.
Ihe English and Dutch are the owners OF several
Islands IN the East should the exact position Of
the one In question be published either of those
governments would be apt 10 pounce upon II before
our government could take The necessary steps for
iis acquisition Such result would defeat the long
cherished object OF Signor Moreno who is under q
solemn promise not 10 do anything that would In