The true northerner., 1897-01-06

De Firm, Vigorous and Dtgnihed-Pres-
ident McRsniey's Opportunity.
The portions of the Republican plat
form adopted at st. Louis treating Of
our foreign relations received very little
attention during the campaign. as they
were overshadowed by the monetary and
tariff questions. but they are none the
less binding and operative and will be
likely to shaps the foreign policy OF the
new administration.
Under the head Of foreign relations"
it is declared that "our foreign policy
should be at all times firm, vigorous
and dignified. and all our interests in
the western hemisphere carefully
watched and guarded.
This was quite significant in view Of
the Venezuelan and Cuban complica-
tions then pending. But the platform
goes on to particularize and says:
1.-The Hawaiian Islands should be
controlled by the United States, and no
foreign power should be permitted to
interfere with them.
1.-THE Nicaraguan canal should be
built. owned and operated by the Unit
ed States, and by the purchase of the
Danish islands we should secure prop
er and much needed naval station in
the West Indies.
In regard to Cuba, acquisition is not
directly advocated, but it is declared
that 1.-The government of the United
States should actively use its good offices
and influence to restore peace and give
independence to the island. Independ-
ence secured through 1.-The good offices"
Of the United States would be almost
sure to be followed in time by annexa-
tion.
Thus we have a policy of expansion
that will be binding upon the Republic
an administration and congress First,
the acquisition Of the Danish islands by
purchase; next, the control, which
means the ultimate acquisition, of Ha-
waii, and next the independence of
Cuba, which is likely to result in an.
nexation.
The acquisition of the Danish islands,
consisting Of st. Thomas, st. John and
Santa Cruz, was advocated during the
administration Of Abraham Lincoln. In
1860 Admiral Porter made report to
the president, in which he said
"St. Thomas lies right in the track
Of all vessels from Europe. Brazil. the
East Indies and the Pacific ocean bound
to the West Indies or the United States.
1t is the point where all vessels touch
for supplies when needed coming from
any Of the above stations. 1t is a central
point from which any or all Of the West
Indian islands can be assailed, while it
Is impervious TO attack from landing
parties and can be fortified to any ex-
tent st. Thomas is small Gibraltar
of itself and could not be attacked by q
naval force. There is no harbor in the
West Indies better than st Thomas for
a naval station. In fine, St. Thomas is
the keystone to the arch of the West In
dies. a"
The enthusiasm with which Admiral
Porter wrote shows that in his eyes the
possession of these islands was of exceed
ing Importance TO the United States.
They were important then, and they are
no less important now. 1t will be a
feather in the cap of President Mckinley
if the acquisition which was defeated in
Lincolns s administration is accomplish.
ed in his.
Subsequent to the reception of the
Porter report our government made an
offer Of So, 900, 900 for the islands Den-
mark wanted $l5, 900, but finally
consented to take $1,000, 900 for st.
Thomas and ST. John. The consent Of
the people Of the islands was obtained,
treaty was executed and ratified at
Copenhagen, but owing to factionAl
opposition 1t was negatively reported in
the United States senate and thus failed.
II these islands are acquired in pur.
suanoe Of the recommendation of the
Republican platform, we may expect te
see such acquisition the starting point
of policy Of expansion that will make
this country first class naval power.
1t will no doubt be followed by the an.
nexation of Hawaii and ultimately
Cuba.