New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-02

conducting works OF great magnitude, uc
signed to develop enormous wealth, anu
others were rapidly gaining influence among
the intelligent and commercial classes. When
Peru became involved in war with Chill
through the demands of n Gillian corporation
composed mainly of British capitalists, 1t was
the belief of many of these Americans that the
struggle WAS artfully contrived by BRUSH Ill
plomacy. on purpose to enable British capitalists
tn fasten upon the wealth of Peru, and the
actual result is that Il vast quantity OF guano'
estimated worth not less than T60,OOO,OOO is
now advertised for sale in London for British
creditors. Chill was supplied with English
vessels, English guns and English money, and
her triumph was distinctly a triumph OF English
influence and interest in South America.
Long before President Garfield was elected,
If had been the earnest desire of clear headed
and practical citizens that steps should be
taken to bring the war to an end without the
CONQUEST or ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Peru. When
he became President he gave early attention to
the subject and believed that there was rare
opportunity for the United States to extend its
legitimate influence and its commerce, without
becoming entanged in the strife. BY earnest
use of friendly influence, ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
Peru might have been prevented, and the com
inerclal classes of that country might thus have
been brought into the closest possible relations
of friendship with this country, without any
departure from neutrality or change OF polltl-
cal relations. a protectorate" would have
been both absurd and valueless The rescue OF
that country from conquest, ACKNOWLEDGMENT or
anarchy, by means of the proper influence OF
the United States, would have been a service
which Peru would never have forgotten.
Efforts in this direction had nothing to do
with guanO claims, and could not have been
promoted by any use Of such claims that the
wit of man has yet been able to discover. For,
if Peru was to retain its territory, 1t would not
make that people more tavoIabiy disposed To
the United States to have large claims pushed
by us with zeal, nor would the assertion oil
such a claim by us have rendered Peru less
willing to part with the disputed property III
settlement with Chill, while, as against Chill, 1t
was plainly impossible for the United States to
urge any claim of an American to property in
Peru as reason why that property should not
be transferred to the cOnquerOr. This country
could not ask Chill to forego any opportunity
to secure an extension of territory, merely on
the ground that rights of American citizens
within that territory would not be respected
by Chill. Plainly, it is not only true as Mr..
Blaine has testified, that Peruvian claims had
no part in the South American policy OF this
country, but the serious assertion Of any such
claim would of necessity have been an embar-
rassment and an obstacle to that policy. The
most and the least that could be done was to
ask Peru to give fair hearing to any Ameri-
can claimant, and that and no more was done
by Mr.. Blaine.
The real question, and the only one of cOnse-
quence was how far this country should go in
efforts to prevent ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF Peru.
Mr.. Trescots instructions, intended to be
secret, expressed the purpose of President
Garleld's Administration, and after his death
were formally approved and authorized by
President Arthur. Why were they not carried
out successfully Because the publication of
these secret instructions here, in spite of Mr..
Blaine's earnest protest, instantly and newt
ably defeated every effort that Mr.. Trescot was
sent to make. But why, under these circum-
stances, did President Arthur permit the publ
cation, and thus defeat and afterward reverse
the policy which he had at first adopted
In the answer to that question will be found
the cause of great defeat and disgrace of this
NdIlOU. ~ rare anu ldul cppOiAuhity was
thrown away. Peru, after having great en-
couragement, was embttered beyond measuI
by the seeming bad faith or cowardice of the
United States. The influence and friendship
which it was hoped to increase were wholly
thrown away and destroyed. The incalculable
advantages which might have been gained for
our commerce were sacrificed. For what
reason7 Has a cloud of personalities been
raised for the purpose of hiding that vital
question from the public For it makes
very little difference to the country whether
this or that individual deserves praise or
shame. But the loss of commerce, Of prestige,
of rghtful influence and of honor does make
difference. Sooner or later the public will look
behind the cloud Of SANDERS raised by Stall
warts and Democrats, and ask why it was that
the policy Of President Garfield in this matter
was suddenly and completely reversed, after
il had once been fully adopted as his own 10y
President Arthur ..,...
ENGLAND And THE VATTCAN.
NJ. ,.;ui+e IN tlo Vatican lova