Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-05
The Sound Dues.

We announced in our impression on Satur-
day that the Conference at Copenhagen upon
the Sound Dues had been again adjourned, In
order to gain time. The American Govern
ment, it appears, has consented to prolong the
obligation of the treaty existing between the
United States and Denmark, which was about
to expire on the l4th Of April, for further
term of two months. on the express under
standing that something will be done in the
meantime towards the abolition Of the Sound
Dues. We trust that Denmark will be able To
comply with the terms Of this misunderst and
ing, and that the concession on the part Of the
United States will meet with that success
which i seems to challenge.
At the same time we must protest against
the recommendation on this subject in the
Times of this morning, to the effect that, be-
cause the Sound Dues are the staff of life TO
Denmark, and the bread by which, as a ma
ton, she exists-and further, because a great
part of the Danish foreign debt has been con-
tracted in this country, and assigned to Brit
ish bondholders-that, therefore, this country
should consent to pay Denmark large sum
Of money to effect the abolition of the dues
Has our contemporary taken the trouble TO as
certain whether Denmark is entitled TO levy
these tolls at all? We are told that if the
35 000, 900 rix dollars demanded by Denmark
for the capitalization Of the dues be paid
British Shipping will benefit, in English mo-
present sum paid by this country in the shape
of Sound Dues, and s45, 900, the interest of
the sum which it is proposed. England shall
pay by way of capitalization. But who is
to pay this f45, 900, Not the Shipping In
terest, surely Upon what principle can Gov
ernment justify the Bill which they have Just
lost for the abolition Of Passing Tolls levied in
this country on Shipping, if they should be in
duced to determine that, with respect TO for
eign Passing Tolls, not only compensation
shall be paid, but be paid by the Shipping
Interest?
We believe, as we have affirmed on every
occasion the subject has been under discus
sion, that Denmark had never any right, er-
cept by treaty, to levy these obnoxious tolls,
and that, at the expiration Of the treaty now
in existence. British ships would have a right
to pass free into the Baltic without leave Of
Denmark, and, Of course, without submitting
to be taxed by that State. Are the United
States going to pay their share of the sum de-
manded for the capitalization of the dues; or,
when Denmark has exactsd all she can from
European Commerce, are American ships 10
ride through the Sounds free from the exac-
ton. from which other Maritime countries
have had to purchase exemption? This is
question which must be answered before the
subject Of compensation can be permitted to
be opened in this country. Whatever the is
sue may be it must be perfectly understood
that British ships will no longer submit to pay
these Passing Tolls to foreign States; nor will
the SHIPPING interest consent to be saddled
with the cost of compensation to foreign Pow
ers for the abolition of such imposts as our
Government has admitted, in the present ses-
sion to be iniquitous and justihsble as regards
the Passing Tolls on Shipping levied at our
own Ports. London Shipp'ns List.