The morning call., 1890-07-16
TERRITORIAL REDISTRIBUTION.

The proposed cession of Heligoland to
Germany may possibly set fashion that
will alter the map of the world. 1t may
lead statesmen to reconsider the doctrine
expounded by the Senate in General Grants
time that the possession of non-contiguous
territory is a source of weakness to
nation, with no redeeming advantage. Its
adoption may be foreshadowed by the nom
official revival of the scheme Tor the sale OF
Cuba to the United States.
When the British Government evacuated
the Ionian Islands, twenty-six years ago,
the controversy over the value Of distant
colonies was extensively waged. On the
one hand, the progressive school of states
men argued that the Ionian Islands, which
were British protectorate, were source
of expense annoyance and danger to En-
gland. and possessed neither commercial
nor strategic value; on the other hand, the
Tories argued that the more widely the
British flag was fioated the greater the
prestige and power of the empire. The
former prevailed. The Islands were handed
over to Greece, and it may safely be said
that the transfer has not cost Great Britain
a dollar, nor has it impaired its strength.
Fourteen years afterwaTd, however. the
Tories having regained power, the British
policy was reversed. and, in compliance
with bargain with the Porte, Great Brit
ain annexed the island of Cyprus. 1t may
be noted, in Illustration Of the character of
the ex-Chaucellor of Germany, that when
England evacuated the Ionian Islands Bis
marck declared that the event implied the
beginning of the decline and fall of En-
glands greatness, and that he warmly COM
,Inl an1f rtNnY nC
a base of operations against Egypt He
must regard the proposed cession of Helgo-
land as fresh proof of British decay.
Our policy in respect to the acquisition Of
territory has varied with the ascendeucy of
parties. We refused TO receive ST. Thomas
from Denmark, and would not listen to the
prayer of Dominica and Samoa for anneXa-
ton. The proposition TO annex Cuba thirty
odd years ago was considered as means of
strengthening the slave power. When
slavery was abolished the annexation party
went out of existence. The Polk admins
tration lost a chance TO acquire British
Columbia in the interest of slavery, but in
doing so made the mistake of the age.
There is a party comprising among its
members persons of influence who think
that we ought not only to embrace the OPP
portunity to acquire Cuba, but should like
wise open negotiations with England for
the acquisition of Bermuda and the Bahama
Islands, and should notify the maritime
powers that we propose at the earliest con-
venent moment TO occupy the Hawaiian
group. The argument upon which this
policy is justified does not rest upon any
positive value which these several pieces of
territory would be to the United States; it
is based on the menace which they consti-
tute so long as they are in foreign hands.
During the war of the Rebellion Bermuda
and the Bahamas were used as bases of
operation against our merchant navy.
Confederate cruisers found refuge and sup
plies of coal, water and provisions at Ham,
lton and Nassau, and we could not block
ade those ports, because they were British
possessions. Its argued that, if the United
States again went TO war, we should antiCi-
pate q recurrence of this annoyance by
occupying or blockadDg both ports, even
at the cost of hOstllities with Great Britain =,
and it is urged that it would be sound policy
for England to remove so obvious source
of friction by ceding them to the United
States before the necessity Of our acquiring
them became Immediate. 1t is further al
legged that n departure from our traditional
policy of refusing to occupy non-cOntiguous
territory might be Justified by the obvious
injury which an enemy might intict upon
US from the shelter Of these outlying points
of vantage. The argument on this branch
of the question was so clearly put by Gen
eraI Grant in his Dominica message that
there is nothing to be added to what he said.