New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-15
SOME FOREIGN VIEWS.

The certain cOldescenSiOn in foreigners OF
which Mr.. Lowell wrote so trenchantly seems
wellngh as persistent as original sin. Some
times for n space concealed 1t crops out on the
slightest provocation. and In n crisis like the
present It fourishes like n green bay tree That
the Spanish press. and even commanding Span
ish statesmen, should resort TO the proverbal
practice of beaten litigarts and abuse the oppos-
ing attorney was to be expected and not alto
gether deprecated. Insults from the pnrtisans
Of Weyler and MarOte are the highest compli-
ments that could he desired by any nation that
does not wage war by numbering children and
violating women. But that serious journals In
enlightened countries should abandon argument
for raing-well, 1t IS to be accepted with some
wonderment that such authorities should make
such exhibitions Of themselves, and with good
humored forbearance, just because It Is really
not worth while to disturb ones eQuanimity over
It. Better far Is It to keep the nerves calm and
the liver in good working order.
II 1t were not pity 10 see representatives, OF
great nations so stultifying themselves. In their
querulous carping. II would be vastly entertain
ing. One might wonder, for example. why any
rational man should have acq,uesced in Russia's
forcible Intervention In the domestic affairs Of
the Turkish Empire in 1877, and should now OBJ
jcct to this country's Intervention In Cuba,
under UNNECESSARILY stronger provocaton and
more urgent need. Russia interviewed then to
restore peace and order and to stop the barbara
ties Of war, although Turkey was making far
better progress toward suppressing the rebellion
and was doing 1t far more humanely than Spain
has been doing in Cuba. There is not an argu-
ment in justification Of Russias action that does
not apply with equal force to that Of the United
States Yet Russian papers that uphold the for
mer as Just and right are denouncing the latter
In Incorporate terms
Or take the case OF Crete. 1t is a Turkish
province as much as Cuba Is a Spanish colony.
part of its people rebelled against the mpe
rial Government. The latter undertook TO re-
ducc them to order by methods far more effec-
tive and humane than those Of Spain In Cuba.
But the Powers interviewed and sent their fleets
to prevent Turkey from settling her own domes-
tic affairs. They agreed. in solemn concert,
that in so doing they were acting with all posi-
BILE regard for international law and for the re-
quirements of diplomatic etiquette. But when
the United States proposes to act similarly in
the case Of Cuba there are those who hold up
hands in horror at the illcgality and discOurtesy
of the act. Truly. these be fellows Of infinite
Jest!
1t was not long ago that the Chancellor Of the
British Exchequer declared It was Great Brit
aims intention to continue her Intervention In
the domestic affairs Of China, even should need
be, at cost Of war with all the world. That ut
terance was received In every Chancellerie Of
Europe as an entirely proper one. emitting its
maker TO higher esteem than ever as brave,
dgnled and courteous statesman. But when
the President OF the United States announces
the intention Of this country to intervene in
Cuba on exactly similar grounds there Is n
shaking OF heads and Struggling Of shoulders
at the "crudeness' Of our "shirt.sleevcs dlplo-
macy" Why? Gentle shepherd, tell me whyY
On the whole. 1t Is chiefly dlvertng Our Eu-
ropean criticasters may may not he in ear
nest. 1t really does not matter. Their carp
ings will provoke In this country only smiles Of
amusement. Or II they should become more
than earnings this Nation Is ready at any time
to match Talleyrand with Monroe, Meter
mich with Seward. For nothing in human az
fairs Is more certain than that this Nation will
pursue the couxse dictated hT It, walfarA hy