New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-28
AMERICAS FLAG ABROAD.
Unlike THAT OF ENGLAND IT AFFORDS
NO PROTECTION TO ITS CITIZENS
LORD PALMERsTON's POLICY
AND ITS RESULTS

AND ITS RESULTS.
Among the many strange features of the for
eign policy Of the United States during the last
few years. there has been nothing more incom-
prehensihle TO foreigners than the neglect on
tie rart of the Executive at Washington to in
sist upon proper respect being paid by the Span
,sh authorities to the rights and privileges of
American citizens in Cuba. American property
In that beautiful island has been destroyed with
out either cause or compensation. American
Industries there have been wiped out Of exist
ence American trade ruined. and worst OF all.
American citizens imprisoned without trial and
even put to death by the Spanish authorities
without any serious intervention in their behalf
by their Government. 1t is possible that re-
nnonstrances have been presented from time to
time to the Minister Of Foreign Affairs at
Madrid But that they have been weak and al
together inadeouate-in one word unworthy Of
the power and prestige of this great country-is
abundanty manifest from the manner In which
American property continues to be destroyed
and American citizens continue TO be jailed and
slaughtered without interruption.
The Spanish authorities in Cuba appear to
believe that they can matrcat Americans with
perfect impunity. and It is a somewhat sgnif-
cant fact that although there are large German,
Italian, French and English interests In the
colony. they do not seem to have suffered TO any
extent. save from the paralyzng OF trade and
Industry due to the instruction At any rate
there is nothing known of German or English
property having been destroyed wantonly, or of
German or English citizens being imprisoned
without trial on mere suspicion and done to
death. as mas happened in the case Of the UNI
fortunate Dr. Ruiz who a citizen Of the
United States.
That such condition of affairs this is cal
culated to anger and exasperate people in This
country is only natural, and under the circum-
stances ii is possible to make allowances Tor
men who. boiling with Indignation at the shock
ing sights which they have Witnessed in Cuba
and at the inaction of the authorities at WASH
tngton in behalf of their countrymen on the
island declare that they considering the ad-
Visibility Of securing English naturalization IN
order to get themselves respected abroad. IN
palatable though the truth may be TO Amerl-
cans there is no doubt that at the present mo-
roent English. German or French citizenship
carries greater weight in foreign countries, and
obtains infinitely more consideration and respect
than that Of the United States. This Is not be-
cause the latter is in any way inferior in power
and rank to England or TO Germany-on the
contrary, America surpasses the latter, at any
,ate in size population and wealth-but solely
bacause II is known that the Governments OF
GERMANY and particularly Of Great Britain. are
ready at all times to champion the rights OF
their respective citizens, and that an outrage
perpetrated on any one of the latter. for whlch
Immediate reparation Is refused is likely to re-
suit In war.
IN ROMAN DAYS.
I'm olden days--in the times OF the Caesars
the three significant words "Civis Romanus
sum- or am a Roman citizen), were all that
mae necessary TO insure Difference and respect
20 the man who uttered them. no matter whether
ne found himself in Palestine, in Gaul' on the
banks of the Danube. where King Charles OF
Runoania now rules. in Spain. The great
English statesman, Pitt, and after him Loro
palrnerston. than whom no English Minister
has ever enjoyed to a greater degree the afection
and goodwill on the part of classes and masses
~ his fellow countrymen. adapted this proud
pornsn boast TO modern British USE and made
= the keynote of their foreign policy. Especially
was this the case with Lord Palmerston, VINO
did not hesitate TO express the opinion, even IN
public that 1t was the duty OF the Enghsh "oV
eminent to stand by its citizens whenever they
cot into difficulty abroad no matter whether
they were In the right or in the wrong lime
enough to straighten out that part OF the ques-
ton afterward," he argued. But we nave so'
HYPOTHESIS
IS necessarily in the right, and that his cause
ts deserving Of our championship.
From the point of view of equity and justice
This was probably wrong But far as patriot
ism was concerned, 1t was all right 1t appealed
% tho heart OF every British citizen throughout
@,a vset Empire OF Queen Victoria. endowed
then, with additional backbone. energy ana
rIuch and increased their holiness ana thelr
ENTERPRISE. since each one Of them was aoie 10
feel that he had az his back the immense rec
sources and the vast force OF MS GoVerhheii''
ord that the latter would be ready at any and
every moment TO come 10 his assistance 10 oe
Tend his cause and 10 extricate him. II heeo De-
OF the point Of the sword from any scrape OF
difficulty into which he might have lanoed MINI
se,, II made Englishmen proud Of being able
IN describe themselves such, and moreover
caused them TO be treated abroad with greater
aa,ree of respect by the authorities than any
o,her foreigner since IL was known that Loro
1oalrnerston would at once, without moment
delay. demand reraration and redress for any
wrong or indignity placed upon one OF his coun-
trymen.
A SOURCE OF ENGLISH PRESTIGE.
That was the source OF "Old PANS" strength
both at home and abroad, and the fact remains
,ba, England never enjoyed so much prestge IN
foreign countries az she did when he was at the
helm OF the Ship Of State. He has been oeao
now many years; but his policy In TINS respect
at any rate. is sun adhered to- though IN per-
haps a slightly modified degree, and 1t is worthy
of note that since the war Of 1870 Germany mas
fguratively speaking. taken copy OF this pal
ticu!ar leaf out Of Great Britain's booK since ~
Is known throughout Africa, the orient anu '"e
regions Of the Pacific ocean that any lnoishity
placed upon a German citizen is al once ioi-
lowed by the appearance upon the scene OF Ger
man nnen-of-war. for the purpose Oh eXac'ihs
immediate reparation.
One has only to look through the Iohs "'' u