The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-12-18

luQlce OF IlOnuufds- DtlnB III ulIeCb OPpOSl-
lion to the spiri: and meaning of the Clayton
and Bulwer treaty as understood in the Unit
ed States, the Senate rejected the entire
clause, and substituted in its stead a simple
recognition of the sovereign right of Hondu-
ras TO these islands 10 the following language:
"The two contracting parties do hereby mu-
tualy engage to recognise and respect the
islands of Ruaian, Bonaco, Utila, Barbaretta,
Helena, and Morat, situate in the Bay of
Honduras, and off the coast of the Republic
OF Honduras, as under the sovereignty and as
part of the said Republic of Honduras"
Great Britain rejected this amendment, as
signing as the only reason that the ratifica-
tons of the convention of the 9th August,
1856, between her and Honduras, had not
been exchanged, owing to the hesitation of
that Govern ment" Had this been done, it
is stated that sher Majesty's Government
would have had little difficulty in agreeing to
the modification proposed BY the Senate,
which then would have had in effect the same
Specification as the original wording."-
Whether this would have had the effect
whether the mere circumstance of the ex-
change of the notifications of the British con-
vention with Honduras, prior in point of time
10 the ratification of our treaty with Great
Britain, would, sin effect" have had "the
same Specification as the original wording"
and thus have nullifed the amendment of the
Senate, may we'll be doubted. IL is, perhaps,
fortunate that the question has never
arisen.
The British Government, immediately after
rejecting the treaty US amended, proposed to
enter into new treaty with the United
States, similar in all respects to the treaty
which they had just refused to ratify, If the
United States would consent to add to the
Senate's clear and unqualified recognition of
the sovereignty of Honduras over the Bay
Islands the following conditional stipulation:
aWheneyer and so soon as the Republic of
Honduras shall have concluded and ratified a
treaty with Great Britain, by which Great
Britain shall have ceded, and the Republic Of
Honduras shall have accepted, the said is
lands, subject to the provisions and condl-
tons contained in such treaty."
This proposition was, Of course, rejected.
| After the Senate had refused to recognise the
British convention with Honduras of the
9th August, 1856, with full knowledge of
its contents, it was impossible for me, neces-
sarly ignorant of "the provisions aud c0ndi.
,ions" which might be contained in future
convention between the same parties, to sane.
| ton them in advance.
The fact is that when two nations like
Great Britain and the United States, mutually
DESTROYS, as they are, and trust ever may be,
of maintaining the most friendly relations
with each Other, have unfortunately conclud.
ed treaty which they understand in senses
directly opposite, the wisest course is to alb
rogate such treaty by mutual consent, and
to commence anew. Had this been done
promptly all difficulties in Central America
would most probably ere this have been ad-
iusted to the satisfaction of both PARTIES
The time spent in discussing the meaning OF
the Clayton and Bulwer treaty would have
been devoted to this praisewOrthy purpose,
and the task would have been the more easily
accomplished because the interest Of the two
countries in Central America is Identical, be-
ing confined TO securing safe transts over oil
the routes across the isthmus.
Whilst entertaining these sentiments,
shall nevertheless not refuse to contribute to
any reasonable adjustment of the Central
American questions which is not practically
Inconsistent with the American Interpretation
of the treaty. Overtures for this purpose
| nave UttU ftCtutl iDuuO ny siO DiiNoh Wv
eminent in a friendly spirit, which cordially
recprocate; but whether this renewed effort
will result in success am not yet prepared
to express an opinion. a briet period will
determine.
With France our ancient relations Of friend
ship still continue to exist. The French Gov
eminent have in several recent instances
which need not be enumerated, evnced n
spirit of good will and kindness towards our
country which heartily reciprocate. 1t is
notwithstanding, much to be regretted that
two nations whose productions are of such q
character as to invite the most extensive ex-
changes and freest commercial intercourse
should continue to enforce ancient and obso-
lete restrictions Of trade against each other
Our commercial treaty with France is in this
respect an exception from our treaties with oil
other commercial nations. II jealously levies
discriminating duties both on tonnage and on
articles the growth, produce. or manufacture
of the one country, when arriving iu vessels
belonging to the other.
More than forty years ago, on the Bird oil
March, 1915, Congress passed an act offering
to all nations to admit their vessels laden
with their national productions into the ports
of the United States upon the same terms
with our own vessels, provided they would
reciprocate to us similar advantages. Thi,
, act confined the reciprocity to the produc
, tons of the respective foreign nations who
, might enter into the proposed arrangement
! with the United States The act Of May "a
1928, removed this restriction, and offered {
similar reciprocity TO all such vessels without
reference to the origin of their cargoes. Upor
these principles our commercial treaties anC
arrangements have been founded, except will
France; and let us hope that this exception
may not long exist.
Our relations with Russia remain, MS they
have ever been, on the most friendly footing
The present Emperor, as well as his prede'
cessors, have never failed when the occasion
offered, to manifest their good will to on
country; and their friendship has always beer
: highly appreciated by the Government ant
people of the United States.
With all other European Governments, ex
! cept that Of Spain, our relations are rs peace
, full as we could desire. regret to say tina
no progress whatever has been made sine
the adjournment of Congress toward the set
Element of any of the numerous claims OF on
citizens against the Spanish Government
Besides, the outrage committed on our fla!
a by the Spanish war.frigate Ferrolana on tn
9 high seas, off the coast Of Cuba, in March
t 1855, by firing into the American mail steam
= or FL Dorado, and OBTAINING and searching
/ her, remains unacknowledged and unredress
{ ed. The general tone and temper OF tn
! | Snnnish Govarnment towards that of tn