Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-12-05


lbs Sound DUES QuEsrIos.- most re,
cent adyIces from abroad give evidence that the
position Of this country 10 relation to the Sound
Dues, and the crises which an adherence to that
position VIII few months bring about. if the
difficulty be not In the meantime adjusted. is at
tracing much attention from the Goverurne mis-
and publclsts OF Europe. Two evidences of this
attention were included in the advices by the
Canada. One being the we'll accredited rumor
that Russia had accepted the position of mediator
between the United States and Denmark and the
other the discussion of the subject by the Const-
tuionnel. the semi official journal of the French
government The willingness of Russia to be
come mediator between Denmark and this coun-
try may be attributed 10 very obvious causes, the
policy of which is easily dscernble. By assup-
ing that position she would increase the attach
ment CT Denmark to her cause, and throw al least
one obstacle In tie way of the formation of gen
eral ScandnavlaD league against herself, the pro-
motion OF which is said 10 be the object of Gen.
Canroberts visit to the Courts of Northern Eu-
rope. Russia would also in such character ap-
pear to assume these close and friendly relations
with this country which it is her object to make
Western Europe believe she sustains, and the
supposed existence of which is the overlooking
drop in tie London Times cup of bitterness
Foreseeing the advantages to be achieved by as
suming the position of mediator. Russia has not
exhibited less of provision and tact in chasing the
basis upon which she proposes settlement of the
difficulty five may believe rumor she recon-
inends Denmark to cede to us the island of ST..
Thomas for the sum of five million of dollars. and
total exemption of American ships and cargoes
from future payment of Sound dues Diplomatic
astuteness is supremely evident in the conception
of this plan. II in reality imposes no hardship
upon Denmark for her present necessities wonld
make FIVE millions Of dollars full equivalent for
her West India possessions; il is calculated tn fall
in with the passion for territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
supposed to influence our people. and, above ALL
and here The Russian talent in diplomacy is fully
displayed, il would afford settlement Of the mat
ter in a way most distasteful to England and
France, and yet against which they could not find
any good ground for protest The right of Dem
mark to sell and of the United States to buy being
unquesiionabls. Denmark, however, Out of con-
,deraton for her Western Allies, is said to have
declined The proposition.
The attention which The Paris Constitutional
gives the subject is supposed to be instgated BY
the French Government and lis views are receiv-
ed as in some respects developing The position Ia
ken by the French Cabinet. The Constitution
mel is of opinion that the crisis provoked by the
refusal Of the United States to pay the Dues af
ter the first OF April next cannot be otherwise Put
an end to than by general Congress Of all the
nations interested in the matter, and that to dream
Of regulating this affair without consulting Eng
land, which occupies the first rank in the com
mercial world. and France, which is placed at
the head Of The political world, would be to evade
and not to solve the difficulty.
The Paris Pays, also enjoying the reputation Of
representing, to some extent, The opinions of the
French Government, takes substantially thesam
view as the Constitutional, but is more violent
in its denunciaiuns Of this country. exhibiting at
the same time the total ignorance that usually be-
longs to European comments on American affairs.
Baltimore american.