Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-08-28
WEDNESDAY EVENING. AUG. %, 1895
THERE COULD not be a more sense

THERE COULD not be a more sense-
less folly than for the United States to
be needlessly embroiled with France
over ex.C consul Walters case. We doA'G
know much of the merits of the CESS,
and we doubt whether those who de-
desire to precipitate a quarrel know
any more than we do. 1t is hard to
imagine any good reason for Walters
appointment. In all consular and dip,
lomatic appointments it is especially
necessary that the appointee should be
q representative American. Mr.. Har-
rison and Mr.. Cleveland, and alt other
Presidents ought to know that the se-
lection OF negroes for such positions is
not favorably viewed abroad. Even
the negroes of San Domingo resented
the appointment by the United States
of a negro Minister. Other nationalities
are annoyed by such selections, and
construe the appointment as q lack OF
proper consideration and respect. 1t
has the same effect as if France or
Great Britain, or Spain-all having
many Afcican suhjects-shculd accredit
,ne of them as Consul at New York,
Philadelphia, or New Orleans. Wal
ler's principal qualifications for his Of
fee seem to have consisted in med.
ding with quarrels and wars that did
not C him or the United States,
and in speculations. 1t is needless to
say that the policy Of this country Is
adverse to speculations and even COM
mercial business by its agents abroad.
and this rule is founded on obvious
reasons. fit be permitted to trade and
speculate, the temptationi is great for the
consul to employ the power and infu-
ence of his government to promote his
private interests and to injure his rivals
in trade. Anyone who has the slight
est knowledge Of American history is
aware that the struggle for indepenc-
enoe was q long anda very doubtful one
until France gave us her powerful aid.
She did it in no stinted manner. TO her
help we owe the crowniDg victory Of
the war at Yorktown. France is u
traditional ally and friend. She has
no rival interests or policy to u own.
Neither does she come 10 conflict with
our just aspirations. England is III
rival at every turn, and W. are never
without some diplomatic question or
other with this power. It is true that
in the grab game of the great powers of
Europe, England, Germany and
France, for the possession of Afrioa, there
has arisen a great deal of friction, but
that does not concern US. The British
press seems to have envied with un-
concealed bitterness the progress Of
French arms in Madagascar. They
have not ventured to resist it, but just
new they are egging on the row or
semblance of row between the United
States and France over the Waller case.
Surely we have something better to do
than to pull England's chesnuts from
the fire. 1t is not likely that in the
near future we shall ever have a serious
cause of quarrel with France. There
is every reason for a lasting friendship
between nations so warmly and honor
ably associated in the past. But if we
are to adopt a lingo policy in respect of
France, it is we'll to count the cost. The
naval power of France is grand and i'm
posing. 1t is, probably, five times as
great as our own. Russia is her close
ally by sea- and by land as against Eng
land or Germany. These two great
combinations are watching one another
closely. Our true policy is an honor
able peace with them all. There is no
trouble whatever in having such o re-
lation with France and Russia. and if
we have e quarrel with either il will
not be because either Of these powers
desires it with US. They want to be
our friends, and we ought to meet them
more than half way.