The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-21

consup Imat0n to which both were rapidly tending.
III th'. following year. therefore, war was formally
Whereof it is not essential to record here; suffice it
10 say that its results demolished the idea of Eng
iand naval supremacy, and established the fact
that Britannia did not "rule the waves.n
In connection with our subject, however, it may
be remarked that on the restoration of peace by the
treaty of Client in 1915, England did not reinquish
her claim to the right Of search, or abandon her
policy with regard to the privileges of neutral
flag as We shall see by the subsequent events to
which we have now to recur.
THE QUINruPLE TREATY OF 1872
An attempt was made by England in 1912, 10
obtain recognition of her favorte doctrine of the
right OF search, and an abrogaon of the privileges
of neutral vessels the high SEAS on the part of
the great maritime nations of Europe. With this
view, she proposed the famous quintuple ALI
ance but, through the instrumentality of the
United States, the scheme was never completed
General Glass; then American Minister at Paris,
having learned what was ON foot wrote an able
pamphlet against the measure, which was pub
lshed in English and French, and extensively cir
culated The pamphlet appeared opportunity
at the juncture when the Duke de Broglie had
actually signed the treaty on behalf of France, in
London, but while it was yet not ratified by the
Chamber of Deputies, Mr.. Cass also wrote an off
cial letter the subject to M. Guizot then Minis;
ter for Foreign Affairs, from which we give an ex-
tract below.
The pamphlet referred to was laid before the
members of the Chamber ofDeputies simultaneous
ly with the official letter to M. GuiZot Of the 18th
February, 1872 and had the effect Of calling public
attention to the provisions Of the treaty affecting
then unknown to the Deputies, and had great
weight in producing such state of public opinion
as made it impossible for the French government to
ratify what was called the quntuple treaty. 1t
WI led NV hn suhspOuapflV Int
not by France. This pamphlet was translated into
Dutch, and published in Holland, by former Go
vernon General of India who thought the arguments
therein conclusive as to the correctness of the
position of the American government.
The following extracts from the correspondence
Of Cen Cass with Daniel Webster, Secretary Of
State will show the position which the former took
on the question of the treaty.
LEGATION UNITED STATES, |
PARIS, February Is, ls42.
Hon DANIEL WEBSTER Secretary Of State Washington
But have just taken step which renders necessary
full and free report Of the condition Of things here
Ny letter Of the 18th inst to the Minister OF Foreign AT
fairs, copy Of which ! enclose, will make known
laton in which we are placed with the French
government by the signature Of the quntupe
for s Of rS sS ss
deem concerning the which they claim to be
dispensable to its execution. need add nothing upon
hestated at first respecting the true course to be
adopted That was proper TO bring officially to the
ce of the French government the declaration Of that OF
Great Britain that the conclusion Of these treaties
obligation, and conferred right TO violate the flag Of
Of 70
claim Of Great Britain well founded, and in
that event the government Of France was
it into collision with tie United sates-a result |
was certain did not contemplate-or the claim
the preext Of direct attack upon rights and honor
by one of the parties assuming to be governed by the OBJ
Powers; state Of things which gave us right to cali
upon them to dsavow such pretensons and either TO
withdraw from an arrangements which was becoming so
menacDg to US, or 10 declare by solemn act that it
not susceptible Of such construction, and should not
with their consent, be employed for such purpose Ny
the ratification Of the treaty. But considering that
had instructions to take decided measure, and
that would be respectful to the French govern
ment Of whose friendly disposition the United States
have had numerous evidences, and probably quito
useful to state generally the bearing Of the whole matter
upon the United States, without claiming any specific
action, finally determined to take this course, and the
letter TO Mr.. Guzot is the consequence
! The discussion in the Chamber of Deputies and the
almost condemnation Of the treaty will have
indicated 10 you the true state Of feeling here And you
will not fail to appreciate the importance Of the emphatic
declaration of Mr. Guso during The debates that the
cunstsnoes would do the thing The value Of this
statesman in the face Of Europe, hardly be
rated.
The quntupe treaty has yet been ratified by France
nor will 1t be, think without some essential alterations
1t Is undeIsto cd that the English government. dis
satisfied at this determination The Queens Speech how
at the opening Of the session. and Robert re-
marks last week in answer to question Of Lord Palmer
But, certainly, when the British Premier made those re-
marks he knew the discussion in the Chamber Deputies
and the state public opinion here and he ought 70
'hey would incur the responsibility Of such an act
You may naturally think that this s rot very diulo
matte despatch It's not so certainly far diplomacy
consists in mystery either Of thought expression
have felt strongly, and have attempted to epeak plainly
do not belong TO the school Of that well known French
states man who said that language given to conceal
thoughts II necessary, must claim your indulgence for
my candor in consideration OF my motives j see the
difficult position Of my country, and most anxious
That done, have no fear for the result n the sent
ments have expressed are not those Of the government
and people OF my country then have lived stirring life
and mixed with my countrymep in every situation with
cut having learned the American character You will
perceive that in my letter to Mr.. Guzot have taken
course perfectly free TO disavow my conduct
The President will decide the public interest requires
in which placed In the unforeseen emergency which
presented itself have pursued the course that appeared
TO me to be dictated by the honor and interest o,
measures will not be wholly without beneficial results
is now FOR the government to Judge what its duty,
dent servant, LEWIS CAss.
MR.. CAss TO Mr.. GUIzoT.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, /,
PARIS, Feb. ID, 1912.
To BIs Excellency Mr. GuIzoT Minister of Foreign
Affairs
SIR-N
appears to me, Sir that in asking the attention Of his
Majesiys government to the subject Of the Quintupe
Treaty, with view TO its reconsideration, request
ing nothing the part of the United States Inconsistent
with the duties of France to other Powers IT. during the
coGrse Of the discussions upon this treaty preparatory
to the arrangement Of s provisions England has asserted
the pretension she asserts, necessary conse-
quence Of lie obligations, cannot be wrong presuming
that France would not have signed it without guarding
against this impending difficulty. The views of England
have become known since the signature the treaty but
fortunately before its rst aton And this change Of cir
cumstancee may well justify the French government 10
interpreting such remedy II may think is demanded
by the grave interests involved in this question.
avail myself &C.,
LEWIS CASS.
[Private.]