The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-04
chm. England. and tho United States.

CAi1i, England. and tho United States.
Il has for some time been obvious that the
Gillian provisional authorities have been
prompted to refuse reparation for the out
IAEos inflicted In Valparaiso on seamen
wearing the American uniform by the belief
that England would shield them from the
consequences Of their wrongdoing. The
assumption that In any emergency they can
count on the assistance OF British fleet
has led them to accept meekly at the hands
Of Great Britain's representatives an in
Jury With which the causes Of offence
alleged 70 have been given by the American
Minister cannot for moment be compared.
We refer to the order issued at President
BALMA@DA's request by the British Minis
ter KENNEDY to the commander OF n British
war ship to transport to Montevideo mil
lion Of dollars In specie belonging to the
Gillian treasury. The Junta have swal-
lowed this affront In the hope that with
highlands connivance they may be able to
insult the United States with impunity.
But Santiago ia good deal further away
from London than Is Washington. and it
may be thut the men In power there are less
well informed than we are concerning the
lengths to which Lord SALISBURY would go
In their behalf. We have given Great Brit
ain no pretext for IL quarrel. and therefore.
the present head of the Foreign Office would
not DO suffered by public opinion to attempt
an Intervention which Lord PALMEnsToN
was withhci. from making during our civil
war. What used To be called the governing
cissse, no longer govern the United King
dom. The enfranchised millions do not
a Ill.
the British nrisiocrncy to applaud the
hidcous act of vandalism committed by
British soldiers in the war of l5l2--the burn
ing Of our public buildings at Washington.
The whole Liberal party would. under Mr.
GLAN,TONEs leadership. rise rs one man
against the prostitution Of Englund's naval
power I" protect the perpetrators OF indig-
Mite, on the United States.
Moreover. evcn II tie Tory leaders were
disposed TO enbroil England in n contro-
velsy with which she has no concern the
rank and Tile OF their own parry would desert
them. There is not n shipowncr. merchant,
or manufacturer In Great Britain who would
not upon reflection recognize that 1t would
be an act of madness to expose his coun-
try's commerce to the assaults OF the
American privateers. which within sixty
days after the outbreak Of war would swarm
upon every ocean. There would BIO an even
weightier objection TO any interference on
Rngland's part with our determination to
maintain the honor OF our flag. In view OF
the deficient crops on tho Continent
OF Europe. the British people would
have to face starvation. II at this
juncture they became engaged In hos
TITLES with the United States. They could
get no grain from Canada. for the food
producing provinces Of the Northwest
would be at once occupied by our soldiers.
No cargoes Of grain could reach British
ports from Indis-our privsteers would
block the way. Under such circumstances
scarcely q month would elapse after a
declaration Of war before England would
witness such food riots as have not been
seen since the days OF the Chartlsts. and
any Ministry refusing the boon Of peace.
when that meant nothing short Of deliv-
GRANGE from famine. would be abruptly
thrust from power.
Finally. the British Foreign ONCE could
by no exercise OF ingenuity find pretext
for interpretation In this Gillian business.
Why7 Because all the precedents for the
stand taken by the American Government
are drawn from British diplomatic history.
An incident stu fresh In remembrance 70