The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-12-02

The European news possesses more than usual
interest, The Feniau movement creates much
uneasiness iQ England and Ireland, where arrests
are daily made, and those found guilty threat
ened with death. The = guilt, however, con-
sists not in actually taking up arms, but in
being suspected Of sympathy with the Fenian
Brotherhood. Had the American Government
dealt as promptly and as severely with the ad-
rocates of Southern treason, when they defed
the Government IN the Halls of Congress-had it
hanged Davis, Hunter. Breckenridge & Co.
then, it might have saved four years of blood
shed. But Southern sympathizers in Europe
would have cried, oh, shame And 50, far more
justly, Americans may cry to England. oh.
shame if these threats are carried out.
The idea that the Irish people, without force
or means of any kind, and shut out by sea from
all foreign aid, can raise even a finger against
the colossal power of England. is so supremely
ridiculous, that the thought Of hanging or shoot
ing an Irishman for wishing his country TO be
free appears the climax of barbarity.
The death of Lord Palmerston occurred on the
18th of October, and was not an unlocked
for event. tie had reached that age when
a mans tenure of life is very frail, and had
for some time given tokens of early decease.
He possessed, in a preeminent degree, the respect
and veneration of the English people. a pie
beian by birth. he rose by his own talent to the
highest position that earthly ambition can coyet,
and, for a term of years almost unprecedented,
controlled the destiny of the greatest and most
extensive Monarchy that has ever existed on
this earth. He will probably be succeeded by
Lord Russell.
The claim of the American Government on
England for reparation for losses by the pirate
cruisers, fitted out in England, which is now
being pressed with some earnestness, creates con-
siderable discussion in England. There can be
no question that, on general principles of inter-
national law. a nation is responsible for the de-
predatory acts of its subjects committed against
another, with which she is at peace, even though
she may use all ordinary means to prevent such
acts. There is an important principle involved
in the question, which should be decided once
for all. For if English subjects can fit out, arm
and sell cruisers to rebels in arms against any
government, American citizens can and will be
allowed to fit out, arm and sell cruisers to Irish
or Fenian rebels in arms against the British Gov
eminent. The principle involved is the same in
either case, and in our opinion the United States
would be responsible for the damage to British
commerce under such circumstances, as the
British Government is now justly responsible in
the present case.
In the spoliation claims against the French
Government, which arose during the war of
1912 to 1918, the American Government insisted
on reparatiOn, which the French Government as
firmly resisted. At last, about the year 1923
or 1880 the French Government instructed its
Minister to inquire Of President jackson, in a
personal interview, whether he really insisted
on the claim being paid. The old General, with
that firm voice and eye which characterized bin
when he was fairly reused and in earnest, an
swered, " By the Eternal, she shall pay or fight"
When the answer was reported to the French
cabinet, the claims were paid without any
further parley. We sincerely hope that no
trouble may arise from the alabama and She
1aadoah claims, but of their juStResS, there is
not a shadow of doubt. And the American
Government is in earnest IN its claim.
European Dates 40 October 2s.
New YORK, Oct. 3l-The steamer Citu of Boston,
from Liverpool the 18th and Queenstown the 18th.
has arrived.
Lord Palmerston. who had been seriously ill from
the effects Of q cold several days, died at half past
nine on the morning of the 18th. Business on the
Stock Exchange and other quarters was suspended,
and q deep and universal regret was expressed by
all parties at his loss. Earl Russell will probably
succeed him, Lord Clarendon taking the Foreign
Office but nothing official has trsnspired.
Files by the steamer Africa have been received.
which contain further information in regard TO the
! Adams-R Russell correspondence. The London .Ntps
gays it should not be forgotten that the claims made
by Spain against the American Government, under
similar circumstances, were only settled by treaty {;
while those made by Portugal furnished material for
argument for over thirty years. If Powers such as
Spain and Portugal, in like circumstances, felt
themselves bound to keep up a discussion until they
obtained some sort of a settlement, il is not probable
that the United States will follow a different course.
AssuredIy Lord Russell's refusal to refer the mat
tiers now in dispute. will not settle them with Morse
s. Smith. ~
The Times says it is just possible to avoid the
payment of e., 000, 600 in money. but We may lose
our opposition on q principle SO unmistakabe as to
cause us. when the cases are reversed, and when the
Americans are neutrale and we are belligerents, to
suffer terribly in person and pocket. We don't ap-
prehend war, for war in these days could not arise
out of this business, but something nearly as bad
may arise in future, when the practice we have de-
Tended may be turned against US in ways that are
hideous even to surmlse.
The Star says Earl Russell is anxious to ssve the
Maritime Powers from responsibility for injury which
their subjects may have unadvisedly caused to bel
ligerents, and has taken a dangerous ground for
maritime nations when they may in turn be sufferers
by such acts. Whatever view may be taken of the
justice of the claims Of the -fld6ama, we trust no
British statesman will fall into the blunder Of plac-
ing our commerce at the mercy Of desperadoes who
may issue from neutral ports during some Of our
future wars.
Earl Russell deserves all credit for his industry In
endeavoring to quiet the mouth Of Mr.. Adams, by
quoting what his grandfather said and did fifty
years ago, but, at the same time, security to COM
merce at the present day is a subject of greater i'm
portsnce to the people OF England.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2.-The London Times of Oct.
18th, says We are sure our Government may de-
pend upon the support of the nation in maintaining
the position it has taken up. If the American Gov
- cOo1y n -nn r-a NTH tn mn