Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-09-18
FRANCE AND AMERICA.
The New York "HeraId's" Double
Loaded Leader.
GREAT BRlTAIN's PROBABLE COURSE.
Why American Men.of-War Should be Or.
dered Into Asiatic Waters Our
Interests Should be Pro-
tected.

double-lesded leader on the condition of
matters abroad says: We have not too
much Of a navy; but matters are getting
so complicated on the Chinese coast-ss
our special dispatches continue to show
that the President ought to order the
whole OF our available feet TO those waters
at once. The Richmond, fourteen guns;
the Essex and Enterprise, of six guns each;
the Ashuelot and Monocrycy, two anti.
quated paddle wheel vessels, and dispatch
boat, the Palos, now, according to the last
naval register, constitute our Asiatic
squadron. To these ought to be added the
few seaworthy vessels which We now have
in the Mediterranean, and on the North
and South Pacific stations, only ten in all,
and that without delay.
AS force for war purposes all these
ships combined would, OF course, amount
to but little. and our monitors are incom.
petent for foreign service. But there are
Large American Interests
in China which may at any moment, and
al dozen different points on that extern
siye coast need protection.N There are
American citizens on legitimate business
scattered all over the great region which
may presently become the theatre OF en- &C.
tive war, and our government can do no
less than concentrate in the neighborhood
of these threatened hostilities at least
enough ships 10 show our flag wherever
American interests or American citizens
may fall into trouble, to afford an asylum
TO our people, and TO offer a prompt re-
monstrance in the name Of tie United
States against indiscreet or impertinent in
references by belligerents with citizens OF
the United States.
For this end our whole available navy is
not too numerous. Its concentration IN
Chinese waters
VIII Also Show 10 England and France
that if we have nut-hecause We do not
ntcd-ships as formidable as theirs, we
hsve officers and men so instructed and dis.
ciplined that We are not entirely unpre-
ph!ed 10 meet an enemy on the ocean.
but there is another and broader reason
for the concentration OF our available ships
in Chinese waters at this time. France IN
Hose regions faces not only China, but
u!so England. II she goes TO war with China
she will encounter not only the open and
direct hostility OF the Chinese, but the
indirect and maleN olent opposition OF the
English, whose jealousy OF the French adj
vances and pretentions in the East already
begins to show itself. A war between
France and China will
Arouse Intense Feeling
in England, because it will greatly incon-
venience British commerce. So peculiar
are the relations Of Englishmen to Chinese
and Eastern commerce that even though
England, already hi n iicapped with Ir.l md
first class Power, might not interfere with
arms against the French, il is certain
that her diplomacy and her fleets
would give all the annoyance posi-
BILE 10 France short OF aCtual hOstilitiss
There will be misunderstanding, disputes
various troubles arising mainly out OF Eng
lish arrogance and jealousy; and the prs.
ence on the scene Of representatives OF
strong Power like the United States, which
yet by its traditional policy and by its in
lerests is impartial and
Leans Toward Peace
this may be of the last importance iI
preventing spread Of war by providing
suitable srbitrators in those petty disputes
which so Of en- preCipitate war betweea two
proud and powerful nations.
If We speak OF the United States as i'm
partial we do not forget that American
sympathies are naturally and properly
with the sister Republic, France, Ameri.
cans would DE false to themselves did they
not heartily wish the French experiment
OF Republican Government prosperity and
permanance. Nor are we OF the United
States blind to the fact that the well-wish.
ers OF peaceable and orderly French Re-
public are very few in Europe. The exam.
pie and success OF France are regarded AS
menace TO monarcbical Institutions, aud
when the Republic blunders
Kings and Ministers Rejoice.
II has been thought that the new foreign
policy of the French Republic was a blum
der: but We ere not 90 sure OF that. The
event may show that French statesmen
were wise and far seeing in turning the at
tention of the nation from European TO
distant questions, and in establish ng a
"olcrial policy as an outlet for the suDera-
..; ~, hers, energy and capital OF
...r uds colonial policy hasbeen
aivu. In all quarters OF the
i has provided employment for
rr cspital and careers for her am
hiIious and restless youth. Is there any
good reason why France, contented and en-:
~iCf ell ry peaceful liberty al home, should
not tenefit by foreign enterprise? And is
not this new ireer on which
Our Sister Republic
has launched itself the best assurance
France can give 20 the remainder OF
Europe that with the downfall OF C;rsarism
came also the cessation OF that mischiev1us
and meddling policy which made the En-.
pire constant menace 10 The peace OF
Europe?
No nation is so peaceable as one that is
free. 1t would be singular and admir-.
able glory for the French Republic il by
wise craftsmanship it should prove to
watchful and jealous Europe that tie Re-
public means peace, and that under popu.
lar government the French people cease to
look for glory" and turn their attention
In the adyancement OF commerce aud the
spread OF the arts OF civilization, and de-
vote those energies to the founding Of col.
onies which, under the Empire, were
wasted upon meddlesoue and mischievous
interference with the concerns OF ne gh-
hnrinp nations.