The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-12

we CONTEND IOr--nay, tney raise tnetr own pfeten'
siens 10 absolute and total sovereignty, whilst they
altogether annlhilate the rights we have practically
enjoyed for more than halt century. Thus, in fact
the question in dispute has never been brought
to true issue, The two quantities have not been
reduced to a common denominations; they differ in
their very nature; and whilst our position not only
admits OF acompromise, but suggests and requires
IT. theirs Is utterly at variance with the FIRST prin-
ciple OF such an arrangement. Mr.. Buchanan's
last note says too much, unless indeed 1t says mad
vertently what is the truth; for the arguments by
which he endeavours to show that the United
States cannot submit their claim to arbitration are
equally cogent to prove that thes claim will not adj
init even OF negotiation. Mr. Buchanan appears to
forget that the ted States have negotiated that
he hmself, by his last proposal, for the fourth or
fifth time conceded,ihat point that the House Of
Representatives, by their second resolution, have IN
fact sanctioned the principle Of negotiation, which
Is, In other words, the principle OF mutual conces-
sion When the American Secretary OF State says
he cannot do what the manifest interest and dignity
OF the two countries require, he must either mean
that the Government to which he belongs will not
do it, or that that Government Is acting under the
compusion of the party, excited to madness on this
question, which carried Mr.. Folks election. The
practical question for il TO ascertain the inten-
ii ms Of the American Government. If Mr.. Polk
and his advisers are sincerely pacific, they cannot
but succeed: there is no obstacle, no impeachment,
no difficulty in the way, except thore which they
with US under such circumstances, they must be
the worst statesmen In the world IT they do not
seek it, OF the most rash and unprlncipled, IT they
deliberately intend i The time is, however, come
when we are forced to Judge OF their real motives
by their conduct; and, as they have not encouraged
further argument, it may not he premature to in
quire into the amount of their forces.
We are informed by prodiglous volume OF
American statistics recently prepared for both
Houses Of Parliament by the diligence of Mr.. Mac
gregor, that the ding army Of the United States
consists OF one regiment OF dragons. one regiment
OF rfemen, four companies Of artillery, and eight
regiments of infantry. The whole number OF troops
now in the service is 9,SH, exclusive of 78l CON-
missioned officers An act of Congress of 1912 re-
duced the rank and file OF the army 800 men
this reduction is now proceeding, and when il is
completed the standing army will consist OF 1880
commissioned officers, musicians artifcers, and
privates. II 10 true that il this corps should appear
rather small for the defence of the United States,
and the invasion of region situated 1900 miles
off, on the other side Of the American continent
the militia force Of the United States might by,
Its numbers at least, have excited the envy of
1S43, contains the appalling announcement that this
multltudinous host is commanded by 62 generals,
2,67O general staff officers, 1888 field officers,
A 938 company officers, being in all 81 205 officers;
nor are these numbers at all excessive, when we
learn that the forces under their command consist
of ,3S5,645 men For the purposes OF defence
against foreign invasion we have no doubt that
these American citizens would exert themselves
creditably. A considerable number Of the younger
men may even volunteer to take part in offensive
operations. But we have no hesitation in saying;
that 10 DTlng an enclent army OF even oU,UUU mcu
into the field prepared to march beyond their own
frontiers is the most arduous task which has ever
devolved upon the Federal Government OF the
United States, and with its present power and re-
sources believe it to be absolutely lmpractlCabe
The navy OF the United States consists Of IL ships
of the line, two OF which are aoat three are receiv.
ing ships, and six on the stocks, or under repairs
The Ia first class frgates OF A guns, are the best
part of the feet Of these four are on the stocks and
three in ordinary. The two So gun frigates old
The small vessels are, IL Shops of war, briggs,
schooners, and steamers. The navy list contains
81 captains, 81 commanders, 81 leutenants, and
masters. No estimate can be formed OF the real
strength Of the crews Of the American navy, because
it is we'll known that considerable portion OF this
fleet is manned by British seamen who are attract,
peace. But that very circumstance shows the ex-
IRENE difficulty of manning an American fleet Ia
war, and especially in war with England Their
ships are, in fact, worked to great extent by En-
would unquestonably return to their own colors on
the outbre TX OF host'litles.
We content ourselves with this simple enumera..
ton of the forces Of the United States by land and
by sea, which we hope is correct. We know not
what course Mr. Polk may intend 10 pursue after the
notice for the abrogation OF the treaty for joint oc-
cupation has been duly given and we shall await
with more curiosity than alarm the enterprises
which may be projected for the purpose OF expelng
British subjects from district where we happen to
command the coast and the interior, the Indians
England is not the attacking party, and that we are
content to leave matters in Oregon ss they now are
II the Americans mean any thing, they mean to dis
possess us of whatwe hold. AT the same time, If
ing.on, or if it be disclosed by votes of money
and warllke preparations which imply fixed deter
mlnation TO engage In this absurd and hagltous
contest, no state is bound to walt to be attacked
Mr.. Polk has already instructed the American MI
mister in London to ask for an explanation OF the
activity in our dockyards. His own conscience
might have given it to him; his own language has
put Ms upon the defensive; and although the terml-
nation OF the convention of 1927 by notice is no
casus beli, yet the disposition indicated by that no.
tce, and the means which may be taken to carry
that disposition into effect may hereafter furnish
ample ground of suspicion of remonstraAce, and
finally Of host,lities A bold and manly course on
the part OF the British government will probably not
be without good effect in the United States; and
1t will undoubtedly command the unanimous sup
port OF the people OF England.
[From the London Examiner, March ~
The Americans seem determined to be original
with moral political, nd International laws all and
exclusively their own. Their standard OF right, Of
logic, and OF honour, are quite new; quite different
from anything OF the kind received or admitted by
anterior, and OF course interior races of men. Our
| deal with arguments 30 novel, which at bottom are
neither more nor lees than an appeal to war, and a
reckless, though sophisticaI provocation Of it.
Alter failing, for second or third time, in
negotiation, our eayoy, Mr. Pakenham, pro-
posed to refer tie partition of the territory
to arbitration-to any aIbitration-that OF a
sovereign, that o any body OF jursts, or eminent
men The answer Of the American is a curious
specimen of evasion. Mr.. Buchanan says he could
never refer the question 10 arbitration. He might,
indeed, refer the question Of title, provided the de-
csion OF that title ended in nothing, was in favor
Of America. But to put it in the power Of any TO-
reign arbiter to take away territory from the Unit
ed States, that impossible. In fact, the only
principle which the American minister would
negotiate upon, or submit to arbitrator, was the
old and wel-known one of | win, you lose" Ac-
cording 10 Mr.. Buchanan's rule, the United States
can never submit to arbitration a question OF terri
tory. Where land is concerned, the Americans re-
on their own right, as well as that Of their anago.
nist's. Why conine this principle to territory? If
it be rational and sound, it equally applies to all
rights and interests as well as to land. II we sub