The New York herald., 1873-12-20
British Interference In Central Amer.
ican Affairs.


The British to-day, as ever before, lose no
opportunity to appropriate territory or to exer-
else power in all parts of the world. Unsuitable
pride in their own might naturally leads to
this; but they are impelled by another motive
also. They are intent on extending their
they look far into the future for results when
often there does not appear to be much ad-
vantage Immediately. In this respect our own
government pursues o different policy. Our
short-sighted public men act merely for the
present, and, leaving the future to take care Of
itself, frequently sacrifice both national inter-
ests and principle for temporary expediency.
Thus we have in Central American affairs and
with regard to Cuba invariably surrendered
commercial and political interests through
short-sighted, weak and temporizing policy.
Apropos to these remarks we have Just re-
ceived detailed information of the action of
British war vessel, the Niobe, in supporting
indirectly Don Henry Palacios, who proceeded
with an organized expedition to overturn the
governments of Guatemala San Salvador and
Honduras and in bombarding Omoa, port
of Honduras, because the authorities either
would not or could not pay the sum of hun
dred thousand dollars as indemnity for alleged
damages to British subjects. The expedition
of Palacios, which was carried or aided
by the. steamer General Sherman,
vessel of which we have heard great
deal lately as being o flibuster and
sailing under different flags, was under the
eye of the commander of the Niobe. 1t ap-
pears, indeed, from our correspondence that
this commander was not contented to remain
passive merely, but that he actually employed
Palaclos as his agent in certain matters, and
proposed to the agent Of the government at
Omoa to surrender to Palacios for certain
sum of money. Failing in this attempt he
made reclamations for indemnity TO British
subjects, about which no question had been
indemnity to be paid. Not getting the money
and, perhaps, not expecting it would or could
be raised he bombarded Omoa, while Palacios
disembarked at the time and attempted to
take the fort This appears to show the COM
plicity of the Niobe with the flibustering ex-
petition of Palacios. The recamatons tor a
sum Of indemnity money, real or pretended,
were not allowed to be disposed Of by di-
pomacy. The commander of the Niobe took
the matter in his own hands and used his
guns. The commander Of the Niobe refused
even an interview which the general in COM
mand at Omoa had requested. This is the
way the English are in the habit Of treating
weak foreign States when they have griev-
ance, or wish to make one, and when they de-
sire TO exercise controlling influence
Many of our readers will remember the diff
ficulty we had with Great Britain some years
ago about the Mosquito Territory and Central
American affairs generally-a difficulty which
ended in the humiliating Clayton-Bulwer
treaty The breechless Mosquito King was
claimed as the ally of England and pro-
tectorate was extended to him. This solemn
farce was the source Of the complications re-
ferred to. The trade Of Central America and
controlling influence over one of the most
| important transit routes TO the Pacific Ocean
| Yere the real objects E1gland Lad in view.