New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
REGARD FOR FOREIGN FEELING.

Just AT this time when the United States Ia
face TO face with the possibility or new anu
delicate foreign relations when the war with
| Spain necessarily arouses in Europe hostile
sentiments among those who for dynastic or
political reasons sympathizc with Spain or think
| they see menace in American policy. Ii IS
well TO avoid any action which would unneces-
sarily rritate European commerce and embit-
ter feelings now only sentimental or political
by transforming them into personal grievance.
Especially should we be careful not TO give
those who sympathize with us and wish MS
success any 0cca sion for cOldness through in
jury 10 their interests.
Such considerations should have great weight
in deciding on the wisdom of the tonnage-taX
provision If the revenue bill as ii passed the
House of Representatives That feature has
been eliminated in the Senate Committee, and
1t will probably not be in the bill as II leaves
the Senate. There may be disposition to in
sis on this tax In the House. and endeavors to
restore 1t in conference. but we think 1t ex-
treinely doubtful II the revenue to be realized
by II would compensate for the excuse-bad
though II might be-which would be given TO
the unfrendly on the Continent OF Europe for
any enmity which on other accounts they might
wish TO display while not wishing 10 reveal the
real reason A tonnage tax Is Of course
perfectly legitimate levy. If OF reasonable pro-
portions no nation can object TO 1t in time of
peace We could not for moment admit for
egn interference with our right of taxation,
and should, If we entered upon any such method
of raising revenue he obliged in self-respcct 10
assert our right to make our own laws but
such Independence does not preclude us from
consulting foreign feelings and susceptlbIlitcs
for the sake Of our own policy and best inter
ests.
Particularly when are threae with the
necessity Of an imperial policy must we take
worldwide views. We cannot say don't
care for abroad II our rule is to extend be-
yond our own continent We must not let
petty things interfere with great interests. and
II we are to he Power in the East and we
may have TO be whether we want 10 be or not
one Of our chief interests Is friends. We are
strong enough and big enough TO maintain our
rights in the Philippines or anywhere else. and
we do not need to 90 hunting alliances. But
far better way Of maintaining our position in
the world than relying cur might is by cIl-
tvating goodwill, so that the prcponderant
sentiment Of the world is with rather than
against us. Our best alliance Is the friendship
Of all those. men and nations, who work for
higher civilization and more cordial human re-
latOns.
In holding such place Of peaceful power there
can be no doubt that English sympathy can be
of the greatest assistance. and we should do
nothing TO dampen the ardor Of English friend
ship As England has larger commerce with
Us than any other nation her merchants and
ship-owncrs would he the principal sufferers
from any tonnage tax on foreign vessels. II
would be a small thing. but It Is the small
thing which makes the difference between sat
isfacion and irritation and for small thing
there Is no use of annoying large body OF
our natural friends. We can well get along
without the revenue from the tonnage tax.
Our war is in the interest Of civilization. Let
us bear the expense Of It ourselves and not seek
to make the subjects Of other nations pay for
II. Particularly. let not DO when we
should lay the heaviest contribution on our own
best friend among the nations. the people TO
whom we look not 10 aid our interests, but to
be one with us for liberty and right.