Question

Cash! Cash! Cash! – Cash paid for cast off territory. . . . Any impoverished monarchs retiring from the colonization business may find a good purchaser by addressing William H. Seward, Post Office, Washington D.C.

–New York Herald Tribune,
April 12, 1867

Which statement reflects the feelings of the New York Herald Tribune toward the Alaska Purchase in 1867?

It was more than the United States could afford.
It was a waste of money.
It was a good business decision.
It was harmful to impoverished monarchs.

Answer 1

It was a good business decision.

The ad-like, upbeat wording ("Cash paid... any impoverished monarchs... may find a good purchaser by addressing William H. Seward") treats the purchase as a straightforward transaction and praises Seward as a buyer.