New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-11
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

AMERICAN FOREIGN FOLiCI'
The approaching Pan-American Congress is
exciting apprehension in various quarters OF
maritime Europe. French, Spanish and Ger
man journals forecast as the result OF its de-
alterations the establishment of commercial
relations between the United States and Cen
tral and South America which will revolution
ize existing conditions of trade. Some OF them
are so ignorant respecting the pacific tendencies
of American civilization that they venture TO
outline a career of aggression, conquest anu
political domination for the United States. All
these foreign critics agree in describing the
Congress as one of the earliest indications OF
a radical change in the foreign policy of the
chief American Republic. 1t is not strange
that such views should be expressed abroad
for Americans since the war have been so com
pletely absorbed in the settlement of domestic
questions and in the development of internal
resources as to create a general impression
abroad that they have no foreign policy what
soever.
Americans themselves have fallen into the
habit of regarding non interference with affairs
outside the frontiers as the traditional policy
of the Nation. This is most erroneous view
If the thirteen Colonies which won their lnde-
pendence by diplomatic alliance and their
own valor and heroic sacrifices had deliberate
ly adopted policy of abstention from the
affairs Of the world, the progress of American
nationality would not be to- day the marvel of
modern civilization. They did not restrict
their circle of activities and ambitions to the
territories lying within their boundary lines.
Among the earlier fruits Of American hplo-
macy were the Louisiana purchase, the extern
sion of the Maine frontier, the annexation oil
Florida, the recovery Of the Pacific coast north
of the Columbia, the conquest OF Texas, the
settlement of California and the acquisition OF
extensive territories in the Southwest by the
Gadsden purchase. Simultaneously with this
career of continental expansion there was
comprehensive declaration Of American as
cendancy in the affairs of this continent. SO
far from disclaming interest and concern IN
what was going on in the world one generation
of patriotic statesmen after another recognized
the moral obligation resting upon powerful
Republic to extend helping hand to weaker
Governments on this continent that were
struggling to be free and Independent.
During the civil war the State Department
was necessarily placed on the defensive. but
Mr.. Seward perseyered in UNFOLDING The Mon
roe Doctrine and finally reverted to the old
time policy Of territorial expansion in nego-
tiating the purchase Of Alaska. Then followed
long period when public attention was cen
tired upon the haraSsng difficulties of recon-
sfruction, the restoration Of National credit,
the development Of home industries and the
settlement of the Western domain. There
was sufficient interest in foreign policy to bring
about an honorable adjustment Of the Alabama
claims. but Americans became less sensitive
TO the requirements Of National honor and
prestige, and too ready to accept the attitude
of isolation and nOn-interventiOn as the char
acteristic habit of their traditional diplomacy.
There are now many indications of revival Of
the older and more comprehensive spirit OF
American public life. The issues of domestic
politics. still manifold and urgently pressing
for settlement, have ceased to dominate public
attention. Americans are beginning to look
beyond their own borders, and to take more
active interest in the affairs Of other nations
on their own continent. They have resolUely
undertaken to build navy that will be worthy
alike of their prestige in the past and OF their
existing greatness and prosperity. The restora-
ton of their commercial marine has become
one of the largest National issues. The in
! vitations TO the Pan-American Congress be-
tokened tardy recognition of old-time obliga-
I tons to make the influence of the United
| States Government directing force in Ameri-
can civilization.
1t cannot be denied that foreign critics are
| justified in their professions Of establishment
over the change which has been effected in
the Nations attitude toward the Central and
South American republics. For many years
the traditional policy of cultivating close and
SYMPATHETIC relations with those States, and
of fostering commerce and trade with them.
| has been practically abandoned. Americans
have been unduly preOccupied with the de-
tails Of their industrial progress and domestic
politics. But they are awakening now to
realization Of lost opportunities and future ne
cessitieS. They have no desire to enter upon
career Of wanton interference with the rights
of weaker and less populous States. Terri
| torial conQuests have no attractions for them.
but they are bent upon regaining their com
merca supremacy, upon attracting Canada
into political union, and upon welding more
direct and wholesome influence in the affairs
of the American Continent.