Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-10-04
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, THURSDAY MORNING,

~ The question of the Danish Scum,
Dues is exciting some interest. Denmark
contends that she has the high authority o
VATrEL in favor of the exaction; and the tex
of his work contains the qualified admission
of her right. But the reason assigned is tha
Denmark is put to expense and Inconvenience
in maintaining lighthouses, marks, and
other things of that sort for the safety o.
mariners The general principle is, however
distinctly stated, that a Strait, which con-
meets two seas, the navigation of which j;
common to all, should itself be open to all
We might pay Denmark reasonable sum
in consideration of her expenses, but further
than that we ought not to go. WHEATON, in
his Elements Of International Law, expresses
the true doctrine. "Straits are passages COM
municating from one sea to another. If the
navigation of the two seas thus connected is
free, the navigation Of the channel by which
they are connected ought also to be free
Even If such strait be bounded Ell both sides
by the territory of the same sovereign, and is
at the same time so narrow as to be COM
manded by cannon shot from both shores, the
exclusive territorial jurisdiction of that soyer-
eign over such strait is controlled by the right
Of other nations to communicate with the
seas thus connected
We Subjoin from aa exchange The follow
ing sketch:
"The Sound is narrow strait living be-
tween the Island Of Zetland, belonging to the
Danes, and the Swedish coast, and gives
entrance to the Baltic sea The fortress Of
Crenburg Castle commands the passage and
extracts payment from all vessels entering
the Baltic; the ships of Denmark herself
have to pay, as we'll as foreign tunnage.
"The origin of this exaction is, that in an-
cicnt times Denmark undertook to build and
sustain certain lighthouses along the coast,
for which the IIansetowns agreed TO pay toll
England, France, Holland and Sweden
pay duty of one per cent on every cargo
entering the Baltic. Other countries, includ-
ing the United States, pay one and a quarter
per cent; even Danish ships are taxed to this
rate In the year 1926 treaty recognizing
this duty, was concluded between the United
States and Denmark. This treaty, however,
according to one of its stipulations may be
dissolved by either Of the parties, provided
they give one years notice of their intention.
"During the Presidency of John Tyler our
Government determined to put forcible end
to the imposition. Mr.. Upshur, then Secre-
tary of State fitted out fleet of merchant
men and vessels of war, under Commodore
Stewart, which he designed should force its
way into the Baltic and thus at once rid the
United States of the Sound duties. Mr.. Up
shur's sudden death, however, by the explo-
sion Of a cannon, just as the fleet was ready
to start, delayed the expedition and it was
finally abandoned. Other attempts were
made to abolish this tax. While Denmark
was at war with Schles-wig- IIostcin, Mr.
fered, on the part of his Government, to pay
Denmark S250,OO0 for years suspension Of
the dues; his death prevented the proposal
coming to head. Finally, on the 18th of
April last, the United States notified the
Danish Government of their intention to
cease paying the Sound duties, and the stip-
ulation Of the treaty will accordingly expire
next spring. Should no amicable arrange
ment of the question be arrived at in the
meanwhile, we may then expect-to see our
vessels passing The -sounst .stacrwsuiikc con-
voy. A serious conflict viii then most prob
ably arise.
"The Danes are much alarmed on this
subject, and fear the United States will seize
on their West India possessions, the Island
Of st. Thomas and st. Croix. They are be-
lieved to be soliciting the good offices of the
French Government"