The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-11
From the Paris Pays, June 20. !

col NO. ZZ,) that his Count
penpotenary of France, proposed, in the name OF his
government to introduce into the treaty the basis of
maritime law in the form of declaration, spula
ting that, privateerng abolished 2, that neutral
flags covered the cnemys goods, with the exception OF
those which conraband Of s. that neutral mcr
chandse, under hostile flag, unless it be contraband of
war could not be SEIZED A. that blockade to be oblg
atory should be eectvc that is to say, it should be
maintained by force really sufficient to prevent access
to the enemy coast
These four bases admitted and the treaty of Paris
declaring the abolition Of pnvateering will be reckoned
among the great documents which deserve the gratitude
of posterty for 1t reduces far possible the calani
ties consequent upon maritime war, and protects the
interests of general commerce. the interruption of which
would be equally injurious to oil the begerent parties,
in century when the utmost activity of the nations is
devoted to the development Of trade.
The name of Count Waewski, who had the honor OF
proposing this remarkable document will certainly
main attached tot Again has France had the glorious
initiative OF progress and has shown herself worthy of
her civzing mission But it must also be acknowledged
that England, in accepting the declaration proposed by
the French government has made considerable sacrifice
to ideas Of abstract Justice which she has often treated
with disdain and it should not be forgotten.
England in accepting the abolition of prvateering and
in giving up the theory of blockade paper abandoned
all her tradition and threw away the rejected weapons
with which she sustained the struggle against the first
empire II Enggndthat is to say the greatest of the
maritime powershad refused to acccde to the declara-
ton made by Count Walews the adoption of that dcca
ration by the other Powers would havo lost nearly all
Its practical interest and would he only generous de-
claaton of principles without either probable speedy
application.
conformaby to the text Of the treaty, the various Eu-
ropean and American Powers invited to accede to
the four points which form the declaration 1t almost
universally adhered to-
Thirteen States gave in their entire adhesion.
Spain and Mexico do not admit the suppression of pr
Watering, but they admit all the other points.
Finally the United States admit the four points; but
they ask that another may be added to the effect that
the private property Of subjects ctizcns of begerent
nations should be exempted the from seizure by
the respective navies
The American view is still wider than that of the trea
OF Paris but from that fact it exceeds tho bounds of
possibility for 1t implies hc free circulation OF the
my merchandise sailing under the encmys flag, which
would anihiate the superiority of maritime powers for
TO have nothing to fear from fleets OF war; it would suf
nee to refrain from opposing them by'a naval force
deserving these restrictions, the four points Of the dec
mraton may he looked upon integral part Of the
public law of civilized nations This rapid success OBJ
tanned In two years il the best reward for the initiative
taken in the treaty Of Paris War is cruel necessity
but it is the safeguard OF national honor nepcnd
ence The nations cannot, therefore, enter into an
engagement to give it up. But they do their utmost
TO limit its consequences regards private individuals
and third parties-that is to say, ncutras.
This great result is accomplished, and we may
nope that day oil the official notes containing the
adhesons will be arranged and moulded into the text OF
single treaty, which shall form the maritime code Of
nations.