Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-08
MIR. BLAINE's INSTRUCTIONS.
What He Advised Minister Comfy to Do
I'm Regard to Samoa.


Mr.. Blaine's letter of instructions to Minister
Comfy under date of November 49, 1881, indi-
Gates what his course in regard to Samoa would
be were he Secretary of State The letter said
Tho policy of this country with regard to the
Pacific is the natural complement to its Allan
tic policy. The history of our European rela-
tons for fifty years shows the Jealous concern
with which the United States has guarded its
control of the coast from foreign interference,
and this without extension Of territorial possess
sion beyond the mainland. 1t has always been
its aim to preserve the friendly neutrality of
the adjacent states and insular possessions.
Its attitude toward Cuba is q case in point.
Our relations present and prospective to-
ward Cuba have never been more ably set
forth than IN the remarkable note
addressed by my predecessor, Secretary
Everett, to the ministers Of Great Britain and
France in Washington ON December 1. 1852. in
rejection of the suggested tripartite alliance to
forever determine the neutrality of the Spanish
Antilles. In response to the proposal that the
United States, Great Britain and France should
severally and collectively agree to forbid the
acquisition of control over Cuba by any or all
of them, MIR. Everett showed that. without
forcing or even coveting possession OF the
island, its condition was essentially an Ameri-
can question; that the remuneration forever by
would be far broader than the like renuncia-
ton by Great Britain and France; that ever
ceasing TO be Spanish, Cuba must necessarily
become American and not fall under any other
European domination, and that the ceaseless
movement Of segregation of American interests
from European control and unifcation in
broader sphere of independent life could not
and should not be checked by any arbitrary
agreement Nearly thirty years have
demonstrated the wisdom of the atti-
AL H., ,Nn-r, a1 NJ. -AAA
and have made indispensable its continuance
and its extension to all parts of the American
Atlantic system where a disturbance Of the ex-
listing status might be attempted in the inter-
est of foreign powers. The present attitude of
this government toward any European project
for the control of an isthmian route is but the
logical sequence of the resistance made in 1852
to the attempted pressure of an active foreign
influence in the West Indies. Hawaii although
much further from the California coast than is
Cuba from the Florida peninsula, holds in the
western sea much the same position as Cuba in
the Atlantic. 1t is the key to the maritime do
miDion of the Pacific states as Cuba Is the key
to the gulf trade. The material possession of
Hawaii is not desired by the United States any
more than was that of Cuba. But under no
circumstances can the United States permit
any change in the territorial control of either
which cuts it adrift from the American system,
whereto they both indispensably belong.
hhOtHtE SOntcnJAOus
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL
LEAGUE TO CALL ONE IN PHILADELPHIA SOON.
The executive committee of the Irish ma
tional league in America has issued circular
calling attention afresh to the struggle going
on in Great Britain, and giving renewed as
surances OF the unfailing sympathy and sup
port of the Irish in America to the leaders of
the cause in the old country. The committee
announces that national convention will soon
be called to meet in Philadelphia. ITO this con-
vention every organization, however closely
or remotely connected with the Irish national
cause in the past, will be invited 10 send repre-
sentatives. This, the last national convention
of the 'Exiled Gael should be the greatest in
numbers, the most emphatic and effective in
its proposed line of action, and should be the
fitting close to the last ten years of heroic sacri-
fees which lovers of liberty and justice in
America have so grandly made. That the
proper act may accompany the words of hope
and encouragement which Ireland needs in this
her trying hour. We hereby authorize the treas
urer of the Irish national league of America,
Rev. Chas. OReilly, DID,. to send Immediately
to MIR. Parnel the sum of $50, 000."