The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-05-11
THE POLICY OF ISOLATION.

1t is authoritatively announced that
the policy of the United States govern
ment in the China-Japan complica-
tions will be that of isolation so far as
alliances are concerned, but not one OF
non-interference, says the Inter Ocean,
The administration has notified the
European governments who were par
ties to the present controversy that
this government will maintain it's ira
ditional attitude except in so far as il
may exercise influence in the interest
of governments friendly to the United
States. There seems to be definite
understanding of the position of the
several European powers as well as
of the position of the United States
1t should be remembered, however,
that the traditional policy of non-in.
reference in European affairs has
never been followed so far as Asiatic
nations are concerned. From the time
of the first visit of Commodore Perry
to Japan the United States has exer-
cised great influence in the Orient, al
ways in friendly way, and has done
this without protest from any European
or Asiatic power.
1t seems to be conceded that the in
terests of the United States. it's posi-
tion as one of the great powers border
ing on the Pacific, it's natural trade re-
lations with Japan and China, give it
precedence in an advisory way in ia
pan and China. This has been recog-
nized in the treaties, and the friendli-
ness of the relationship was empha-
sized in the visit of General Grant
when he made his tour around the
sponsiveness has grown in the last
twenty or thirty years into what may
be called settled policy. The admins
tration should simply follow in the line
of this policy and should advance
rather than retreat from the line fixed
by China and Japan themselves.
There is no need to form an alliance
with any other power. 1t is not to be
supposed that the United States will
ally itself with Russia or Germany or
with England, but it may with proprie-
ty act always the part of mediator or
adviser, and there is no doubt that if
this government takes the position
that Japan as well as China shall be
treated fairly in the final adjustment
it will be able to exercise as great in
fluence as any European power.
In taking such position the United
States will be unselish, and as British
statesmen as well as Russian diplomats
admit the right of the United States
to advise there will be no danger of
any serious complications outside of
the question at issue. 1t would not be
good policy for the United States to
form an alliance with England in the
interest of Japan, because the British
government is influenced by selfish
motives, and it certainly would not be
well for the government to act with
Russia, because that power is looking
mainly to Russian interests and not to
the interests of Japan, China or Amer
lea. AS soon as the formal reply of
Japan to the protests of Russia, Ger
many and France is made public the
real issue will come to the front.
There has been within the last two
weeks SO much maneuvering for posi-
tion, so much dust-throwing, that it
has been impossible to correctly define
the real situation in it's relations to
the European powers. When the
definite statement of Japan is before
the public long step will have been
aken toward the settlement of affairs.