New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-21
THE REPUBLICAN, RECORD ABROAD.


The Republican party makes a confident ap-
peal to the electors of the United States for a
renewal of its lease Of power in National affairs
on the ground-among others-of the successful
foreign policy Of the present Administration.
That ground IS If shown to be substantial a
legitimate one, and in nOwise open to the re-
proach Of injecting foreign affairs into domestic
politics or Of making the foreign relations Of
the country an issue in a domestic campaign.
We have consistently contended that a broad
distinction should always be observed between
domestic and foreign affairs, and that in the
conduct Of the latter there should be a CONT
nuity OF policy practically unaffected by the
changes and vicssitudes of the former In no
other way can a nation win success in its
diplomacy and command the confidence and re-
spect Of other States. The danger to which that
principle is subjected in a republic is obvious
That it is which first caused monarchical Pow
ers TO view the United States with distrust as
likely to be tickle IN foreign policy, and which
caused the present French Republic to be SINH
larry regarded for years by its neighbors. The
same consideration still leads the more auto
cratic monarchies to look with suspicion upon
their more constitutional and therefore more pop
ular and consequently more variable neighbors.
And 1t must be generally admitted that a strik-
ing object lesson TO this end is presented by
Russia nation which, while 1t has never on
its merits been successful In a single important
war. has for the last century been the most
successful of all nations in diplomacy, through
the unyielding autocracy, conservatism and
seemingly immutable continuity Of its policy in
foreign affairs. 1t would be a fine tribute to
any popular government that amid all it's do
nestle wrangles and revolutions It maintained
so serene a consistency in the face of the outer
I'll &c fTh araic oP
Democratic administration that 1t has won for
itself in international affairs place of dignity,
confidence and influence comparable with that
Of any autocracy Of them all
That, we may well believe is the praise Just
ly due to the present Republican Administra-
ton Of the United States. In token Of this 1t
would be easy to cite long catalogue Of spe-
cfc details. These last three years have been
uncOmmOnly busy years IN the foreign transac-
tons Of this country. They have involved oper-
atoms IN peace and in war, in nearly all parts
Of the world. In some matters this Nation has
been compelled to stand alone all but alone,
against the world; in some 1t has acted in har
monious cooperation with the other Powers,
and in some-and these by no means the least
important-it has exercised n puissant leader
ship, which its fellow sovereigns have been glad
to follow. There is, however, no occasion here
to enumerate details. The truest criterion OF
judgment Is the general standing Of the Nation
and the recognition given to it by foreign Pow
At no time since its earliest years has the
United States failed to command a certain de-
gree of respect abroad That is quite true.
Equally true is II that never has that degree
been greater and higher than at the present
time. Indeed, may say 1t was never before
quite great and high as it is now. Never
before was this country's friendship so eagerly
desired and its displeasure so scrupulOusly
avoided. Never before was its title TO full
vote If international councils so unhesitatingly
recognized. Note the dominant part IL played
in the Peace Congress at The Hagus the ready