New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-31

movement would disappear the moment America
ceased to interfere. Their argument is that
America has no right TO interfere with their
political affairs any more than would France or
Germany. So any policy of Lord Salisbury lcok-
ing toward the discontinue or the snubbing of
the Government of the United States would meet
with rapturous approval in Tory circles. The
position automatically promises to be an interest
ing one. All the questions at issue must he
settled before the season of next summer is opened
No one has right to anticipate any real diff
Guilty. but the United States is in the unfortunate
position of being the inferior antagonist, what
ever the rights of the case may he through It's
lack Of armed strength. Recent advices from
London say that the English fleets will he doubled
in our ncighborhood early in the spring The
relations between the two countries are thoroughly
amicable but such action upon tie part Of Eng
land is regarded, and will he regarded. as tie
same kind of bullying performed by her in ler
dispute with Portugal last winter. That is
case in point exactly illustrating Englands atti-
tude in the diplomatic world. She treated
Portugal with exactly the same delicate courtesy
that a bulldog would n rat She would not have
dared to have treated in hgh-handcd way
any ether nation in Europe, except possibly Greece
And probably on account of the other Powers
even Greece would have been more kindly handled.
What England is doing now, if the question at
dispute were between her and any of the nations
of Europe would he considered along the line OF
distinct menace. If England were TO have dis
pute with any of the great continental Powers
and should. pending the continuance Of that dis
pute, begin to order i'll the ncishborhood OF the
nation involved an increased number of SHIPS ana
should begin strengthening her Notifications ana
her coaling stations in Tie neighborhood ol the
ships, such a nation would have right to cry
halt. In the highly charged condition OF the
political atmosphere Of Europe such action might
be considered fit provocation for war. But Win
lis We have only within few years had sui
fcent strength on the sea to maintain dispute
in ANYTHING more than husky diplomatic WIS
per and with the genufcctons of humility. Any
thing more than this has excited the blood ana
pulses of the Mugwump statesmen of the period.
xho have howcd shrickcd with terror at the
prospect of becoming involved in Il foreign "Is-
putc. 1t is such an attitude OF weak
ness and humility which sometimes drags
nation into war. TO he fully
prcpared for a war is Ia make certain thai We
shall never have one At least, the POSSIBILITY
of one would he greatly removed. u we ever It"
have a war with England again j. Will Ne through
our being forced through our armed weakness 10
submit to too much arrogance and resumption
upon the part of the Enelisa Foreign AfalrS VI
fee Some day there may come such hIlhilh''ioh
that the country Will resent II. ana thch therc
will he a mad cry for retaliation To-day the cN-
is,ence Of our ono commcrce-des'roNcr, winch Will
he fully equipped by the tine the season opens
will no tao one most effective argument In the
settlement of the seal fisheries d'sHntc hcAo
s,,,,,,or T. C. CRAWFORD.