SENATOR SHERMAN ON FOREIGN POLITICS.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 122, 20 April 1897, Page 4

SENATOR SHERMAN ON FOREIGN POLITICS.

The Washington correspondent of tli ■■ Times, telegraphing under date March '2nd, says : It may be regretted that Mr M'Kinley did not arrive in Washington a clay sooner, or that an Ohio dinner to Senator Sherman was not a day later, or that Mr Sherman himself had given heed to Lord Salisbury's remark on the advantage of dumbness in a Foreign Minister. The m\v Secretary of State made a speech last evening to his fellew-citizcns of Ohio which gives some hint of the temper in which lie will enter upon his new duties. He spoke with praise of the policy pursued by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, of which he himself had bem chairman—a policy of jingoism, tempered by timid ty and vacillation, and universally condemned by the best Americana ot all parties. He announced that American citizecs, whether on land or sea, would be protected by the new Administration, which nobody dcubts and everybody will approve. He believes " the time is not far distant when we shall see the republican form of government in every country of the Western Hemis phcrc." Lest there should be any doubt what country he lied particularly in mind he added that "if England had pursued the same policy toward the original 13 colonics which she has since adopted toward Canada there would have been no revolutionary war." This is, probably, in Mr Sherman's mouth no more than the expression of a pious with that Canada should become A republic. It may probably tc interpreted abroad as indicating some purpose, definite or vague, on Mr Sherman's part to preach the republican gospel to his monarchical brethren across the border. It may not be understood how completely this new Minister thinks himself entitled to disregard diplomatic usages. He, however, fails to understand that no European dip'omatist would use such language unless he was prepared to follow it up by some act or diplomatic effort. Mr Sherman certainly has; no such intention. 'Jhe proof that ho has not and that his language means nothing is supplied by his declaration of a belief that " the time is not far distant when the leading nations of Europe will a'l follow the lead of France in the adoption of popular government." Such is his acquaintance with the actual condition of things among the Great Powers of Europe with whom he is now to enter upon diplomatic business. Sir Sherman's feeling towards England need not, I think, be judged from the single sentence 3n which lie " thanks Cod for the folly and blindness of England which drove our forefathers to revolt." That may revive old memories of enmity anil stir old animosities ; but again Mr Sherman fails to measure the dilhrence between the language which a private individual may Use harmlessly, but which/ iu the mouth of a Foreign Minister sounds like a menace. He has in him something of the jiTigO, but nobody will respect him if meaning what any European Minister wcnM be supposed to mean by phrases so inflammatory. Mr Hanua was present at this dinner, but refrained from laying a sing'c word which could be cods'rued as approval ot Mr Sherman'!) imprudence, 1 have referred before now to Mr Haima's conservatism as an index to the probable conservatism of the new Administration. Another piece of evidence may be found in the declarations of Coventor Alger, Secretaiy for War. ITo, too, has expressed himself a.; convinced that a policy of moderation in all great mat en will be: adopted and carried out with liinniess. He thinks the new Hrc-ide-nt moderate and resolved to impose moderation on others. He sets his feot on jingci-.ru. What Mr Alger said before Mr Sherman spoke may 1 e taken as sharp criticism on Mr Sherman's attitude'. Mr Alger's testimony has this peculiar value, that hi' is io.t himM'lfa man to originate a policy or in din .-i or i von strongly to inlluciu:.: 11 ni i i the (Wa ei iiiiii nl in w hit h lrholds a,i impcitunl place. ITo i> hut an echo, and in the present instance he is cei t 'inly an echo of Mr McKinley, whom Ik haa had lull opportunity to coumlt.