The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-29

STATES ana England In regard to Mexico; aud a.
the latter has ordered an inquiry into the con.
duct Of its representative there there ia no doubt
that the Vaccinations Of Otway and Gabriac,
which have 30 much contributed to proloug Next
can discord, will soon be brought to an end, If
they are not already stopped.
The Cession or Bslixe-Protests In Qua
temala.
Some weeks ago we announced the conclusion
of treaty between Great Britain and Guate-
mala by the terms Of which an unconditional
hitherto known as Belize, or British Honduras
We then stated that the ratification Of the treaty
had met with strong opposition in the Guate-
malan Coasgio del Eaado, or Council of State, and
YVES only carried by majority of three votes.
We are now able to publish the diaamen or
protest Of the minority Of the Council against
the ratification Of the treaty, reported by the
Councillor Valenzuela on behalf Of his col
leagues in the opposition. 1t is document of
much political interest, and we have no doubt
will reach our own government for the first
time in the columns Of the HERALD; for 1t is
too much to suppose that either Mr.. Beverly
Clark, our extra.eficient Minister in Guate-
mala, or the equally efficient Mr.. Dallas
our imposing Minister in London, knows any
thing either of the treaty or the protest.
Knowledge of this kind Ia not necessary to the
formal and punctual drawing of salary, which
seems to be the chief occupation Of the well paid
functionsries in question.
The last steamer from England informs US
that Mr.. Wy Ike, who, as Consul General of Great
Britain in Guatemala, negotiated this treaty, has
been appointed Envoy Extraordinary in Central
America We cannot suppose that he is to su-
persede Sir William Gore Ouseley, and are led
to believe that The appointment is made in recog-
milton of bis services in concluding the treaty,
and to enable him to exchange its Publications
with dignity becoming its Importance.
In referring to this cession we have hitherto
abstained from any discussion of the general
commercial and industrial results which may
follow on it, but have confined our
selves to the political aspects Of the
case. These are sufficiently momentous,
so far as the United States is concerned,
and will no doubt revive in an intensified
form the unsettled questions with Great Britain
in regard to Central America Senior Valenzuela
has very clearly pointed out the issue which
must inevitably come up with the coDsumma'
tion of this treaty, from its incompatbilty with
the provisions of the convention of 1850 known
as the Clayton Bulwer treaty. That provides
that neither Great Britain nor the United States
shall occupy, or assume, or exercise dominion
over any part of Central America" By the
fact of treating with Guatemala, Great Britain
comedies that Belize falls within the area re-
served by the convention of 1850, politically as
well as geographically; and over this consider
able portion Of Central America she effectively
assumes, under the present treaty, all the rights
and titles Of domiDion-precisely what she binds
herself not to do in her convention with the
United States. Her treaty with Guatemala,
therefore, is an open and unqualified violation,
in letter and speech, Of her convention with the
United States, and her bad faith towards the
latter Ia pointedly used by Senior Valenzuela
in opposition to the treaty he was called on to
raGfy; for, he argues, if Great Britain violates
her treaties with powerful country like the
United States what can weak State like
Guatemala expect from the same unscrupulous
hands?
1t is rather humiliating, we must confess to
be reminded by local statesman in Guatemala
that we are quietly submitting to the degrade
ton of adhering to a convention ourselves,
while the other contracting party openly and
persistently violates its provisions, as in the
case of the colony Of the Bay Islands. Let us
confess the fact; but let US at the same time
hope that we have manliness and selfrespect
enough to Insist on an immediate and uncon-
ditional reputation Of all acts on the part Of
Great Britain inconsistent with the convention
in question, or else insist on its immediate
and total abrogation. The new infringements
on its provisions involved in the treaty with
Guatemala must bring up the question, and
will, we hope, finally dispose of it. It has in all
respects fulfilled the predictions made of it by
Mr.. squier, in reply to Mr.. Clayton's letter com
municating it for the information of the govern
ments Of Central America-"that it would moi
fail to create greater difficulties than it was de-
signed to remedy"
We are well aware that the British government
will claim that Belize was excepted from the Cd.
erations of the convention Of 1850, by the terms
ofan understanding between Messrs. Clayton and
Bulwer when they exchanged its ratifcations
But no such ca post aco and private understanding
can in any way affect the treaty, or bind the
United States. That power is vested in the
Senate of the United States only, and the notes
exchanged between Sir Henry Bulwer and Mr..
Clayton are utterly without binding force. They
are not worth the paper they are written on.
There stands the convention, single and intact
1t is clear and explicit and Great Britain can
not obtain territory of Guatemala, or any other
American State by treaty or otherwise, except
in violation of its express and clearest provisions
The treaty in question is therefore an act Of
bad faith and an insult to the United States. 1t
is an outrage, furthermore, on Guatemala, not