New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-08

the present Government will hardly be inciineu
to repeat the Abyssinian expedition on larger
scale, and with smaller excuse. BesiueS' tho
British mind is exercised just now about 'he
affairs of China, and not without reason. =.
It has been limited that the friendly offices Oh
the limited States might be invoked by emma
in its controversy with France But this ID,
tiop. clinging to traditional mazims, still
shrinks from any step that might entanglo IL III
the affairs of other countries. IhonSh tno
United States has a deep interest In the anauS
of the far East-and that interest ought 10 DO
much deeper than it is-pOpular feeling "ouiu
hardly sustain the Government IN defending
China against any other Power or in any Dip
lomatic course that might involve us in contro-
yersv with France on matter not pertaining
to the rights of American citizens. Indeed, 80
avcrse do the people seem to any Intervention
in foreign affairs that the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT VI
Peru by Chill keenly as it affected American III
terests, was considered by a great many citizeI'
inadequate reason for diplomatic lh'erPosi'ion.
Though our own commerce was threatened anu
the rights of many American citizens were uo-
MED, when interpOsiton bV the United Suites
Nos Suggested a large part of the politicians
lifted their hands in horror, and comparatively
few of the people saw good reason Tor uo'hs
ANYTHING. Scarcely covered by the gloves OIL
Chill, the iron hand of British commercial ag-
erosion closed upon Peru without even muir
mur OF objection from most OF the people OIL
this peace loving country.
The impressions of childhood are deep anu
lasting. When this nation was in Its Daoy-
hood. the fathers sOlcmnly warned against Gu
tapplomcnt IN the affairs Of other nations. we
remember the old lesson, and most people re-
reat il with the same sort of veneratlon that
tbcv rive to the Ten Commandments or INC
Cacchisn learned in their youth, though the
circumstances which prompted the warning
have passcd away. In fact, it is worthy OF
seriors consideration whether this nation can
afford much longer to treat with cailous III
dioerenco the relations and tie conduct OF
other Powers.
II is matter of daily complaint that the
markets. for American products are too narrow {;
that the avenues of commerce all over the Worlu
have been seized by rival nations; that nobody
cares to have the United States Tor a lrlehu
because its traditional scliiShncss makes us
friendship practically ValucleSs; that our arp
lomotic representation abroad is nggardly ana
ipadrGuatc, and our naval fOTco IN foreign
,v,tcrs simplv contempliblc; that American
Influence does not avail to secure fayors or To
Dromote commercial relations, even with other
Rcpnbics; and that we arc supposed to be 80
v,y,npcd in the solitude of our own grandeur
nlt IL makes no difference 10 Us whether other
nations treat us or each Other well or Ill.,
| Franco encourages tho opening Of a canal
across the lsthmus of Panama, but the United
States is too clf.COnGdcut or indifferent even
| TO crowl. Spain treats our ships with small
courtesy, and Germany shuts out American
products, but the United States moves along
as if nothing had happened. The UiS
brother m the family Of nations refuses to hit
even a little finger to save n weaker from ham,
because he is too busy, and does not want To
| spend money, or timc, or trouble, except IN his
own immediate Affairs.
But modcrn civilization has made MS all one
| family. II has knit together all the nations
| of the world so that the interests of each are
| the interests Of all. Isolation will not be pos
siblc for rs ycIy long. II may be in China 1t
NAV be in South America, it may he IN the
West Ip.ics pr in Central America, but in-
eyjtahly thprc will arise somewhere, before
MANY years, n necessity for inter- ostion by the
United States. Il we will not bcirirnd others,
we shall by-aud-by bo obliged all alone TO
! defend or own interests and rights. 1t IA
uncstion whether this nation may not well
| begin TO cors Ter a little more what obligations
of nieudship and helpluluc,s Its position IN the
! family OF nations imposes.