The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-12

received in the considerations Of great International ques
AS regards the second position very clear from the
objects and terms of the treaty that il designed
that the Central American States should become parties TO
the treaty under the obligations assumed BY England and
the United States II could not be supposed that the Gem
tra American States would engage extend their
limits under any state OF circumstances This would have
been very absurd engagement their part but yet
proper one on the part Of powers external TO Central
America The sixth article explains the treaty on this
point for provides that the contracting parties may
ter into treaties with such Of the Central American States
they may deem advisable in order theca
nal To this extent treaties with the Central American
States considered desirable but beyond.
But there could be any doubt upon the question TO
whether the treaty prospective not would be
cusyey settled BY the declaration made by Mr. Bulwer at
the time OF the treaty. excepting "ber Majesy settlements
Honduras its dependencies from the operations OF
the treaty If the treaty had been prospective there would
have been no necessity for this exception but the fact
that II was adc shows the understanding the British gov
ernnent then had Of its meaning A
consider therefore, that the American construction Of
the treaty in this respect is clear and only surprised
terent one, so maniiesty uufounded
As regards the Mosquito protecorate, think alb
ract legal proposiou that England right in her posi-
onhat the protecorate il not inconsistent with the
treaty because tho treaty does expressly recognise pro-
eelorate Tor y provides thai neither party will mas use
purposes inconsistent with the treaty. England may
nne her Mosquito protecorae but must be exercised
subservient to the treaty, which makes it harmless As
this all England contends for the Mosquito protecorae
is matter OF no practical Importance According to the
o. hs s sA sanno. p used for the q
and therefore dismiss it. .3's
crimnaely called the difficulty upon this point arises
from the extension Of the Belize beyond its original limits
England insists that the declaration accompanying her
cession to the treaty of 1850 excepts the Belize within its
then existing limits Our government insists the
ry that the term aHonduras and its dependencies only
included the region known as such under the English and
q q OF uucer
Great Britain has been for indefinite period in possess
sion OF certain region Of country 10 South America
known as Honduras, the Belize By treaty with Spain
in 1876, she permitted mahogany and other
wood within the district between the Rio Hondo aud
the Sboon but the British sceL have extended their pos
session the river Sastoon, degree and latitude
beyond the limits settled in the Spanish treaty of 1856.
The controversy arises from this extension 1t very easy
to say what the Belize under the treaty with Spain in
1885, and the subsequent treaty OF 1920 with Mexico and
that the character Of the English possession under those
treaties was merely usuructa permission 10 cut wood
but not grant Of sovereignty and treated by the Eng
ish Parliament as late as lSl9 But this is not decisive
The declaration accompanying the treaty OF 1850 excerpts
from its operation Honduras and its dependencies The
question: then, this point under the treaty of $780, s
what is Honduras and its dependencies? 2? But great DIFF
negoators Of the Clayton and Buwer treaty should have
and is dspendencesS fhsy neglected 10 do this, and
hence the difficulty The pretensions OF England upon this
point are not without show Of reason at least.
Mr. Marcy seems to have felt the difficulty this point
and he has accordingly somewhat changed The issue and
Buchanan that the United States would the claim
Of Great Britain TO full sovereignty the Belize as an
infringement OF the Monroe doctrine The Monroe doctrine
is that "he American continent by the fee and indepeod
ent condition which they have assumed and maintained,
henceorh not to be considered subjects for future col
onzation by any European powers ! have no special
veneration tor the Monroe doctrine. do not believe in
laying down rigid general rule would prefer TO act
upon each individual as il might occur. If any par
cular of colonization in the act of being made,
and from its locality, other cause prendicia
threatening to ua would object 10 it on such grounds
In his vay won meet as AMI
have something practical TO operate upon regret there
fore that Mr. Marcy should have introduced this doctrine
which is at best but the opinion of Mr. Monroe Instead
strengthening it's tendency is to weaken position
Upon the whole SO far as the Belize question concerned
would have our government proceed with peculiar mod
Grafton for do consider position perfectly clear
aud the region Of country involved not of much prac
cal importance being mostly succession OF wanps un-
As regards the remaining cause Of complaint ngainst
Great Btanher occupation of Ruatan and the adjacent
islands. This is the most important feature of the con.
roversy for Ruatan represented capable OF being
made strong military position commanding the adjacent
As colony Of Great Britain, II could
become important because the suicidal OF Great
Britain in reference 10 her black slaves has paayzed her
future progress in that equatorial region The whites can
work under such sun, and the enanchsed blacks
will not that for all the usual purposes OF colony
Ruatan would be but iucumbrance. But mere mill
tary point fortress Rusian might be OF great Importance
consider the occupation of these islands by England
aaant violation OF he treaty of 1850 This clearly the
case II they portion OF Central Americs sad nota por-
ton OF Honduras its depenaencies That they por-
ton OF Central America is think sufficiently well establish
ed Their geographical position, being only thirty miles
from the Central American State OF Honduras naturally at
taches them that region England, by treaties Of 1888
and 1856 with Spain, acknowledged Ruean ms Spanish
possession belonging TO the Vice Royalty Of Guatemala
Ruatan in possession OF the State Of Honduras and
claimed by her ia ls4 when England seized II by force
arms These facts show that Ruaan is part OF Cen
America England indeed virtually admits that Ru
Central America for she claims II as part OF
the Belize The only question: then, remaining IS whether
Ruaian excepted from the treaty of 1850 as part OF
the Belize Mr. Caytons connterdcclaration AT the exc
cuon Of the treaty Of 1850 was that the treaty not
ato include British settlement In Honduras commonly
called British Honduras disinct from the State OF Hon
settlement which may be known as its dependencies
By the terms smal islands in the neighborhood Of that
settlement which may be known lis dependencies"
what was meant7 Certainly Ruatan, because Ruaan
ia large isand and some hundred and ffy miles dis
tant from the Belize The terms asmal islands in the
negbborhood Of that setencnr hnve referred to
Cayo Casino and athe cluster Of small islands the
coast the distance Of three leagues from the river 81
boon y and the known its dependencies could
in no Just apply Ruatan but is peculiarly appro
pirate to aCayo Casino This "sma islands must
be construed too with reference the object of the treaty
which prevent Great Britain the United States
from exercising dominion Central Amercs, s to
command the projected canal The great purpose OF The
treaty would be defeated IL Great Britain were allowed TO
coouize and fortify Rustan We cannot suppose there
fore the treaty intended to leave Great Britain In pos
session of that island
consider The position OF government as pregnaoe
this point The question now Is as to The course our
government should take Ruatan Is, think, the only
point in the Central American question OF pracucai I'M
r ohnt,la uruute in nj