The Evening critic., 1882-02-04
THE PEACE CONGRESS-.
MIR. Blaine's letter TO President
rrf

AEihhEs
Ex-Secretary Blaine has addressed let
ter to President Arthur, appealing to him
not to withdraw the invitations extended
to the Independent governments of the
western hemisphere asking them to send
delegates to peace congress to be held at
Washington next November. He says that
the project was cordially approved by Pres
ident Garfield, but the assassination pre-
vented him from issuing the invitations.
President Arthur received the suggestion
"with the most appreciative consideration
and, after carefully examining the form of
the invitation, directed it to be sent. Mr..
Blaine was greatly surprised to read the
following passage in tho letter of Mr.. FIRE.
linghuysen TO Commissioner Trescot, re-
Gently made public: aicir
The United states Is at peace with all the
nations Of the earth, and the President wishes
hereafter to determine whether Il will oonduco
TO that general peace, which he Will cherish
and promote, for this Government to enter
into negotiations and consultation for the pro-
motion of peace with selected friendly nation
allties without extending like confidence to
other peoples with whom the United States is
equally friendly terms If such partial
confidence would create Jealousy and ill-will,
peace, the object sought by such consultation,
would not be promoted. The principles con.
hemisphere with other nationalltles may, on
Investigation, be found to be so well established
that little would be gained at this time by re-
opening subject which is not novel.
Commenting on this passage Mr.. Blaine
says:
iii correctly apprchend the meaning Of
these words IL is that we might offend some
European powers il we should hold in tho
United States congress Of the selected nation
alities OF America. This is certainly new
position for the United States TO assume, and
one which earnestly beg you Will not permit
this Government TO occupy. The European
powers assemble in congress whenever an OBJ
ject seems to them of sufficient Importance to
Justify It, have never heard OF their consult
ing the Government OF the United states in re-
gard to the propriety of their so assembling,
nor have 1 ever known OF their inviting an
American representative to be present. Nor
would there, in my judgment, be any good
reason for their so doing.
Two Presidents of the United States in the
year 1881 adjudged 1t to be expedent that tho
American powers should meet I'm Congress for
the sole purpose of agreeing upon some basis
for arbitration of differences that may arise
between them and for the prevention as far as
| possible OF war in the future. If that move
ment is now to be arrested for fear that II may
| give offense in Europe, the voluntary humili-
alton OF this Government could not be more
complete, unless we should petition the Euro
| pean governments for the privilege of holding
the congress.
| 1 cannot conceive how the United States
could be placed in a less enviable position than
| would be secured by sending in November a
| cordial invitation to all the American govern
| ments TO meet in Washington for the sole pur-
| pose Of concerning measures of peace. and In
| January recalling the invitation for fear that
| 1t might create jealousy and ill-will' on the
| part of monarchical governments in Europe 1t
| would be difficult to devise n more effective
mode for making enemies of the American
| governments, and II would certainly not add
| to our prestige in the European world.
| Nor can see, Mr.. President, how European
governments should feel jealousy and ill-will"
| toward the United States, because OF an effort
| part 10 lasting bntwppn
the nations of America, unless, indeed 1t be
the interest of European powers that American
| nations should at intervals fall into war and
| bring reproach on republican government.
| But from that very circumstance l see an
additional and powerful motive for the Ameri-
| can governments to be at peace among them
selves.
Mr. Blaine goes on to say that while the
United States is at peace, Chill Peru and
Bolivia are at war, and that it was the in
tervention of the United States that
averted war between Chilli and the Argeu-
tine Republic and Guatemala is at this
moment asking the United States to inter.
pose its good offices with Mexico 10 prevent
war. Mr.. Blaine then makes this appeal to
the President;
If you have not formally and finally re-
called the invitations to the peace congress,
Mr.. President, beg You to consider we'll the
| effect OF so doing. The invitation was moi
| mine. 1t was yours. 1 performed only the
| part OF the secretary to advise and to draft
You SPOKE In the name OF the United states Il
each Of the Independent nations OF America
To revoke that invitation tor any cause would
be embarrassing; to revoke It for the ayowet
fear of jealousy and ill-will on the part o
European powers would appeal as little t
American pride as to American hospitality.
In conclusion Mr.. Blaine presents tn,
material and commercial consideration
that will result from the cultivation o
closer relations with the South American
nations. Last year they drew from u
$l20,000000 in cash in excess of the value
of products which we sent them. If tn,
balance in our favor in European tradt
should be overthrown, our commercial ex
changes with Spanish America would draii
us Of our reserve of gold coin at rate ex
ceeding $100,000,000 per annum, and nigh
precipitate a suspension of specie paymen Is
This result, remarks Mr.. Blaine, m light b.
worse than a little Jealousy and ill viii
| ohrnad -