The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-27

competitors cause no variation in policy 'Brcair
them into fragments, they can be handled
easier, appears to be the rule OF foreign action
In pursuit of this, dscord has been y ,rposelv
fomented among foreign powers Civil wars
have resulted, and the contending parties weak
ened and reduced, have leaned for support upon
the very nation which stirred the flame of war.
In the history of our own continent we find
abundant evidence of this policy. Theirs is
scarcely q Spanish American State but bears
witness to il. There is no bolder moriSe exam
pie than ourselves. While England prof 5ssed to
take the lead In the elevation Of the hum IN race,
and especially denounced before the world every
nation that was stained with slavery, she, true 70
her principles, urged and assisted the sloyehod-
ing power to break up institutions which were
nearest in keeping with her own. This she car
ried TO point little short of real warfare, and
thus struck at us in manner which vas more
coW0rdly than honorable.
The object of recognizing Cuban beigerent
rights is pregnant with meaning. Doing So
England would at once enlist great sympathy
for herself on the part of the insurgents, and,
their independence achieved, they would natu-
rally turn for advice to the country which aided
them in the hour Of their greatest need. We
con well understand what that advice would
be- Certainly it would not be annexation to
the United States Cuba is too magnificent a
commercial prize for England to let slip
through her hands, if it can possibly be held
commercially when it cuts loose from Spain
The valuable and increasing trade which already
produces thirty-three million dollars of revenue
matte or even warlike effort The magnificent
geographical position of Cuba, unsurpassed by
another equal extent of territory on this conti-
nent, il also tempting bait for those who are
interested in pressing forward a commercial
supremacy won in the manner we have ndi-
Gated In our hands Cuba would double our
naval strength, neutralize the value of Nassau,
and serve us as an outlying fortifcation for the
protection not only of ourselves, but of all the
republics on this continent. The English people
understand this as well as we do, and ii is. per-
haps, craftsmanship on their part to prevent
our obtaining possession OF the Ever Faith
ful Isle
The sluggish movements of our Government
have given England an opportunity to make this
threatened diplomatic stroke of recognition of
belligerent rights, and if she be quick in her
movements she will completely outgeneral the
authorities at Washington. Our Washington
digntaries sacrifice all national considerations
to political ones and narrower ideas, based upon
o still narrower foreign policy threaten to keep
us in secondary and shameful condition for
many years.
But in the lead which England proposes to
take with reference to Cuba there is another
point involved, and that is our pending Alabama
and other claims. The recognition of the Cubans
would be direct confirmation of the principles
which were enunciated in the recognition of the
southern Confederacy.' This would be another
argument which England would then have
against making due reparation to the United
States
In the meantime the Spanish government ap-
pears determined that no cause shall be given to
lis for interfering in the Cuban trouble. Apollo
| ges are made as fast as can be wished for every
| petty difficulty that occurs. The passengers
| taken from the Lizzie Majors are surrendered
and the proper amends made. There is but one
| way for the United States to proceed in the pre-
sent condition of Cuban affairs and that is the
adoption of the bold policy and principles we
have heretofore laid down. Cuba should be
seized on the ground that it is a constant threat
| against us and the whole continent so long as
| island N n ion
| power If England be allowed to outgeneral us
here it will be infinitely to our shame and disad-
vantage. Even Mexico is on the eve of recog-
niZing the revolutionary government. 1t is alb
surd that we should follow in the track of Eng
| land, and much more debasing that n timid policy
should place Ills in the rear of Mexico.