Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-03
A FIRM roRErov POLICY.

A FIRM FOREIGN POLICY.
The conspicuous fault in the foreign
policy OF the last administration was its
lack OF firmness. In most essential re-
spects the traditional principles Of the
government we're asserted and the
rights which had been claimed by pre-
vious administrations in international
controversies were adhered to. There
was bungling in most cases, the effect
OF which was TO emDarrass our position,
but the great defect was want OF deci
sion and irmness in pursuing our de-
mands and insisting upon their recognf-
tion. The foreign powers with which
we had to deal knew very well
OF the existence Of this weakness and
took the fullest advantage of it. The
history OF the diplomatic controversy
regarding the fisheries supplies humil-
iating evidence OF the Indifference OF
the British government to our repre-
sentations. The communications of our
government we're pigeon-holed for
months in the British foreign Office be-
fore they received any attention, and VIC
believe some were wholly ignored.
Secretary Bayard himself told congress
Of the discourteous unconcern mani
tested by the British government, and
OF the great difficulty he had had in get
ting it TO give any consideration 10 the
matter in controversy. This was simply
due to the fact that MIR. Bnyard's timid
and half-hearted way OF dealing with
international questions was well under
stood at London, and the British officials
knew they could act at their own con-
venience without running any risks.
Mr.. Bayard was more concerned for
preserving friendly relations than he
was for maintaining the dignity of the
government and the respect due his
position as the chief of the department
OF state.
There can be no question that the
country got very tired of the
weak foreign policy of the last
administration and desired a change,
but on the other hand there was an ap-
prehension that with Mr.. Blaine man
aging our foreign affairs the change
might be too extreme. There was never
any substantial ground for such u fear.
Mr.. Blaine had at no time during his
public life shown any desire to do more
than insist that every just right and
claim of the country should be main
tanned. How the idea obtained that he
was likely to go farther than any other
patriotic American citizen in uphold
ing the rights of his country is not
easy to understand, since he has never
shown anything in the nature of iingo-
ism. But the fear existed and was
widespread. 1t can be said, with abso-
Lutte certainty, that it does not now ex-.
ist. and that, on the contrary, there is
general and complete confidence in the
ability of the administration to conduct
the foreign policy with honor and ad-
vantage to the country.
What has thus far been shown is that
firmness in pursuing policy is not in
compatible with the most amicable in
tentions. A nation does not necessarily
invite conflict when it insists that it's
rights shall be respected and it's
claims promptly considered. Doubtless
Mr.. Blaine would resent such treat
iuCu0 UiiO ISIiOkoh do
his predecessor tolerated, but who is
there that would not approve his doing
SO? The success of the American COM
missioners at Berlin is due to the firm
insistence on just demands and the con-
viction Of the German government that
the position taken would not be receded
from. The conference held in Wash
ington two years ago came to nothing,
largely for the reason that our position
was not properly backed up. The rep
resentatives of Germany and Great
Britain were under no pressure to
| finally determine the matter at issue.
1t is more than probable that had Mr..
Bayard remained at the head OF the
state department the Berlin conference
would not have resulted as it has, in a
practically complete triumph of the
American demands. In the other in
ternational questions which await set
| Element the government may not be
equally successful, but without aggra-
waiting the difficulties or offering any
| invitation to hostilities, it can be relied
upon to firmly insist on every just right
claimed. And this every American
citizen desires and expects.