YENEZUELA.
328
Office
;
an organisation which could barely be tolerated in
1782, but which
is
so unsuited for the present time that
nothing but the intense ignorance and consequent
indif-
ference of the general public regarding
being
it,
allows of
its
maintained for a moment. But, though
all
that
is
known cannot be
told,
unless
mider due authorisation, one great cause of the decay of British influence in foreign countries, and especially with reference to the recovery of debts
owed by the Governments
of those countries to British subjects, can be pointed out.
This its
is,
that the
Enghsh Government
gratuitously parades
determination not to enforce the claims of
Now, whatever the
intentions of a claimant
subjects.*
its
may
be,
it
is
surely very miAvise to proclaim beforehand that resort will
not be had to ulterior measures.
up a
It is like putting
board to warn trespassers that they will not be prosecuted.
Such a course may be declared going at
all
of a debt
quite unreasonable, without
into the question whether is justifiable
war
by international law, or
regarded only as a matter of discretion. a course adopted
is
for the recovery
by Government
m
But
is
to be
the fact
is, it
order to stand well
with Parliament and the general public, who, from selfish motives, are opposed to such expenditure as a war necessitates for the recovery of the property of a comparatively
small
they *
number
may be
of persons.
indemnified
" ? "
Why
should we be taxed that
the thought that pervades
is
This extreme candour amounts to almost touting for injuries, and reminds
one of Jack in the Tale of the Tub, who
would stand in the turning of a and calling to those who passed by, would cry to one, Worthy, sir, do me the honour of a good slap in the chaps.' " It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that the remarks here made are intended to apply to the traditional '
'
*
street,
policy of the Foreign Office, not to that of the Ministers
now
in power.