Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-14
FINE POINT AT ISSUE.
Is Uncle Sam Responsible For the
Childs Cuban Expedition?
An Interesting Letter of Two
Score Years Ago
In Which Samuel J. Tilden Plainly Expressed
His Views Of "Ingoism.'

WASHINGTON, June 14.-If tho steamer
George Childs, rs alleged, has carried from
the United States supply of munitions
of war and armed men to aid the rebels in
Cuba, the incident may raise grave ques-
ton us to the responsibility Of our govern
ment.
On the statement of facts, as reported to
our officials, the case bears a strong re-
semblance to the celebrated Alabama af-
fair, which cost the British government
many millions of dollars to settle.
1t cannot be said that the decision Of the
United States courts in the Itata case fits
this and would justify our officials in fail
ing to put forth all proper effort to detain
the ship, for In that case the courts made
the point that the Itata expedition did not
originate In the United States and was
simply a merchant vessel coming from
foreign country and receiving aboard a
load of merchandise.
While 1t Is true this load consisted of
arms, under our construction of interna-
tional law these were goods which may
be sold and shipped to any party. In the
Childs case, however, the vessel was under
the United States flag and practically the
1t Is said that our government was duly
advised of the intended departure of the
Child expedition, though whether the ad-
vices were in themselves sufficient to make
up prima facie case justifying the arrest
of the parties or the detention Of the yes
sci, under the terms Of our own law, can
not he learned.
BY the terms of the treaty of Washing
A. 80 ttoiv
and itself to the doctrine that q nation is
bound to use "due diligence" to prevent
the departure of armed expeditions against
a friendly nation. Til raises the point
whether the United States can be held to
have exercised due diligence in the mat
ter If it required the Spanish officials to
furnish absolute proof of the nature Of the
expedition, or whether 1t should not bestir
itself to secure the necessary evidence upon
information being supplied to show that
the departure of the expedition is probable.
If the latter view is taken, it would seem
to follow that through the Instrumental
ity of the secret service of the treasury the
government might easily obtain sufficient
evidence to break up Quickly the organiza-
tion of hostile movements in this country
directed against Spain, and upon the de-
in this matter. undoubtedly hinges the
success or defeat of the cause of the Cuban
rebels for it is not believed that it can
succeed without substantial aid from SYM
pathizers in the United States.
A Letter Of Interest.
The New York Evening Post prints
letter from Samuel ]. Tilden to Secretary
of State Marcy dated Nov. 81 1854, and
never before published, protesting against
the jingoism of that time.
Cuban annexation was then popular
cry. The ministers Of the United States
at London, Paris and Madrid, acting un-
der instructions to confer on the question
of Cuba, met Mt Ostend, and under the
lead of Soule the minister at Madrid, ad-
vised, in substance, that if Spain should
refuse to sell the island the United States
would be justified in seizMg it. Mr.. Tilden
said
hope the presidents message will be in a
tone of sound conservatism respects our
foreign relations, which, while observant of
our rights and dignity, will quiet the public
mind here and remove apprehension abroad.
This is what the existing state of feeling and
opinion in this country peculiarly demands at
this time The people have had a surfeit of
the cheap popularity that begins in folly and
ends in disgrace
In the present state of the world our policy
is to avoid difficulties with all foreign nations
to leave ourselves to grow, to milk the cow
while Russia is holding her horns and England
and France her legs, and not to enter upon
any projects Of aggrandizement or specially
indulge our vanity The very severe crisis
through which the business Of the country Is
passing induces q sober look Even the Mon
roe doctrine, which is excellent II we could
only agree what it Is, IL 1t won't keep until
next season, might as well come In small doses.
We don't care much now about Austria or
Captain Ingraham, but we would like to see
somebody snub Soule or even good natured
Mason or staid and cautious and respectable
Buchanan. II would be well to repeat the
true American doctrine in regard TO European
affairs the doctrine Of non-intervention in their
domestic concerns, Of fair and honest friend
ship with all the powers and enlarging alli-
snces with none of them. As they are at war
and each side naturally seeks our sympathy,
such declaration would be well timed.
Our position In respect to Spain and to Hli-
clustering as well, presume, will be stated,
and our policy vindicated. Excuse me in the
utteranee no frankly Of my thoughts. II is
only the observation Of the public opinion
from q different standpoint, and IL is my 90
hcitude that you may have all the elements OF
judgment ~ well for tho country's sake az
for yours that induces me 70 add my mite.