The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-24

exton sive portion OF our present domain which
includes California aud New Mexico. and tho
areas eastwardly 10 Texas and tho older Louis
iaua purchase. But the magnificent Pacific arch
which destiny was preparing for this nation
was halted by the rape OF the Keystone, now
British Columbia, and that Great Britain knows
II to be the Keystone sho avows 10y erecting II
our doorstep. across the strait at E-auimlt.
one OF the greatest fortresses ever erected by
any nation In any land. And lot every Amer
lean ask himself the question; fOI rhonS
II you will bear with me o littlo longer | will
revert to the diplomacy OF the Maine BOUNDARY
settlement. but only 10 call rs n witness
Joshua /. Chamberlain. the distinguished
former President Of BOwdoin College, with a
single quotation:
Tho difficulties Of the northeastern boundary had
increased with each year since the treaty OF 1883.
Great Britain Lad gradually obtained possession OF
considerable territory within the line claimed by
the States under tho treaty. and, after the War If
1912, laid claim TO territory which hal long been
under tho actual jurisdiction OF Massachusetts,,
The question assumed national aud International
importance. The Government Of the United states,
apparently dosirous Of gratifying Great Britain.
offered Maine l ,2Op,0 900 acres ct land in Michigan to
yield its claim; but that proposition only raised
b''h'"' "a ''' 'NAN' "'N - ''
the sending Of a military force 10 defend It's terri.
tory. Finally, however. considerations Of national
policy urged At Washington induced Maine to
acquiesce In the treaty, which took away a large
area additional TO that already silently yielded,
amounting, in all, to $500 square miles; an area
greater by 900 square miles than the State Of Con-
necticut, and by 1850 square miles than the States
Of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
Thus doth history repeat itself. Thus is
illustrated the consistency through time and
the centuries Of the diplomatic lanl-grabbing
methods Of Great Britain. Her conduct in
Honduras. despite the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.
and her entertainments on Venezuelan terri
tory will arise In the minds of the present gem
Grafton az latter-day pictures And yet. not
withstanding the lessons Of history. we heard
the voics OF Lord Salisbury speaking to US
about the Venezuelan controversy almost as
yesterday; 1T is difficult to soc what practical
concern IL is Of the United States"
Spain having been driven from Mexico, Gen.
trail and South America by the Inhabitants
thereof: having relinquished Florida to US In
1870: having IN 1900 returned to France the
territory Of Louisiana which she acquired from
her In 17bH. and having Just been expelled
from the last Of her island possessions in this
hemisphere; France having lost Acadia. now
Lower Canada. and having sold to US in 1903
the territory Of Louisiana, after three years
possession having accepted our warning to
get out of Mexico in 1855. and her possessions
being now limited to French Guiana in
South America. and q few islands near
Newfoundland. in tho West Indies; Russia
having with friendly intent passed 20 our SOW
erelgnty at a nominal consideration the mag
niilcent domain of Alaska. are We not brought
back by this process OF elimination TO the text
Of this letter: rs not England the only menace
TO our peace and ~safetyf' None Of the powers
named is going to question our primary on
this continent, or to run counter TO the Monroe
Doctrine. Doubtless the German Emperor
would Tx to run his sword through it. and II
he can have his way about the new German
navy, while We sit and dream about ours. he
might venture to try conclusions with ug rs to
South America sone time next century.
But Is it not Great Britain that studiously
puts herself in the way Of our national develop
ment2 The danger from her will show itself
In Its FIRST symptoms, in a shrewd, far-reach-
ing diplomacy. ever seeking to tie our hands,
to bind our feet with log chains, n
wet our powder and spike cur guns,
10 Ill our ears with honeyed oratory Of kinshir
and the thick meas OF blood over water, and to
blind our eyes with the dazzling splendor Of a
partnership in the looting Of the world under
the ~specious plea Of carving a colonial civiliza-
ton to the uttermost parts Of the EARTH
Beware Of the gift. bearin Greeks.
GEORGE W. DITHRIDGE.
NEW YoRH. March 18.