The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-01
In thu Antilles. and this leads us to an

entirely different aspect OF the subject.
to which we invite the careful attention
o. our readers. Even In tho absence III
wel-deiined American purpose, the univer-
sal sentiment Of the world is, that no Euro
peun power need attempt to extend Its con-
troll over one inch OF the vast regions south
OF the United States. some OF them almost
without inhabitants, and In some respects
to be classcd among those things that are
defined ia the Roman law as res nutlius.
This state OF the European mind may be
illustrated by an anecdote.
The last British Minister to Washington.
who was still possessed OF the intense Tory
pride OF past generations, was Sir FRED
ERIC BRUCE. The old traditions OF CASTLE
REACH and OF WELLINGTON were still alive
in his mind. On the evening OF June ".
1867, the day the news OF MAX1MlLIANs
death reached Washington. Sir FREDERIC
BRUCE had few friends at his house, and
among them the French Minister. After
dinner. referring to MAXtMILIAN's death.
Sir FREDERIC made some remarks which
we're noted down Immediately atterward by
one OF those who heard them. IL have not
heard yet by cable on this subject from Lord
DERBY" said Sir FREDERIC to the French
Minister; "but know tho mind OF my coun-
try,nen. 1t has undergone such changes
that they will not utter protest; and it Is
very easy to foresce what will happen. We
have allowed the United States TO drive the
French expedition from Mexico. Very
so N W, shall be requested to apologize for
the affairs of the Alabama and tho other
cruisers, md England will agree to do 1t.
But, thank GOD may say that will not
/ a Il in, p1vinp with
such demands; before they are granted,
shall have resigned, or shall be dead
! No clearer view o. the impending changes
| could be expressed. Since that time the
cnnsco,,cnces Of the Preach failure in Mex
! leo on the one hand, and the conclusion ~!
| the ,r atty of Washington on the other have
I put au end to all and every scheme OF EJ-
! ropnnn powers on this continent or in ada
cent territories. Tho European Govern
ments which still own or control possessions
| in the Antilles or elsewhere, are simply on
the defensive None among them would
! undertaken to do more than retain, as long as
! circumstances may permit. what is theirs.
Some fourteen or fifteen years ago Gen.
! RICHARD TAYLOR then one OF the directors
! in n company which claimed to have ac-
ouir,d n controlling interest in SANTANA
Ray. went to Berlin and submitted to Prince
BISMARCK plan Tor the acquisition OF that
ha,bor According to Gen. TATLoRs state
mcnt to trusted friend he was most kindly
received, and listened t. with the utmost
interest But finally the Prince dismissed
him with the remark that the United States
would not tolerate German interference in
| those quarters. About the same time. when
FERDISAND DE LEssEPs, then on his way
back from Panama to France, stopped at
Washington, Mr. EvARTs then Secretary OF
State cxacted from the French Government
declaration to the effect that France would
never have anything to do with the enterprise
OF the Panama Canal; and the French
Minister at Washington, having been au-
thorized to execute such declaration.
signed it ard placed it in the hands OF the
Secretary OF State. These various illustra-
tons disclose a noteworthy situation which
has not yet been fully apprehended by the
general public. 1t ls true that no step
has been taken that could reveal we'll
defined outline OF American policy; and it
is equally true that no European power con-
templates any act or measure that might
indicate n tendency to increase its hold over
any part Of the Antilles. The notorious
interest OF the United States in preventing
such enterprises deters them all alike from
eEcroaching upon forbidden grounds.