Such is the view which England takes of this subject.  The statesmen of England and France contemplate with alarm the rapid growth of Russia, and yet know not how to arrest its progress.  They see the Russian tzars, year after year, annexing new nations to their territory, and about all they can do is to remonstrate.  All agree that the only effectual measure to check the growth of Russia is to prevent her from taking possession of the Dardanelles.  To accomplish this, England and France are endeavoring to bind together the crumbling and discordant elements of Ottoman power, to infuse the vigor of youth into the veins of an old man dying of debauchery and age.  But the crescent is inevitably on the wane.  The doom of the Moslem is sealed.

There are four great nations now advancing with marvelous strides in the appropriation of this globe to themselves.  Russia has already taken possession of one seventh of the world’s territory, and she needs now but to annex Turkey in Europe and Turkey in Asia to complete her share.  France is spreading her influence throughout southern Europe, and, with a firm grasp, is seizing the provinces of northern Africa.  England claims half of the islands of the ocean, boasts that the sun never sets upon her dominions, and has professed that the ocean is her private property.  Her armies, invincible, sweep the remotest plains of Asia, removing and setting down landmarks at her pleasure.  Her advances are so gigantic that the annexation of a few thousand leagues, at any time, hardly attracts attention.  America is looking with a wistful eye upon the whole of North and South America, the islands of the Caribbean Sea and the groups of the Pacific.[31]

[Footnote 31:  The jealousy of the leading nations in regard to their mutual encroachments is amusingly illustrated in an interview between Senator Douglas and Sir Henry Bulwer in reference to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty.  An article was inserted in this treaty by the English government, binding both England and America not to colonize, annex or exercise any dominion over any portion of Central America.  Sir Henry argued that the pledge was fair and just since it was reciprocal, England asking no more than she was ready herself to grant.

“To test your principle,” said Senator Douglas, “I would propose an amendment of simply two words.  Let the article read, ’Neither England nor the United States will ever colonize any part of Central America or Asia.’”

The British minister exclaimed, in surprise, “But you have no colonies in Asia.”

“True,” replied the United States Senator, “neither have you any colonies in Central America.”

“But,” rejoined Sir Henry, “you can never establish your government there, in Asia.”

“No,” Mr. Douglas replied, “neither do we intend that you shall plant your government here, in Central America.”]