The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-05
THE AMERICAN INTEREST IN THE EURO
PEAN WAR;


OF NEUTRALs.
In the House Of Commons on the 18th ult., Mr. MLNR
GIBSON rose to bring forward the motion of which he had
given notice. that Instructions should be issued to her
Macstys cruisers not to interfere with neutral vessels
carrying goods the property of the enemy not contra
band Of He said Sir have thought it consistent
with my duty to call the attention Of the house at the
present time to the question of the rights of neutrality
which may be enjoyed other nations in case that war;
with which we are now threatened, should take place.
The subject of present motion relates simply to the
position in which neutral mercantile vessels may find
terms of the most perfect amy with France and
with the United States of Amerca-two of the most i'm
Porant naval and commercial Powers in the world be-
sides ourselves-and, therefore, We might probably
obtain their assent to such alteration of inter-
national law upon this subject, as would be be-
fitting the times in which live, and would
give liberal scope for commercial transactions
in time Of On these grounds think this is
favorable moment, by negotiations with foreign pow
to carry on war with greater respect to private property
than has yet been DONE and with greater liberty
ion on the question whether the itself polite
impoitc-I merely assume, for the sake of argument,
whether that cannot be carried without infrng
ing the rights of and of private property
Though my object really to elicit information from the
government, yet have put notice Of motion on pa
per indicating my views. But do not wish to convey
the impression that the government themselves are
disposed to take iberal view of the subject or to
have to extreme and rigorous practices with
out necessity give them full credit for being acuated
by the desire to act in the way have mentioned; but
how what they are, and which l have authority
for saying many gentlemen who thoroughly COM
petent to judge, consider would give satisfaction. do
not ask the House commit itself any abstract prin
cipe. lido not propose to give up any OF maritime
rights only ask that special Instructions may DO
given to the officers commanding her Majestys cruisers
In the event Of war, to abstain from interfering with
neutral vessels account Of any goods property not
contraband Of war that may be contained therein.
As understand, this power is power given to British
cruisers, when war is declared, over all the surface
Of the globe Wherever the neutral ship is may b
Arch cd tn apo alma 1nat
conceive this state of things large American packet
arrives at Cowes from the United States bound to Ham
burg. II may have among its multifarious bales Of
goods some consigned to persons in Hamburg,
with the view of tho goods being afterwards sent to
houses in Russia. There may be Russian interest in
those bales of goods The commanding officer of Of
her Majestys cruisers detans the vessel He says: 81
have interest in certain goods in your ship which
the property of the enemy and mean to try right
in a court Of law in order that may condemn them as
lawful prize" The American packet is detained and all
kept in British port until the trial takes place Sup
pose 1t be decided that these bales of goods not
Russian property though it appeared there prsS
fuce for detention, and there is restitution Of tho
property do you suppose there will not be bitter feel
ing left behind if American ship brought in under
pendture incurred merely to test the question whether
particular officer has vested interest IN certain pro-
perty in the vesselr put this as case whcn may
bility of such an unfortunate thing as the creation
of q bad feeling with neutral and friendly powers,
that call upon the House to take the question
into tie most serious consideration Hear hear, hear
The rroposition have taken the liberty Of making
sts Of Two parts. In the first place, ask you not TO
exercise the of searching neutral vessels for the
purpose of finding enemies propery and also ask you
10 consider the policy OF entering into treaty stpuatons
with the United States of America, and other foreign
countries willing to entertain the subject that free ships
shall make free goods and that the neutral flag shall
give neutrality to the cargo PROPOSE not that you
should bind yourselves to agree TO such treaty stpua
ton by asserting to this notion but merely that the
Crown should direct its ministers to consider the policy
of such measure. believe there is very good ground
for considering Mt the time the policy OF enter
ing into treaty with the United States and other foreign