Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-11-09
ForeIRn CompIIcatIons.

The elaborate correspondence which has
already taken place upon the subject be-
tween Mr.. Adams the American Minis
ter, and Earl Russell, is published at
length in the London papers, and has
created considerable agitation in both
countries. The language Of these officials
is exceedingly cautious, Courteous and re-
strained, and the Teal points involved are
carefully cushioned by the usual vague
and roundabout phrases of diplomacy
These points may be diretly stated Mr.
Adams demands indemnity to Americans
for the damage done by Confederate ves-
sells fitted out in British ports, encouraged,
he says, by the precipitate extension of
belligerent rights; the ineifieieney of the
British laws, and the loose neutrality of
the British government. Mr.. Adams sug-
gests the appointment of board Of arbi-
tration to decide the extent of England's
responsibility and fix the amount of in
demnity. Russell, on the other hand, de-
clines the arbitration, refuses to acknowl-
edge the responsibility, denies that the
British government encouraged privateer-
ing, and refuses to allow any third party
to decide upon the laws of England or the
policy of its government, and takes occa-
sion to remind Mr.. Adams that some IF
teen years ago the United States refused a
similar claim presented by Portugal. He
suggests mixed commission, however, to
decide upon the claims which each gov
eminent may agree to place before it; and
with Mr.. Adams intention Of submitting
this proposition to this government, the
correspondence closes.
The facts that the two powers consider
themselves nearly equal in strength, that
both seem to regard their honor as in
yolved, and that there is good deal Of
ill-humor manifested between the people
of the two countries, impart considerable
gravity and Importance to the matter, and
under certain circumstances would be like
ly to lead to war. But of this being the
result now, we have not the slightest fear
The policy of England has been for many
years, and is now peace This is sufficient
ly proven by the course of the British
Government in the war in Italy, the Polish
insurrection, the withdrawal from the alli-
ance with France to conquer Mexico, in the
recent war between Prussia and Denmark
and in the complacency with hwhieh it wit
nesses the inroads Of Russia in Asia. Iu
each of these cases England roared like a
lion in the preface, and piped, with exces-
sive meekness when it came to the point oil
assuming arms. On the other hand, while
4 American diplomacy is in the hands OF
Mr.. Seward, there is little danger of a
war, even should there be good cause for
one. II Earl Russell positively refuses o
back down, Mr., Seward will back down
himself. His diplomacy is simply com
bination OF weakness and duplicity-con-
eilisting when he should command--threat-
ening when he should negotiate. 1t will
be remembered that in the beginning OF
our sectional war, Mr.. Seward talked wal
to the Northern people, whispered peact
to the Southern peace Commissioners, rid
iculed the possibility of war to foreign ma
tions, and in turn deceived all. 1t will be
remembered how Mr.. Seward thundered
about the overthrow of Mexico and the
Monroe doctrine, and how his threats werC
expected to frighten the Austrisns from
her shores and It cannot be forgotten
that all his vAporings have subsidized il
the presence of the accomplished fact o
Maximilian's Empire. 1t will be remem-
bered that Mr.. Seward threatened unut-
terablc things about the Trent affair, anG
it cannot be forgotten how shamefully h,
sneaked out Of it. With these facts il
view it is pretty safe to rely upon the con
tinuance Of pacific relations between Eng
land and the United States, without ia
king into consideration the inability of tn
latter to enter upon new war before re-
covering from the exhaustion incident t,
our recent fratricidal strife.
After the humiliating experiences of tn
last five years, brought upon them by tn