THE POSITION OF AMERICA IN THE PRESENT CRISIS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1878, Page 4

THE POSITION OF AMERICA IN THE PRESENT CRISIS.

An American paper has the following: — "The proposition of Russia to invite the United States to participate in the congress of nations it has proposed shall assemble (0 settle the issues involved itt the present contest is not one likely to be received with favour by this Government. It is contrary to our whole policy. Its acceptance would constitute a dangerous precedent, and be sure to provoke fierce discussion and opposition. Should a congress assemble, and the United States be asked to send a representative, it will be for the first time in diplomatic history. There is little probability of our accepting. Our interest in any such gathering would be of no practical value. On that ground alone a declinaiion should promptly follow the rrqurst. But the complications to ttrise from our taking an active pait in the quarrels and policies of European Governments would re of the most serious character. A Repub'ic teed?, p r se, to keep as clear as possible from el! such complications. Industrial security, progress from withiD, peace abroad, war, as a rule, only for defence and self preservation, are its prime necessity. We are not only estopped from entering the Rrena by euch consMerntions, but we are praotically prohibited by our geogrnphical position find insolation. P,irticipatiou on our part would be contrary to common sense, and Russia hns no special friendliness, eiiher, in making the proposition. If we acceded, it would hopa to have us as its ally, to all intents und purposes. In the present ami growing aspects of the : csse — T.uikey bring virtually eliminated from the sum — nur sympathies ought not to be with a Power or Powerß representative of extreme autocratic ideas, as against those which are b»?eJ op constitutional and representative . government. We are well aware that there is a sentimental sort of faith in Russ'n entertaiued by Americans. It ie, however, based on the baldest of materialism in politics — an idea of bigness and power only— that autocratic instinct, which aeems to be one consequence of a continental situation anfi control. Vastnees of area is the only fact we share in common with Russia, and that we also have with Chiua. Bui this is, after all, but mere speculation. We shall not accept an invitation to participate in the proposed congress, if it be convened, which is very doubtful. A conference of the Powers, which is what Austria proposed, will be necessarily coufineJ to the Treaty of Paris as a bosip, while a congress can commence de novo. Austria and Great Britain must be strengthened by a limitation of the discussion. Russia would control a larger result, by ignoring the treaty of 1856, and requiring diplomacy to consider the status quo as the basis for new negotiations. In any event, the plain dress coat of an American envoy will not be seeu among the resplendent uniforms and glittering insignia and orders of European Ambassadors.