New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-26
THE GREAT BUGABOO.
FOREIGN POLICY or TIE GARFIELD
ADMIbISTRATIOA
LETTER FROM Ex-sEcRETARY BLAINE.

Two years ago, just after President Arthur had
reversed the foreign policy laid down by the Car
field Administration Mr. Blaine wrote the follow
ing letter to paper in Chicago. Ii extensively
published through the country at the time. There
is an active desir to read it anew We insert 1t en-
tire
AUGUSTA Maine, September l. 1892.
The foreign policy OF President Gar1elds administra-
tion had two principal objects in view First, 10 bring
about peace and prevent in North and South
America second. to cultivate such friendly commercial
relations with ali American countries would lead 10
large increase in the export trade Of the United States by
supplying those fabrics in which abundantly able
70 compete with the manufacturing nations ~ Europe
TO attain the second object the first must be nc
complished. II would he dle 70 attempt the develop
ment and enlargement trade with The countries OF
North and South America il that trade liable NJ any
unforeseen moment to be violently interrupted by such
that which FOR three years has engrOssed and
almost cngulfed Chill, Peru. and Bolivia "a that which
barely averted by the friendly Offices Of The United
states between Chill and the Argentine Republic as that
which has been postponed by the good Offices but
not decsivoiy abandoned. between Mexico and Guate
mala a. that whish threatened between Brazil and
Uruguay az that which now foreshadowec be
tween Brazil ard the Argentine states. Peace Ia
essential TO commerce. Ia the very fc o. honest trade Is
tie solid basis ot international prosperity
and yet there ia no part Of the world
where resort to arms Is 50 prompt in the
spanish American Republics Those Republics have
grown out OF the old Colonial divisions formed from
csprcious grants to avoes By Royal charter and taen
boundaries are In many not clearly defined, and
consequently afford the basis VI continual disputes break
forth too often m open To induce The Spanish
American states to adopt peaceful mode of ADJUST
ing heir frequently recurring contentious was regarded
b. the late President of the NEST honorable and
useful ends to which the diplomacy Of the United states
could connbute-useful especially those states by
.,fF
useful 10 country by affordng coveted oppor
unty for extending its and securing enlarged
fields FOR our products and manufactures.
THE MOTIVE FOR CALLING PEACE CONGRESS.
Instead Of friendly Intervention here and there patch
In up treaty between two countries to-day, securing
between two others tomorrow IL was apparent 70
President that comprehensive plan should be
ad opted n war was TO cease in the Western Hemisphere
evident that certain European Powers had n-the
past been Interested In promoting strife between the
spanish American countries and might be interested
in he future while the interest Of the United states
wholly and always the side OF peace with all our
American neighbors, and peace between them all.
therefore the Presidents belief that Incl
dental partial adjustments failed attain the de-
sired end and that common agreement OF peace, per
manent in its character aud continental in It's extent,
should II possible be secured To effect this cnd had
been resolved before the fatal shot OF July p to invite all
the independent governments Of North and South
The date DO assigned the 18th OF March,
1ss2. and the invitations would have been Issued III
fectly the NewEugand tour which the President
was permitted 10 make. Nearly six months later on
November -. President Garhcds successor issued the
invitations The Peace Congress in the same spirit and
scope and with the same limitations and restrictions that
had been originally designed.
As soon a. the project understood in South Amer
lea received most cordial approval and some OF the
countries. following the leisurey routine Of dplo
matte correspondence. made haste to accept the invita-
ton. There be no doubt That within brief period
all the invited would have formally signtcd their
readiness attend the Congress but IN six weeks after
the invitations had the several countries Pres
dent Arthur caused Jhe % be recalled or ~ cast suS-
pended The subject afterward referred % Congress
In special message. IN which the President ably vim
dictated uis COns u0ual right 10 assemble the Peace
Congress but expressed desre that The legislative de-
parnent ~ the Government should give opinion upon
the e1peenoy the step before the Congress should be
allowed 10 convene M7dnWhle the nauon' that received
the invitations we're m an embarrassing situation ior
after they were asked by the President 60 come they
found that the matter had Doen rec0nsdered @d referred
TO another department OF the Government rus change
Abandonment of the project. for 70 not r0m the first
probable that Congress would take any acton whatever
~ ~, n nc in ,vb,e he ouestiGu vyr,ls oerrssartIv
become inteTnlxed with personal and party politics,
and the project would be ultimately wrecked nom
cause and b. the same process that destroyed
years when Mr.. Clay was Secretary Of state. The
time foI Congressional action would after the
Peace Conference had closed It's 9bors The conference
could rot agree upon anything thar would binding
upon the United states. unless assened % as treaty By
tie senate enacted into law by both branches. The
assembling of the Peace Conference, President Arthur
SO well demons rated was not Ia cerogaSioh q" any .ght
prerJgattve Of the Senate.or 10 it. The money ueces
sary for the expenses of the cOuerence-which would
not have Tceeded SlOOOO-coud notwith reason OF pro
protT. have been refused by Congress-. l. 10 had been
refused, patriotism and philanthropy would have
promptly supplied IT.
THE NECESSITY Of FRIENDLY INTERVENTION
The Spanish American stateSare in special Mood Of the
help which the Peace Congress would afford Them They
require external pressure keep them from When
they require external pressure TO bring them 70
peace. Their outbreaks only frequent, but
-angunsry and sometimes cruel The Inhabitants OF
those countries are brave people, belonging to
that aas always been brave descended OF men that have
always been proud. They OF hOt temper, quok to
take arout, ready 10 lyenge wrong, whether real or
lncied They at the time generous and chiva
rous. and though tending for years past TO estrange
ment and alienation from US they would promptly re-
spond % any advance made by the Great Republic "
the North as they have Tor two generations termed our
Government he moral influence upon the spanish I
American people Of such International assembly as the
Peace Congress called by the mytatlon ana meeting /
under the auspices OF the United states, W0nli nave
proved benehcent and iarreacning IL would nave /
raised the standard Of their civilization II would /
have turned their attention 70 the things /
Of peace and the continent, whose undevel-
oped wealth amazed Hum 0Gt might nave nad new /
Ne given 10 IT, new and splendid career opened to its
inhabitants.
sts N a. tAc attempt 20 restore peace OeINefu mn
and Peru f within the line NJ bOtu duty and interest on
on nltcd states NdJlOud Ike
require he AID OF friend restore relations Of
amity. Peru and Chili in depOrAbe need or a
wise and powerful mediator Though exhausted by war;
they are uaabe to make peace aud. unless they shalt Dc
aided by the Intervention Of a friend, political anarchy
and social disorder will the conquered and evils
arccy less serious the cOBquerOr Our own Govern
ment cannot take the ground tina. 10 viii no oner friendly
intervention 10 settle OUbies between American couu-
t1es unless al the same time 10 frisY coucedes
10 European governments the right or such
intervention and thus consents 70 "a pracu-
cal destruction " The Monroe doctrine and an Unlimited
increase " European aud mOuarChicdl influence on TINS
lff q d
IrcscOt, gives 70 deliberate and published concu-
sion That II the Instruction. under which he set Out upon
bis mission bad not been revoked peace between those
an cry be.-prents would have established as the
result 0f ais abOrs-uecs sa1ly the great benefit or
Itfr Gov.