The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-23

The proposed action OF our in reference 70
terminating the treaty with Denmark ia the subject Of
much comment and discussion by the European press.
Tho Paris Pays after reviewing tho history Of these
sound dues, and noticing the notification given BY our
government TO that Of Denmark asks -
- WIN the Dsnsh government allow them ane yes.
seb OF the United States) TO pass without opposition
OF wiz y use force need be- 70 interdiot aeces by
them to the aounds Such Il the question that Il todsy
practically laid down. and which soon be resolved
The cabinet q Copenhagen is irresisby driven nto
States persist in their resolution If their ships at The
expiration Of the treaty attempt to forcbiy the
en.ry into the Baltic the gravest complication may
spring up, and war itself becomes imminent between
the two States. VIII the United States indeed drive
matters so ar In the interest Of the peace of world
already so unfortunately teoubed It ia to be hoped
that the counsels OF moderation will prevail The reason
ing Of the United States IL must be confessed IL far from
being conclusive II consists in saying thai IA to them
the payment OF the Sound dues only results from the
treaty OF 1870 snd that the suppression Of this treaty
they owe no longer amy tribute Of that Denmark
answers more logically that the treaty OF 1926 has regu
lated in reference to American vessels tho rats OF dues
but has not created the right which remains indepen
adds that the act Of 1926 (he treaty. Is formal recoe
milton on the part Of the United States OF rights Of
enmark and OF their preexstence and that these rights
susst ~ ws after a. before the agreement Of 1929
us appears that Denmark In holding this language
in the right and that the ground OF treaty the
position OF the Cabinet Of Washington L. evidently unite
nable
But II is manifest that the object of the United States
no. limited 70 the question whether the Sound dues
they ought TO with that diplomatic act These law
srs snbeties do no, suit the gravity Of the discussion
BY means Of force question Of natural law that Of the
liberty q the seas Tha, Is Of those principles which
the doctrines OF the law OF nations have put beyond fur
ther question. Yes later the progress Of in
ternaonni connections must all the obstacles
which the commerce OF maritime nations meets. We be-
heve That one Of the most serious Of
civilized societies in tine economical order ought 10 be-
the free circulation OF the Gags Of all powers in all peas
interior and exterior. We lest no longer have mare
eids1n Ia closed sea- Pulendorf has long since dis
posed Of Ia that respect, the interested sophisms Of
Selden
But tho question not placed in regard 10 Denmark
in chat simple and heeretc form. Is complicateI BY
Ill the treaties winch have been made with It's govern.
ment py an imn1emorai and uneontesed posseson and
above oil, by universal interest which no single power
represent exclusively engage In Of its sole
authority All the commerce of the word-thnt of aii
the states o. Europe In partcuiarare interested In The
solution o. the question uncercfnoniously raised by
the United States The acquired rights Of lcnmsrkthe
material power OF its government-incur their side
very great dangers from it, Other States are also pre-
occupied tor several in tins important question
particularly Prussia which, by is situation supports
WIN most cost TIC tariff of the Sound and which Il
seeking with so much solicludc for port the North
Sea, only that may escape partially at least the lri
butte which its vcsseIa pay 70 benmark Il COR Enesnd
and for Russia interest OF n primary order; even
France herself cannot remain indifferent to it.
tnder all these connections, the question L. the reflre
one OF right and general interest which deserves TO be
studied argued regulated and doubtless settled be ween
All parties interested and concerned in IT, To wish 10
cot ~ violently, 70 give rise to the most formidable
eventunes; to wish to resolve II In isolated aud OK.
elusive intere6 ~ 10 rnise against Denmark
Icc'hmatons IN the part Of the nations who would be
found least favored Evidently such difficulties ouly
be smoothed away by general compromises rang
under new forms serious amclioadous aud marking an
important tep towards that liberty Of the seas the very
legitimate object of all maritime powers.
lie, the United States instead Of combining this great
question 70 the narrow proportions Of a diplo-
matte subtety, instead Of complcatng Il by
vioences which the whole world would reprove
Let Il appeal not to the brute for ce TO tho sage and
loyal appreciation Of the great modern powers let It
seek by peaes u solution which may satisfy and
ccnciate all Interest,". That ia their right which 40 one
contests. But an open aggression, iegmate in prnc
pie and very serious besides in It's consequences would
no where meet appreciation concurrence. Whatever
may occur Il is evident that outside Of the immense in.
terests which are to-day in agitation in Europe and Of
which the strife Of the West against Russia one OF It's
greatest manifestations there exists number OF gues
tons relative TO the economic organization and the
political condition Of modern society These questions
must be attended 10 the hour Of reg alang
them which Is to consolidate the future and the
rcpoe Of Europe, and assure the paeihe progress OF
The Congress Of Vienna not exclusively occupied In
1915 with france and with the reestabi hnent Of tn
throne OF the B0urbons. We believe that late
new pacific congress will have for mission fix ali ine
rests that the peace q the world would be long free
from the threats and complications which compro
mise II; and certainly in that economic question
will play considerable role in the deliberations OF futur
plcnpo'ep aries. IL Is the business OF those interese
In the que ion 20 comprehend this inevitable situation
II ID for them TO prepare tie 81 making their yoc
heard in the committees Of peace And TO iaentd
themselves and with FIAT loyal and genersu
policy which has for object the safety Of Europe the In
DEPENDENCE Of the people the triumph Of eiyiiin
principles.
The Constihtionne says the saIne subject
Denmark declares herself resolved TO subject
American vessels - the sound tolls after tho
ply Of the treaty of 1925 ID derives It's right from The
hnne mortal possession With which Il Il invested and not
from the treaties which regulate and do not con tute
this right. The United States the contrary maintain
that their vesse subject 10 the toll only virtue o
the treaties concluded by tho Union with Denmark AMI
that The right Of tins power expires with these treaties.
~ Therefore no arrangement between the two parties
take place twelve months after the notification that has
been fiyenthat is, ia the q l656--Amesican
vessels viii refuse to pay the sound tolls and Denmark
can only compel them 10 do 50 by the exercise OF force.
The possibility OF such crisis l. e. be regretted.
We can only repeat opinion that u would have been
wise and polite for Denmark 20 have weakened the rcc
nations against the sound dues, by lowering much
Toss Bile the toll exacted and by removing every lcgiu
mate Of Complaint from the nation trading with
the Baltic.
When spoke recently OF the unceremonous and
arbitrary changes conpained " BY the merchants Of
Prussia and o. the United States did ssy
that Denmark hnd at all derogatcd from the treaties
binding her With al Powers. Tie tariff Of the 1645
hasseryed base for the toll until the year ls when
u was subjected to revision which 20 be succeeded
BY new revision every ten years. Denmark has
attempted TO modify these tariffs but has beuyed
her hands fee In regard 10 all articles specified In the
treaties These articles pretty nuInofous end
Of them bod even so important place Ia the navigation
or the Baltic The Prussan American shippers
tieaies 10 aggreve their opefson by variable and
taxes These complaints have bten too general and
too bitter 10 be without foundation.
The As,er.Jlee Ho.iOnae says.-
There l. In this affair the announcement % great
difficulty In which all the maritime nations viii lni
themselves involved sooner or later.
a.