The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-02

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principally included lighthouse duties clearance du
ties &c, &c II formerly intended TO adopt an
exclusive basis OF capitalization the nationality Of vessels
passing through the straits but is evident that this plan
would be anything but just seeing that the number Of
vessels belonging 10 ceaia nation and passing through
the Sound and Belts does in way represent the quota
which this nation actually contributes the dues which
are principally levied upon merchandise. This quota
would be In ormity to the state OF things
were TO adopt basis the quantity Of merchandise
which has passed through The Sound and the Belts Ia
adopting this basis II might be agreed upon for instance
that the respective States Denmark included, should
tribute ia proportion 10 the quantity of goods exported
from their ports aud imported into the Baltic, passing
through tbs straits orted by the way of the
Baltic to be imported into their ports and and
by combining this basis with that Of the nationality Of
the vessels that the compensation TO be to Dem
mark might be calculated relates TO the real Sound
dues after the transit OF goods after the direct impora
tons expectations OF each State in merchandise having
passed the straits Of the Sound and OF the Belts and with
regard 70 lighthouse and other duties, after the flag,
might perhaps get little the ST and equitable
luton Of problem the full settlement Of which must al
ways present the greatest difficulties.
N The two tables accompanying this represent one the
amount Of duties collected at the Sound and Belts upon
vessels OF each respective State in the years 1884, 1882
1853, and the other the of duties collected upon
the goods imported into the Baltic exported from that
during the same year.
la placing these documents the disposal of the cab
nets the Danish government ventures express hope
that they will be treated with all the discretion which the
delicate nature OF The affair in question demands.
r Mr. Marcy 10 Mr., Bedingv.
mo- 10. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Nov. 3, 1885,
Sin: proceed to communicate the Presidents reply to
the proposition of the Danish government TO the United
States to join in convention with other powers interested
in the Sound dues" at Copenhagen for the purpose OF
celebrating on that subject.
The friendly relations between Denmark ana the United
States have been interrupted The President cher
shes an ardent disposition to sustain and strengthen Them
and he would extremely regret that his determination to
O 4 n n ~
tonahle manner should be regarded indication Of
disrespect for Denmark or want of proper appreciation
the into The Baltic have been productive of
revenue TO Denmark and it is very natural that she should
struggle 70 retain IT, il these exacons founded in
right the United States would be the last power utter
fere with her enjoyment of them.
II proposed discuss the question of right in this
communication that has already been DONE and the Uni
ted States have adopted the conclusion that they are under
no obligation arising from international law treaty
stipulation to yield to this claim. Denmark, on the
trary, has adopted different and opposite conclusion
IL Is readily conceded that both nations anxious
rive at satisfactory solution Of this vexed question The
time naonsnnd Denmark has invited them to be repre-
scented in convention assemble this month at Copen-
hagen, to consider proposition to be offered by her to
capitalize this revenue and to apporion among
c powers the be paid for this rcnuncaon Of the
present mode Of collecting it. The United States have
been respectfully invited to send representative TO the
Without at nil questioning the fair intention OF Dem
mark in proposing this measure, the President feels
strained by sense OF duty to decline the acceptance OF
this invitation The convention is the basis
of its proceedings the very right the part of Denmark
which the United States deny It is assembled without
power 10 pass upon the right of Denmark to levy
contribution upon foreign commerce. but only authorized
to adjust tic share to be paid BY each nation in lieu of the
eoecons tereoore assessed upon their respective vessels
and cargoes The United States however, their
liability TO pay any contribution whatever. The main
question az Issue between this government and that OF
Denmark s not how much burden shall be borne by
to tie Baltic but whether it shall be subjected
10 any burden at ALL The proposed tribunal it will be
perceived by the restriction upon its jurisdiction is ex-
press precuded from celebrating and deciding upon the
only serious question at issue between the United States
and Denmark
This is not however the only difficulty which prevents
the President from consentng be represented in the
ven,on In claiming exemption of ships and their
from taxation by Denmark the straits of the
bah me President IS indicating great national princi-
PIE OF extensive and various application If yielded in
one instance 1t will be difficult TO maintain it in Others.
exactions upon trade at the into the Baltic
were acquicsced in by the United States similar exacons
might the principle be demanded the straits OF
Gibraltar and Messina the Dardanelles and all great
naygabe rivers whose upper branches and tributaries
occupied by different independent powers.
The President cannot admit the competency OF such
tribunal that proposed by Dcnmarkas he would do If
this represented therento deal with
principle OF such vast importance to the whole commercial
world.
There is another ground of objection joining in The
proposed convention quite controlling either OF the
foregoing The government OF the United States will
consent TO the petension that the Ner World Is 10
appropriated to adjust the political balance Of the Old
submitted to the United States that the convention Is 10
net upon the question relative TO the Sound dues in con-
nexion with the of the European balance of power
IL Is more than nmated that the former Is be subord
mated 10 the latter OF the utility wisdom Of the politi
cal theory OF the balance Of power in Its application the
European family OF nations IL Is not proposed TO express
an opinion but enough Of its operations has been
Impress upon this government fixed determination 10
avoid being brought within its vortey 1t has long been
the cherished policy of this government avoid such
dangerous completely, and the President will yield in
any case 10 the slightest relaxation Of H.
The following quotation from the Danish document sub
hitting the proposition TO this government will show the
intended conneIon and comminurc Of the subjects
"Besider this condition. there is still another which the
Danish government considers essential namely that the
affair in question the Sound dues be considered
one of commerce or money, but political This
would be 10 accordance with the history the Sound dues
and with the part which they have performed in the poll
tics OF the north Of Europe Otherwise the negotiation
would be deprived OF that scope and character which
requisite to prevent its being fettercd by questions of
ondary nature which may be pertinent arrangement
merely commercial aud fiscal but not to destined to