The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-05

Ia Fouseca, the r1zier OF republican Era
I'll, il credited WITH the declaration that the
brazilian repahIic Il naturally in offensive
and defensive alliance with all America,
and that with such powerful assistance il
does not fear any effort to restore the rule
OF Dom Pedro.
II Ia Fonseea really gave utteFance 10
sneh q remark, he reckoned without bis
host 70 far a. the United States is con-
and defensive alliances. this country must
be counted out Il is the traditional policy
OF our government 10 avoid entangiiBg ALI
ances. ana tllis policy will be followed,
whether the alliance offered il with South
American republic or with an European
empire.
There have been many efforts TO drive
the United States from the foreign policy
outlined BY Washington and Hamilton.
During the NspoIeonie wars 10th Great
Britain and France endeavored by every
possible means to draw this country into
the struggle. and their efforts to accom-
plish this purpose at Last became 80 offen-
sive that. paradoxicai as it may seem, the
United States was actually compelled to go
to war in order 20 maintain its neutrality.
Though the war Of ISL did not shed much
iuster on American arms, it effectnaily
stopped attempts to draw the United States
into foreign wars by any means other than
through the sympathies of the American
people.
A ridiculous effort was made 70 induce
the United States TO interfere in behalf of
Greek Independence, and a quarter OF a
century later "a similar effort was made 10
induce interference in behalf of therevolted
Tfungarians. Henry Clay argued ably and
persistently in behalf Of an alliance with
the South American provinces when they
reyolted against Spanish rule. but the sober
sense of the American people was too
strong for him and the neutrality OF the
United States vas preserved. Only once has
our government departed from an attitude
of strict non-interference in the internal af-
fairs Of other countries That was when,
under the baneEuI influence OF the slave
holding oligarchy of the South, this eoun-
try annexed Texas and by most disgracefui
means provoked war with Mexico.
The people OF Brazil may re-enthrone Dom
Pedro II they want to. 1t will not concern
our government ia the least. and the
United states viii not interfere in the mat
ter in any way. There Is only one possible
contingency in which the United States
would be interested in the matter at all.
and that is the remote one of an attempt
by any European nation or by any league
of European nations to restore Dom Pc
dro. such movement would be regarded
with very grave concern by our govern
ment, for II would be contrary TO another
line of our settled policy. and would
doubtless lead 10 an utteraLee similar to
that which prevented the Holy Alliance
from interfering in the South American
war or to that which oecasioned the abrupt
withdrawal Of the French troops from
Mexico. However, the possibility of Euro
pean interference in the affairs of Brazil Is
contingency too remote for serious con-
sideration.
Da Fonseca cannot rely upon an ALL
American alliance. All thought of such an
alliance is based upon dream whose full
illment can never be-