New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-17
THE TREATY WITH RUSSIA.


STA on the rights of neutrals, WAS recently laid
before our readers. Whatever was the origin Of
this act whether the pressure Of the European
war, the interests of humanity, or the promptings
Of statesmaDship, it must constitute new chapter
in international codes.
The declaration of armed neutrality, headed
twice by Russia in the past century-the first
time during our Revolutionary war aud the sec.
ond during that between France and England
emergency. France, to be sure, always defend.
ed the rights Of neutrals as defined in this Con-
yenton, but never had occasion to place them on
q firm basis by formal treaty, while her Berlin
and Milan DEGREES were their practical annihila-
ton. 1t is, therefore, for the first time, that the
rights of neutrals now receive guarantee and
conservation in harmony with enlightened modern
exgencies, and the equity ultimately due the re-
iations Of all nations aiming to be civilized For
the first time these rights receive diplomatic
force, being proclaimed by two powerful nations,
one Of them, (the United States, through its POI
sitOn and trade, being undoubtedly the first mari
time power of the globe.
That this treaty ought TO be very unpaatable
to England, or at least to the English oligarchy,
may be easily understood. That oligarcby will
not surrender its ancient oppressive assumption
of the right Of search. 1t never has, and never
will, spontaneously yield to the principle that,
war or no war; the flag ought to cover the cargo.
1t will seek to employ brute force against weaker
maritime powers as a sure means of selfshy des-
troying the commerce Of other nations 1t con-
siders the so-called right of search sword sus-
pended over the heads of the interests of the va.
rious commercial States of the world.
The contrary principle being always maintained
BY France England, her ally in the present war,
urged by Louis Bonaparte, was obliged to make
concessions, and desist, for the first time, from
her ancient pretensions on this head. But these
concessions are reluctantly and awkwardly made,
and if fully understood, are intended only for the
present war. Thus, in the declaration issued by
the English Ministry, it is specially asserted that
Her M,jesty is willing, for the present, to
"waive part of the belligerent rights apper-
"tait ing to her by the law of nations-waiye the
right of seiziDg the enemy's property laden on
hoard of neutral vessel unless it be contra.
"band of war;"
But, in order that no Misunderstanding may
arise out Of this conces sion, The London Times,
the great eIpounder of English commercial pre-.
tensions, hastens to interpret the declaration, and
states that it is strictly limited to the present
"wsr, and that the exceptions thus made recog-
'nize the rule Of law it is intended to suspend"
The trading world is thus informed that England
never intends to regulate her international code
BY equitable principles, in order to guarantee the
continuation Of peaceful commerce, with its net
work now covering the globe. She will thus,
according to her own showing, seek to persevere
in old usurpatiens against which this country
wsgsd war in 1912.
Tie treaty lately concluded with Russia invites
The accession of other Governments The mari.
time powers of the second and third orders,
whose commercial navy and interest suffer by any
war between those Of the 6st order, would be