New-York tribune., 1885-02-05
" THE EUROPEAN 4REOPAGUS."

The pernicious effect of participation by the
| United States Government III the Berlin Con
| ference is already apparent. The foreign press
| is gravely discussing the consequences OF thls
departure from time -hOnored traditions and at
| tempting to forecast the future alliances OF the
United States with European Powers. Prince
Bismarck's success in Turing the American Gov
ernment into the council chambers of the
Radzwil Palace has been recognized in several
capitals. In England a political alliance with
the United States is openly advocated by the
press of both parties. The Post, the organ OF
the old fashioned Conservatives, congratulates
America upon the activity it is displaying
abroad, and asserts that new foreign policy
has been adopted at Washington. The Pal
Mall Gazette, which with many fantastic
crotchets of its own Is intensely Radical in
politics, argues that Mr.. Kasson's presence at
the Berlin Conference must be taken as a por-
tent of things TO come" since America will
continue to exert great and Increasing in
huence in the work of pacifying Africa" The
same journal urges the British Government to
form political alliance with the United States
and predicts that the Republic before long Will
claim "admittance into the European Areop-
e4agus whenever dealing with questions per
tanning to interests outside the boundaries of
" the European Continent"
This, then, is the result of renouncing the
traditions of century of American diplomacy
aud making new beginning in foreign policy.
The country is considered to be in the market
for European alliances. The foreign press is
sOlemnly reading auguries OF future complca-
tions and allOtting to the United States Its
share in the work of Specifying Africa by
conquest. One of the London journals even
goes 50 far as to justify the active intervention
of the American Government In the affairs OF
the Dark Continent, on the broad grounds that
Mr.. Stanley, the explorer of the Congo Valley,
carried with him the sovereignty of his native
country, and also that large portion of the
population of the Union has drawn its Blood
and race traits from Africa. The rights of the
United States in Central Africa are thus freely
conceded. 1t can do there in the future the
same sort of work that England is now carry
ing on in the Soudan, France in Torquin, Italy
at Assab Bay, and Germany at the Cameroons-
pacification through the slaughter of natives
and the conquest of their territory!
Since Europe is misinterpreting the diplomatic
policy of the United States and imagining so
many vain things respecting the consequences
of Mr. KassOn's presence at the Berlin Confer
ence, Will it not be prudent for the Government
to dispel the illusions Why should the Amer
lean representatives remain in that European
areopagus dealing with questions which do
not concern the people of the United States
They should be recalled as speedily as possible
and the European Powers left to determine for
themselves the conditions upon which settle
ments are to be made in Africa, and acquisitions
of territory regulated by international agree
ment. AS for the United States, its areopagus
is on the American Continent. 1t does not
stand in need of European alliances. "The
great rule Of conduct for u.s." as Washington
said in his Farewell Address, in regard to
foreign nationsis, In extending our commercial
"relations, to have with them as little political
connection as possible Or again. in the same
address: "Against the insidious wiles of
foreign influence conjure you to believe me,
fellow citizens, the jealousy of free people
sought to be constantly awake, since history
@and experience prove that foreign influence is
zone of the most baneful foes of Republican
| government"