New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-20
THE BRITISH MINISTER AND THE
DALLAS-CLARENDON TREATY..
Correspondence Of Tie PhiladelPhis North American
WAsHISGToS, Friday, May 10, 1917.


WAsHIsGToS, Friday, May 10, 1857.
Lord Napier had a formal interview with the Pres.
dent YESTERDAY, which lasted nearly two hours, IN
reference to the Dallas-Clarendon Treaty. he read
Lord Clarendons dispatch to him on the subject That
dispatch sets forth that the exclusive ground for re-
ieciing the treaty by the British Government IL the
non. confirmation OF the Convention between Hon
duras and Great Britain. All the other amendments
made by the Senate, except that qualifying the article
In regard to Honduras accepted IN Their entirety
and without reseryao by the British Cabinet There
is therefore, mis- understanding as 10 the alleged or
real point Of difficulty.
Lord Napier endeGvored with much earnestness, to
impress the President with the belief that RIO other
than friendly feelings entertained toward the
Administration or the country by the Ministry and
cited expressions from Lord ClarendOns dispatch, as
Justify this language. In conclusion he proposed
10 institute new negotiation, founded upon the con-
ditional acquescence of Honduras. This suggestion
was prop rly and promptly declined by the President,
and there the matter rests TOR the present.
Without any disposition to irrtate the feeling on
either side, or TO say word which might, by posi-
bility, be construed into Willingness to provoke
alienation il must be very evident TO everybody who
has followed the progress Ot these Central American
negotiations, that the reason assigned by the BRUSH
Government is utterly below the dignity and import
arce CT the OCCASION beside being inconsistent with
the recent professions toward the United States,
When the Central American question became seriously
involved, after the departure of Mr. Buchanan from
London, this arrangement with Honduras sug-
ge.ted Il mode of eXtricatng England from the
6arrassing position which She then held of occupying
Rua,an in cOntravenon Of the ClaytopB Treaty
II does not matter who suggested the idea. Being
PROPOSED, the tacit assent of the United States
given through Mr.. Dallas and special Minister now
or recently here, sent fDm Honduras TO conduct
the negotiations which the necessary founda-
ton OF the treaty subsequently concluded between
Lord Clarendon and Mr.. Dallas, and which was rati
fed six weeks ago by the Senate, with certain amend
ments. Without that preliminary step, there would
have been no treaty. and could have been nOne for,
practical and insuperable difficulty st0 ID in the way
as long as England occupied Ruatan and we asserted
the Just construction OF the Cayton-Buwer Treaty
ably maintained by Mr. Buchanan. The arrangement
with Honduras at best mere makeshiit, or
venent mode Of escape. In the estimation Of England
Honduras is nobody, except far "a it may be used
as an instrument for u purpose. When Mr.. Champion
and Mr. Webster, in 1872, patched up bargain 10 settle
these troubles, they quietly sgnlied to Nicaragua,
that, unless she consented to their terms, she would
be crushed between the upper and neither milestone.
And such would have been the result but for the
timely warning Of Tie North american, in disclosing
the obnoxious grounds of that socalled adjustment.
1t is bold and insulting piece of efroDtery to te
with the Government upon any such contemplate
pretext az has been offered. Honduras answers the
end but there are other and more real reasons below
the surface which may take the liberty OF lnyestl-
eating hereafter at length. No one IL deceived or
Inisled by the cause which Is put FORTH because ts
truhulness il a,siiied the very face Of the aega
ton The world knows that Honduras dare not, if
che were inclined, refuse to raty treaty made under
circumstances such as now exist, and therefore II -
no. harsh to suppose there is al unavowed motive
under the rose.
There is no reason TO apprehend any difficulty be-
tween the two Governments resulting from TINS tenn
porary interruption. Lord Palmerson mlscacuiates his
strength if he -upposes the British people will go ex
iremes to support him in any wul aggression onthe
United States, uphold any such bad faith a. he has
Just exhibited He was rebuked and had TO retreat
in the Champion afair, and lis attempted revenge
will find No better favor IN appeal 10 the pub
lie. if i, should have to be made. We stand now
upon the downright Interpretation of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty, and will see VINO can stana 'neF'
longest and best, in the judgment OF upright men.