Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-08-13
BLAIR.
The Sage Of Silver Springs interviewed by
a Herald Correspondent.
He Expresses His Views as 10 the War Be-
tween france and Prussia.
The Present Situation The Alabama
cialms-DOmestic POIiilcs-The Chi
nese 0asstion-The Rebellion.

THE PRESENT POLITICAL SITUATION.
Mr.. Blair thought that though it
looked somewhat gloomy, still there
was no reason why the party at pres
ent in power should not be driven out
IL wisdom prompted the action of the
opposition. 81 have no doubt" said
he, I" that the Republican party design
to perpetuate their power through
military despotism over the South.
They know that by no other mean
can they retain power. 1t is their
only reliance, and they will attempt
il unless some diversion occurs which
willrender such acourse Unnecessary"
Correspondent = What diversion
could occur, Mr.. Blair, to change what
you consider their present pro-
gramme?
Mr.. Blair--Well, sir, there might
be a war. Our government might be
drawn into the present European war
by complications involving Cuba or
San Domingo. If Napoleon succeeds,
it is evident to my mind that old
Spain will become a mere appanage
of France. And then Napoleon would
feel bound to protect Cuba for Spain.
Our policy is to obtain Cuba in some
way, either by purchase, conquest or
naturally by force Of events. If Ma
poleon attempts to exercise sover-
eighty over the island it will be a
cause of war with our government,
and in that way we might become en-
gagged in a struggle with France.
There are other ways in which we
| might be drawn into a foreign war,
also.
Correspondent-Do you think it
would be worth our while to go to
war about Cuba?
Mr.. BIair--Certainly, sir. Cuba and
| San Domingo naturally belong to US.
They are essential to US in many re-
spects. But | would not go to war
| until every other method would prove
useless. | would exhaust the arts OF
negotiation and diplomacy first. We
could offer to purchase Cuba from
France, and perhaps France would
find herself in a position to sell the
island, Just as she sold Louisiana 70
US formerly. France might find il
more profitable and agreeable to adopt
that mode of settling the question
| rather than draw upon her the hOstil-
lLY Oh Tile OulOcu OldOtos
THE ISSUES OF THE WAR IN EUROPE,
COrrespondent-Why do you think
that Spain will become a mere append
| age of France?
Mr.. Blair-Well, it seems to me
| that must be the result. If the strug-
| gle is confined to France and Prussia.
| think France must win, and in thai
1903 ron hAuv EtrAnn
will be. He will have added to hi:
present domain vastly, and, having
crippled Prussia, will not only have
Frustrated his great rival, but will also
be in a position to settle the Spanish
throne question himself. He will b
able to dictate TO the Spaniards whom
they shall choose as their future ruler
He may do this in such a way as no
to wound the pride of the S~paniards
but he will manage it so as to givI
him a controlling influence in tRt
government. If necessary he would
even make a republic of Spain anC
place somebody in power under thu
name of President. The manner o
doing would matter little so long a
he accomplished his object.
COrrespondent-DO you think tn
war in Europe will be confined t.
France and Prussia?
Mr.. Blair-That would depend,
lsuppOse, on circumstances. If Russi;
and England saw Napoleon dismem
herring Prussia in such a way as t.
endanger the balance of power il
Europe, l suppose they would have t
intervene in their own behalf. The.
could not permit France to become to-
powerful, and thus allow themselve
to be endangered. Louis Napoleon
it seems to me, is now in the position
of his uncle. He is in danger of calling
into existence another cOaiitiOu-th,
same as that which occurred to OppOS
the ambitious designs of his uncle
The struggle may become one betWeel
Prussia, Russia and England on tn
one side, and France, Austria, Spail
and Italy on the other. The aim c
the First Napoleon was to establisI
the ascendancy of the Latin race il
Europe. Louis Napoleon had tn.
same end, and declared it in his Mex
lean expedition. His object was t
get a fOothOld here so as to establish
Latin aseendancy on this continent
His object now, no doubt, is the sam
with regard to Europe. He hopes t
rally the South of Europe against tn
North, by religion and race, and thu
make himselfthe prepOnderant POwe
in Europe The withdrawal of tn
French troops from Rome is a tempt
alton to Italy to join her forces wit
those of France.
Correspondent-In YoGP opinion
MI. Blair, what would be the resul
of such a struggles
Mr.. Rlair-It Is impossible to civ
an opinion on such a subject. Th
struggle would be gigantic; but th
result would depend upon too man
chances and circumstances 10 enabl
any one to oEeSeS iE.
GArFesPondent-DO you think Eng
land could afford to 90 to war wit
the Alabama claims unsettled?
Mr.. Blair-She would be obliged I
take part in the war;. She woul
keep out of it Of course as long as pos
sible through commercial considers
tiOns. But she would have to inter
fere finally to prevent a repetition
Napoleonic ascendency in Europe
You can see how insignificant Eng
land would becomeif Napoleon Wer
to succeed in his ambitious scheme:
The defeat of Prussia, would, / think
be the signal for England's intel
vention and another European coal
ton against France. These are m
views ON the subject, though l hav
not given very great attention to il
/ give these views as they come /
the current of thoughts, suggested b
your questions, sir, and without hay
ing prepared myself at all. AS {
England, ] think, as ! said before
that her intervention would be a M
cesslty, and she would be forced to g
in with or without the load of Ais
bama claims on her back.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Correspondent-What is your opir
ion as to the policy of our governmen
in regard to the Alabama claims?
Mr.. Blair-Well, l suppose we ar
keeping the Alabama claims in rt
serve. We are holding them bac
until the time when England get
into trouble.
CorrespOndent-Do you approve {
that plan, sir?
Mr.. Biair-NO, sir; l do not.
think we ought TO urge the settlement
of those claims at once. 1t would b
more dignifed and worthy of the ms
ton. We ought to insist upon tn
Justice of the claims, but consent [
submit to arbitration the question
damages. We might safely accep
the arbitration of some friendl,
mower I would negotiate to that OK
ultima ratio regIma-war.
Observation-Disclosures to tn
subject Of French Intervention in tn
affairs of Cuba, let me ask you, sir,
YOU think it likely that France wouI,
again NEEDLE in American affairs afte
her experience in Mexico?
Mr.. Blair-Yes, sir; l think itlikely
If the result of her struggle wit
Prussia shOuld strengthen her in sucl