Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-04-23
British Neutrality-Is 1t Peace or War

British Neutrality-Is 1t Peace or War
The relations between this country and
England are more threatening than at any
time since the Trent affair. In'eed, it is
quite within the range of possibilities that
war with that power will be declared
within the next sixty days. Recent de-
bates in the House of Commons indicate
determination on the part Of the English
Government not to interfere with the
business of building navy in the ports of
Great Britain for the rebels. In a debate
on the 9th ult., the Solicitor General
said that /" if the Government had d.
| rectly or indirectly aided in fitting out
| hostile ships, the Americans would have
| ground for complaint, but not if private
individuals did so, and their offence would
be against the law of the country, and not
against international law, which did pro-
hibit them from dealing with either bel
ligerent, subject to the penalty of capture
and confiscation."
If British subjects who fit out pirates to
prey upon our commerce, are only amena-
BILE to British law, and if furthermore,
British authorities wink at these otfenses,
taking no steps to prevent or punish them,
the consequences to this country are essen
| TALLY the same as if that Government itself
| fitted out fleets for our enemies. 1t is so
| regarded by our Government, and Mr..
Seward, it is said, has already forwarded
dispatches to England, stating that the
United States will regard such acts in the
future as unfriendly, which is tantamount
to saying that it will treat them as the
acts of hostile power which means war.
The London correspondent of the New
York Times, writing on the 2Sth, in allu-
sion to the debate on the previous day,
gives the following reasons for the prompt
itude with which English capitalists in
| vested in the "Confederate" loan:
| Mr. Bright declared that steamers. ircnclads
and rams were building now for the Confederate
Government. The localities of fourteen Of them
have been given; but the Government cannot in
| rerfere. A WnOle ueet 10 preparing Iapiuly 6s
| possible, ostensibly for the Emperor OF China.
| Everybody knows they arc intended to open the
! Confederate ports. Everybody knows that the
Confederate loan was raised to purchase their out
| fit. This the reason why eighteen millions
| nearly 100000, o00-was subscribed. when only
| SIS 200, 600 wanted. This was the reason why
the stock went up to par and to five per cent. pre-
MUM, though taken at eighty and put On the mar.
| ket at ninety.
The simple truth Of the matter is that, with the
| active sympathy of the upper clssses, and the
ne utrality" of the Government, strong party of
English capitalists, cotton Spectators, ship build
ers and Merchants have taken up the cause Of the
South in earnest and moan to put it through They
| have embarked their millions and do not mean to
| loose them. The Government cannot interfere to
prevent it, and has no disposition to do As
Lord Pslmerston said last night, if they attempted
| to amend the law, they might make it worse. The
Government will be neutral. 1t may even pass
over the seizure of the PeterhoF by Capt. wilkes
They will let the North buy all the "hardware" in
Birmingham, but they neither can will prevent
| the departure of a single of the fourteen
| steamers which Mr.. Bright says are fitting out for
the Confederate Government. England, as . Gov
eminent, is not at war with you, but English CAPT
taiists and manufacturers ar. and do see how
| it is to be helped.