Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-04
THE SOUND DUES.


BY tar the most important question, now con-
nected with our foreign relations, is that of the
Sound Dues and though it is each day assuming
graver aspect, and may eventuate war, it is
little understood outside Of that portion of the
community immediately concerned in the ship
ping interest.
The most convenient, and, indeed, the only
safe entrance TO the Baltic sea, is through the
Sound, narrow Strait dividing the Danish ISL
and of iceland from the kingdom Of Sweden.
The Danish government claims the right TO levy
toll upon all vessels, of whatever nation, passing
through this Strait, and this toll is what is called
the Sound Dues.
The President of the United States has deter
mined to sweep away the diplomatic bubbles
upon which the Pretentions of Denmark are
founded, and TO assert those great American
principles SO trumphantly indicated by Ameri-
can guns in the harbor Of rpoli-exemption
from tribute and the liberty OF the seas-and this
will be done without recourse to the European
Congress, SO insnuatngly recommended by Jour
nails abroad, for there is another American prin-
cpe which warns US from ''entangling alliances"
with foreign powers.
We give below extracts from two foreign
prints, the Constitutional and the Pays, which
are supposed to reflect the sentiments of the I'M
perial Government Of France. These extracts
are interesting, not only as the French view of
the question at issue between the American and
Danish Governments, but showing the unwil-
lngness and jealousy with which the powers of
Europe would witness our young Republic lead
~ tha ,.ldar cnmmarcial pat;opS &c tha ,yorld
in the assertion of the freedom of the seas, so
essential To their commercial prosperity:
The Pays, after giving the history OF the Sound
dues, is led, by the following of reasoning,
TO suggest an European Congress to discuss and
dispose Of the subject.
'sThat the danger Of rupture, and perhap.
open hostlities, in the present aspect Of the case
j. imminent, Is very clear.
s'If Denmark allows a free passage TO the ships
Of the American Union, there can be no reason
why the same privilege should not be claimed by
all other commercial powers, and there be
none for its refusal. Now, as we have already
stated, the suppression Of the Sound dues would
be utterly fatal 10 the finances Of Denmark. The
cabinet of Copenhagen Is, therefore, compelled
10 resistance. But ", their side, the United
States persist in their resolution-if their vessels
at the expiration Of the treaty, attempt TO force
the entrance 10 the Baltic, the question at once
assumes aspect Of the utmost gravity, and war
kself becomes imminent between the two govern
ments.
''Will the United States press matters 10 this
extreme; For the sake of the peace ofthe world
already so unhappily disturbed, II is TO be hoped
that moderate counsels viii prevail.
"The argument Of the United States, il must
be admitted, is far from being conclusiye-it con-
sists in the assertion that the tolls Of the Sound
as far as they Uhe United States) are concerned,
are merely the result of the treaty Of 1896, and
that with the abrogaton Of that treaty the claims
Of Denmark must cease
Denmark replies with more logic, that the
treaty of lS26 merely regulated the application
Of her right TO levy tolls and that the treaty did
not create the right, and that consequently Il en-
lists independent Of the treaty and its stpulations
She adds that the act Of lS26 is even formal
recognition the part Of the United States Of
the rights Of Denmark and Of their pre-existence,
and that these rights were as well founded before
as after the agreement Of 1896.
denmark appears TO MS TO be perfectly justi-
fable in holding this language. Nor can the
pretentions Of the Cabinet OF Washington be
sustained on the ground Of the rights Of treaties.
"But evidently the object Of the United States
Is not confined 20 the mere determination as to
whether or not the payment Of the tolls does, OF
not, result from the treaty Of 1926, and If ought
10 cease with this diplomatic act. These leRal
subtleties do not become the gravity Of the sub
iect The object Of the American Government
is to resolve forclbly, II necessary a question OF
natural right: that Of the freedom Of the seas.
"The principle Of the liberty Of the seas is one
Of those sheltered henceforth from all discussion
by the doctrines Of the rights Of nations Yes
sooner or later the progress Of international rela.
tons must sweep away every impediment to the
commerce Of maritime nations. We believe that
one Of the greatest desiderata Of civilized com.
munities should be the free circulation of all the
Hays OF all nations in all whether interior OF
exterior. AT the present day there should be nc
such thing as mare ciauSum. Puffendorf re-
futed long since the interested sophistries of Sci.
den on this head.
"But regards Denmark, the question cannot
be laid down IN this simple and theoretc form
il is interviewer, fromtime immemorial. with All
her treaties; and more than ALL il is Of such mi
versal interest that no ono power should under.
take its solution.
'fThe whole commerce Of the world. that &C The
European States in particular is interested IN The
issue so suddenly made by the United States
The acquired rights Of Denmark, and the mate.
rial power Of her government, alike incur the
greatest dangers. Other States have been for
several years engaged upon this important oues
ton, particularly Prussia, who, from her posi-
ton, is most heavily burdened by the tariff Of the
Sound, and who is so anxously seeking an Quite,
on the North sea, that she may, TO degree al
least, escape the payment Of the Danish tribute
II IS 10 Russia and England question Of the very
highest importance, and France herself canno,
remain Indifferent 70 IT,
'tUnder all these aspects Of the case the cues
ton is evidently Of general right and interest:
and as such, it should be studied, discussed. and
settled by all the parties concerned. To attempt
IFS solution by violence, would lead 70 the mo