The Portland daily press., 1884-06-28
Foreign Policy of Mr. Blaine

The uneasy spirits who are fretting about
the horrors of war to follow from Mr..
Blane's foreign policy as foreshadowed dur
ing his short term as Secretary of State, had
better read his invitation to all the Ameri-
can nations TO assemble in Washington by
accredited representatives and form Peace
Congress for the very purpose of aboishing
war from this continent. Though the in
vitation was revoked by his successor, Mr..
Blaine's intent is unmistakable.
This document may be regarded as the
full and clear expression of Mr.. Blaine's mo-
tive in ali his official action toward the other
States of this continent, and the sufficient
explanation of his policy regarding their re-
lations with this nation and their relations
among themselves. There is nothing in any
of bis dispatches which reasonable minds
must interpret as Inconsistent with the pa
cific and humane purpose therein broadly
declared. We commend this state paper to
the thoughtful perusal of all. 1t is good
reading now, and it is worth preserving to
read again whenever anybody shall attempt
to assert that Mr.. Blaine's foreign policy
was war policy. Here is the invitation,-
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1884,
SE:-The attitude of the United States with re-
spect to the question of general peace on the Amer
lean continent, is well known through its persistent
efforts for years past to avert the evils of warfare
or these efforts falling to bring positive conflicts to
an end through pacific counsels the advocacy Of
impartial arbitration.
This attitude has been consistently maintained,
and always with such fairness as to leave no room
for imputing to our government any motive except
the humane and dsinterested one of saving the
kindred States of the American continent from tho
burdens of war The position of the United States
as the leading power Of the New World might well
give to it's government claim to authoritative ut
terance for the purpose of quieting discord among
It's neighbors, with all of whom the most friendly
relations exist. Nevertheless the good oficessof
this government are not, and have not at any time
been rendered with show of dictation or compul-
sion, but only as exhibiting the socItous goodwill
OF q common friend.
For some years past growing disposition has
been manifested by certain States of Central and
South America to refer disputes affecting grave
questions of international relationship and bounda-
ries to arbitration rather than the sword 1t has
been on several such occasions of profound
satisfaction to the government of the United States
20 see that this country is, in a large measure.
looked to by all the American powers as their
friend and mediator. The Just and impartial coun-
Bel OF the PRESIDENT in such cases has never been
withheld, and his efforts have been rewarded by
the prevention of sanguinary strife or angry
ton between peoples whom we regard as brethren.
The existence of this growing tendency convinces
tha President that the time is ripe for proposal
that shall enlist the goodwill and active co-opera.
ton of all the States of the western hemisphere,
both north and south, in the interest of humanity
and for the co mmOn veal OF nations. He coHceives
that none of the governments Of America can be
less alive than our own to tho dangers and horrors
OF q state OF and egp6CiallV of
knsmen. He is sure that none of the chiefs of
governments on the continent can be less sensitive
than be as to the sacred duty of making every en-
deapor 10 do away with the chances of fratricidal
strife. And he looks with hopeful confidence to
eucn actlye assistance from them as will serve to
snow the Droadness OF our common humanity, and
the strength of the ties which bind us ali together
rs great and harmonious system of American
commemorative.
Impressed BY these views, the President extends
to all the independent countries of North and South
America an earnest invitation to participate in a
general congress to be held in the city of Washing
ton on the oath day of November, 1882, for the
purpose of considering and discussing the methods
of preventing war between the nations of America.
he desires that the attention of the congress shall
be strictly confined to this great object; it's
sole aim shall be to seek way of permanently
averting the horrors of cruel and bloody combat
between countries, oftenest of one blood and
speech, or The even worse calamity of internal COM
motion and civil sirfe that it shall regard The bur
deDsome and far-reaching consequences of such
struggles, the legacies of exhausted hnai ces of
oppressive debt, of onerous taxation, of ruined
cities of paryzed industries of devastated fields
of ruthless conscnption, of the slaughter OF men,
o. the grief of the widow and the orphan, of en-
Uttered re-entments, that lsng survive those who
provoked them and heavily af1ict the innocent
generations that come after.
The President is especially DESTROYS to have it
understood that, in putting forth this invitation,
the United States does not assume the position of
counseling, attempting through the voice of the
congress, to counsel any determinate solution of
VIII ma iVidQ nf fhQ
countries of America. such questions cannot prop
erly come before the cong ess. Its mission is
higher 1t is to provide for the interests of all in
the future, not to settle the Individual differences
of the present. For this especially the Pres
ident has indicated day for the assembling of the
congress far in the future TO have good ground
for hope that by the time named the present situa-
ton GU the South Pacific coast will be happily
Terminated, and that those engaged in the contest
may take peaceabe part in the discussion and So
luton of the general question affecting in equal
degree the well being of all.
1t seems also desirable to dsclaim in advance any
purpose on the part of the United States to pre-
Judge the issues to be presented to the congress-
1t is far from the intent of this government to ap
pear before the congress as In any sense the pro-
tector OF its neghbors or the predesned and neces
sary arbitrator of their disputes The United States
VIII enter into the deliberations Of the congress on
the same footing as the other powers represented,
and with ms loyal determin alton to approach any
prop eed solution not merely in its own interest," or
With view to asserting Its own power, but as .
HinRle msmbar among ma y coordinate and CO.
equal States So far as the influence Of this gov
eminent may be potential 1t will be exerted in the
direction Of conciatng whatever conflicting utter
ests of blood government, historical tradition
may necessa lily together in response to a call
embracing such vest and diverse elements.
You will present these views to the minister of
foreign relations of the Argentine Republic, en-.
larging, if need be- in such terms will readily
cur TO you, upon the great mission which it is with
In the power of the proposed congress to accom-
plish in the interest of humanity; and upon the
firm purpose of the United States to maintain a
position of the most absolute and Impartial friend
ship TOWARDS ali. You will thereupon in the name
of the President of the United States tender to
His Excellency the President of the Argentine
Republic, formal invitation to send two commits
and instructions on behalf of their government as
will enable them to consider the questions brought
before that body within the limit of submission