The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-18

Prince de Polignac French Ambassador
| in London) and stated to him that 1t was
fit that the two courts should under
stand each other distinctly on the
Spanish American question, it was his
| intention to unfold the views of Great
Britain in an official note to him, the
Prince, or to Sir Charles Stuart, the
British Ambassador at Paris, to be COM
municated to the French Court. "
1t was finally agreed, however, that the
communication should be made orally,
to the Prince, in London. In that in
terview, England declares that she Will
recognize the Independence of the colo
MES in case France should employ force
in and for their subjugation Secondly,
in case Spain herself feverting to her
ancient colonial system, should attempt
to put a stop to the trade of Britain with
those colonies" But Great Britain left
it for France and her allies to guess
what more they might expect from her,
The memorandum Of this conversation
between Mr.. Canning and Prince Pollg-
nae, with a copy of which Mr.. Rush was
furnished, states that he, for France,
admitted that Spain had not remote
chance to recover her colonies, and that
France would not aid Spain in an effort
to re-conquer them. But that France
hoped to see the quarrel made up ami
cably. In a commercial point of view,
France only desired to be placed on the
footing Of the most favored nations.
France "knoWs not what there is to be
recognized as independent; France re-
CARDS all government there as mock
cry"
This opinion of France" was rather
cool, considering that she was then gov
erned by about the fourth dynasty which
had held sway during half the century.
The Prince argued in favor of Euro
pean Congress to settle the Spanish
American question, to which Canning
objected, and referred to the similar
feeling in America. Russia also insisted
upon Congress, but the emphatic OBJ
lection of Great Britain, backed as it
was known to be by the United States,
put an extinguisher upon that favorite
scheme of the Italy Alliance.
Mr. Rush's dispatches reached Wash
ington before the meeting of Congress,
and had the effect of inspiring the mem
orable declaration contained in the Pres
ident's message of December 2, 1928. 1t
is as follows:
"In the wars of the European powers,
in matters relating to themselves, we
have never taken any part, nor does it
comport with our policy so to do. 1t is
only when our rights are invaded, or
seriously menaced, that we resent inju-
ries, or make preparation for our de-
fence. With the movements of this
hemisphere we are of necessity more i'm
mediately connected, and by causes
which must be obvious to all enlightened
and impartial observers. The political
system of the allied powers is essentially
different in this respect from that Of
America. This difference proceeds from
that which exists in their respective
government. And to the defence of our
own, which was achieved by the loss Of so
much blood and treasure, and matured by
the wisdom of their most enlightened cit
izen, and under which we have enjoyed
unexampled felicity, this whole nation
is devoted We owe it, therefore, to
candor, and to the amicable relations
existing between the United States and
those Powers to declare that we should
consider any attempt on their part to
extend their system to any portion of
this hemisphere, as dangerous to our
peace and safety. With the existing
colonies or dependencies of any Euro
pean Power, we have not interfered, and
Shall not interfere. But with the gov
ernments who have declared their indie
pendence, and maintained it, and whose
independence we have, on great consld-
Grafton, and on just principles, ac-
knowledged, we could not view any in
terposition for the purpose of expressing
them. or controlling in any other manner
their destiny, by any European Power,
in any other light than as the NANTES
tatlon of an unfriendly disposition to-
wards the United States. In the war
between those new governments and
Spain, we declared our neutrality at the
time of their recognition, and to this we
have adhered, and shall continue to ad-
here, provided no change shall occur,
which, in the judgment Of the compe-
tent authorities of this government,
shall make a corresponding change on
the part of the United States, indispensa-
BILE to their security"
The last sentence is significant and
1t may be hoped that the high resolve of
our ancestors, seventy two years ago, in
their day of relative feebleness, will not
be allowed to lapse into "innocuous
desuetude" in this day of unexampled
development, and unequaled power.
DANIEL r. GOODLOE.
Hot weather proves depressing to