New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-19
THE FRENCH ~ TILL P1CIfTC.

The main feature in the foreign policy OF
France during the present century Is an IN
Suitable and INSCRIPTIONS thirst of conquest.
The dazzling exploits of the First Napoleon
Illustrated the French brain, and though hls
rule was overthrow, his principles have con
tinued 10 inspire the subsequent Governments
All of them were eager to extend the frontier
Of the Empire, and though some attempts
"a the expedition 10 Mexico and the demand on
Prussia for the ccssion of some territory west
of the Rhine, were conspicuous as failures,
others were entirely successful. Algeria and
the possessions on the Senegal in Airca,
Cochin China and Cambodia IN ASIA New
Gulnea. New Caledonia and the Society
Islands Ia the Pacific, constitute together "A
colonial empire of respectable size, which
there is no doubt will be extended steadily,
and. # no other Power intevenes rapidly.
In some instances the substitution OF French
for native rule has undoubtedly been gain
for civilization. But history, even if it may
represent the annexation of barbarous lands to
Christian countries rs n certain mot the rghD
kind of progress. will not fail to brand as IN
famous the means 10y which the beneficial end
WAS sought 10 bc brought about. The French
Z RUE III the itlllNs 'lih N't'''''''J - VIZ '
ciety Islands, furnishes n heavy contingent to
the charges which every truth-loving historian
will present against the foreign policy OF
France. The Society Islands were among the
fist in which Christianity gained firm foot
ing. In 1891, the first missi0n-ship fitted ont
Inv the newly formed London Missionary So
ciety arrived at Tahiti. After nineteen years
of apparently fruitlcss labor, the infu-
ence of the missionaries began To be felt,
and afterward became 80 powerful as to
be almost paramount. A disagreement between
the Protestant and the Roman Catholic mis-
sonaries occasioned the interference of France
in favor of the latter, and the island of Tahiti
was taken possession of in the name of Lous
Philippe by strong French force in 1874 The
affair produced at the time an immense eX-
element in Europe, and for some time it was
thought that England would prevent the
establishment of the French rule. But this
hope was not realized. France maintained her
hold of the island, which, while n0minally
under the protection of France, has virtually
become a French colony. The native chiefs
have never ceased TO complain of French
rule, and the many charges which have been
brought against the French administration
have been as little refuted as the peridious
transactions in Mexico. The latest intelligence
from the Islands, which we published on Tues
day, brings n new specimen of French colonial
rule. The French Governor of Tahiti, Count
dc In Rociere, appears to be one of those adj
yenturers whom similarity of life and purpose
binds with strong ties to the interests of Louis
Napoleon. He appears to have Outdone Ba-
zaine. The islands are in complete confusion.
Business is suspended. The English residents
think Of leaving. The native chiefs have petit
toned for his removal. The last feat of this
model Governor was to arrest the King of
Huahine, an island not far from Tahiti, who
had been on n visit to Queen Pomare Of Ia
hiti, and compel him to sign treaty fatora-
BILE to France. The islanders it is true, did not
ratify this transaction, but on the return of
their King took him prisoner, and chose another
King. But will Louis Napoleon care much
about the origin of the treaty, if France aud his
dynasty can derive therefrom some advantage
Ii can hardly be expected that the man who
ndorscd the Jccker bonds will feel the least
scruple in sanctiOnIng the fraudulent treaty
with an insular king. There is ut present III
Australia and Polynesia no native government
strong enough to dispute the advance of
England and France, which will very soon
have divided among themselves the almost in
Vulnerable islands. But the recent example of
China inspires the hope that time approaches
when weak Governments and rotten States
can DO regenerated by other means than an
nexation, subjugation. and wholesale fraud.