New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-14

the mutual advantage of both. Our Minister
to Mexico, if he be the right man for
the place. can be of much more service to
us during the next four years than either of
our PlenipOtentiaries at the Courts Of Europe.
The Central American Mission is important
in a similar way, though in q less degree. We
ought also TO he notably well represented IN
South America, particularly in the vast Empire
of Brazil, which is continually maHifesting
desire for closer commercial ties with us, and
in the active, progressive and victorious ke-
public of Chill. which now leads all the cOun-
tries on the West Coast. Our influence In the
five nations which front upon the South
Pacific is not nearly as great rs 1t might be.
Lately, when Peru determined to seek inter-
ventiOn to obtain a peace with Chll, she
invited four European powers to an arbltra-
ton, but made no overture TO the United
States-a diplomatic slight which would hardly
have been put upon us if we had been prop
crly represented at Lima during the eventful
war period not yet fully closed.
Our growing commerce with China and
Japan requires skilful diplomatic as well as
consular oversight. The same thing is true
of several European countries where dlspo-
siton is shown to cut off important branches
of or export trade under the plea that in
some instances they include diseased meat or
fraudulent articles like OleOmargarlne butter.
Our Ministers should everywhere be Canable
Of looking sharply after our general interests.
We are business people, and our reDresen-
tatives abroad should be capable of doing
something more useful to earn their salaries
than bowling gracefully at a Court reception
i'm, offa
We take it for granted that the AdminiStra-
ton will insist on regarding the whole field Of
the Diplomatic service as free and open for new
appointments wherever such appointments
seem desirable, and will not consent to be
embarrassed by the claims Of men to be con-
sidercd as q permanent legacy of former add
ministrations. OF course there are men in
place who might wisely be kept there, because
they can manifestly serve the country better
than any new appOirtecs would be likely to
do but no one can reasonably feel aggrieved
if he is not retained. The traditions
of the Government are perfectly clear on this
point. Ministers represent the views and poll
icy of the Administration which appoints them.
A new President and Secretary Of State have
right to have their views and policy concerning
our foreign relations carried out by men Of
their own choice. 1t is an unwIittcn law of
the State Department that all Ministers should
tender their designations TO new Admins
tratlOn.
Another thing suggests itself in cOnnec-
ton with this subject. In justice to our
selves we need something moro than
consular representative IN Canada. With
the sanction of Great britain, the
Canadians have set up for themselves
ful-nedged confcdcracy, witt a central gov
eminent, an executive head. a military force
and all the essentials of national autonomy,
except responsibility for their acts TO other
countries and The trcaty-makimg power. They
make laws prciudicial to lis and worry us
about their fisheries; hut when we want To talk
with them about our mutual concerns, they
refer lis to a Minister in LoAdon who knows
next TO nothing about their affairs. We could,
perhaps, justly insist on having direct diplo-
matte relations with the DOMINION to such
an extent as would cover all matters concern
ing which Canada is free 10 act INDEPENDENTLY,
such as postal, tariff and fishery aTraugcu,pts.