The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-25
OUR FOREIGN TROUBLES THE SOUND DUES.

From time to time rumors are circulated,
concerning troubles in our foreign relations,
but the People are becoming used to them,
and feel a comfortable assurance that this Ad-
ministratioR will not be apt to provoke any col
lision with foreign Power by an extraordi
nary display of spirit. 1t maintained quite
bold tone in the case of Martin Koszta but, as
the Westminster Reuieo shrewdly remarked,
there was not much danger Of hostilities be-
tween an inland Power of Europe, without a
navy, and a commercial Power of America
without an army. 1t was belligerent enough
towards Spain, but at a convenient moment
disavowed Mr.. Soule, and betook itself to the
most peaceable connsels.
The latest controversy is that with Den
mark, concerning the Sound Dues. Denmark,
with few sources of revenue, has for many GEN.
turies claimed the privilege to tax the vessels
of all nations passing through the Sound at
Elsinore into the Baltic, and it has never been
contested by any European State, although
obviously founded upon no natural right.
Treaties have been repeatedly made, regulating
it to certain extent, and this country, in 1926,
entered into an arrangement on the subject.
But, we have always felt FESTIVE under the i'm
position. Our Government has insisted that,
by natural right and the law of nations, as
navigation is entirely free on the two seas
connected by the Strait so it ought to be free
Oh the Strait itself. In 1874, negotiations
were instituted for the reduction or abrogation
of the tolls, and, with some exceptions, they
have been prosecuted ever since. Last April,
the Administration gave the required notice to
Denmark, of the termination of the treaty;
but as it contains clause continuing its ope-
ration one year beyond such notice, it will be
in force till next April.
What is to be done? Mr. Upshur, when
Secretary of State, proposed, it is said, to put
American vessels under the protection of
squadron of armed ships, to convoy them
through the Strait-rather a hazardous opera.
ton with the battery at Cronberg Castle, COM
manding the passage. Will this Administra-
ton attempt to carry out that project? The
Government of Denmark has replied to the
notification of the United States, indicating its
purpose not to reinquish the tolls:
although the Government of the United
States has taken the initiative in denouncing
the treaty, the Government of the King, my
august master, cannot give up the hope that
propositions will be made to it to open the way
to the conclusion of new treaty of such a
nature as will preserve intact the commercial
relations which have existed until now so hap
PLY between the two nations, and as will, at
the same time, obviate the deplorsh,cc III ne
cessary consequence Of the .Sirpation of the
present tr"ct:y. 1nIs consequence would be,
.nat vessels of the United States, in the passage
through the Sound and the Belt, would be put
on the footing Of non-favored nations"
We do not believe this Administration in
tends to fight about it, although it would not
be displeased to have public attention diverted
from domestic affairs and controversies, by ru-
mors of war. The likelihood is, that tempo
rary arrangement will be hit upon, by which the
right of Denmark will be repudiated, and a
basis laid for the future abrogaton of the tolls,
but the privilege be conceded to her of lcvying
them few years longer.