The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-14
TILDEN'S SAY IN "a.
Hitherto Unpublished Letter on Che
Annexation Of Cuba.
THE RECENT cHILDs EXPEDITION
Causing Some Concern at the
State Department.

WASHINGTON, juno 1f.-The New YORK
Evening Post prints letter from Samuel
j. Tilden 10 Secretary of State Marcy,
dated Nov. a7, 1854, and never before pub
lished, protesting against the jingoism of
that time.
Cuban annexation was then n popular
cry. The ministers Of the United States
at London, Paris and Madrid, acting un-
der instructions 10 confer on the question
Of Cuba, met at 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 seizing it, Mr. Tilden
said:
hope the presidents message will be In
tone of sound conservatism as respects our
foreign relations, which, while observant Of
our rights and dignity, will quiet tho public
mind here and remove apprehension abroad.
This IL what the existing state of feeling and
opinion in this country peculiarly demands ut
this time. The people have had surfet 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 10 enter upon
any projects Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or specially
indulge our vanity. The very severe crisis
through which the bu iness Of the country Is
passing induces a sober look. Even the Mon.
roe doctrine, which is excellent II We could
only agree what 10 is, IL IL 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 20 see
somebody snub Soule or even good natured
Mason or staid and cautious and respectable
buchanan. ha all ~ ha
true American doctrine in regard TO Euro, can
affairs, the doctrine OF fnon-intervention In their
domestic concerns, of fair and honest friend
ship with all the powers and enlarging alli-
ances with none OF them. As they are NJ war,
and each side naturally seeks our sympathy,
such declaration would be well timed.
Our position in respect 10 Spain and to fiji.
clustering as well, / presume, will be stated,
and our policy vindicated. Excuse me in the
uttcrance so frankly of my thoughts. IL is
only the observation OF the public opinion
from different standpoint, and II is my
licitude that you may have all the clements of
Judgment well for the country's sake IA
Tor yours that INDUCES me To add my mite.
Is Uncle Sam Responsible?
II the steamer George Childs. Gs alleged,
has carried from the United States a sup
ply of munitions OF war and armed men
TO aid the rebels in Cuba, the incident may
raise grave question rs 10 the responsi-
bility of our government
On the statement Of facts, as reported 10
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.
IL 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 10 put forth all proper effort to detain
the ship for in that ease the courts made
the point that the Itata expedition did not
originate in the United States and was
simply "a merchant vessel coming from a
foreign country and receiving aboard a
load of merchandise.
While IL 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 tho
Childs case, however, the vessel was under |
The United States flag and practically tho |
expedition originated in this country.
IL Is said that our government was duly |
advised Of tho intended departure Of the |
Child expedition, though whether the ad- |
iices were in themselves sufficient to make |
up prima facie case justifying the arrest |
If the parties or the detention of the yes
el, under the terms of our own law. can
lot be learned.
BY the terms Of the treaty Of Washing
on, the United States bound Great Britain
md itself TO the doctripe that q nation is
'ound To use due diligence to prevent
he departure of armed expeditions against
friendly nation. This raises the point
whether the United States can be held to
ave exercised due diligence in the mat.
er If IL required the Spanish officials TO
urnish absolute proof of the nature of the
xpedition, or whethor it should not bestir
self to secure the necessary evidence upon
being supplied TO show that
he departure Of the expedition Is probable.
II the latter view is taken, il would seem
, follow that through the instrumental
y of the secret service OF the treasury tho
overnment might easily obtain sufficient
1dence To break up quickly the organiza-
on of hostile movements in this country
lrectcd against Spain, and upon the de-
sion Of the administration as to its duty |
! this matter undoubtedly hinges the
lccess or defeat Of the cause Of the Cuban
'bels, for il is not believed that it can
icceed without substantial aid from SYM