The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-15
No. o. so.
The British Neutrality Report.

From the New Orleans Pcayune]
| The Government commission named by the British
Cabinet to inquire into the workings of the neutrality
laws and amendments proper to be made to enable
the Government to fulfil all its international obiga-
tions have got through with their laboEs and made
their report. The promptitude with which they have
acted in contrast to the usual procrasnatons OF
public business How not to do it is the ordinary
official rule in England, here. In this the work
has been done in an uneommonly brief period, aud
done thoroughly, gzya-v --g.f.f g- an
| The Commission composed of very eminent
men, including two Lords Chancelors several learned
Judges and public men of high political standing OF
both of the great parties. Among them Mr.. Phili-
more, the distinguished author of work on public
law, and Mr.. Vernon Harcourt the author ofthe we'll
letters on this class of questions printed under
the signature of Historicus The Commission was as
able and independent as could be well made up from
the two great PARTIES "a -z7aq,a rr-s~~
The Commission dealt with the subject in very
comprehensive spirit. They refused to be guided by
any nice line of determinations to what constitutes
exact duty under international law; but took as the
basis of their recommendations the moral obligations
of nations to maintain strict eutraty and on that
to make code of municipal regulations which would
effect that object whether required not by the strict
letter of international law. rf..-.. ---.--
In this temper they recommend certain alterations
in the law and Improvements in the forms of plead
ing indictments under the neutrality law, the
end that trial may be reached the merits without
delay. eErAss,- q r. ,.-s.sz -- s.5
Among the new provisions recommended are these:
A prohibition against the preparing or fitting out
from any British port, of any naval or military expe
don against any State with which Great Britain is
peace, whether such State be at with any other
State or not. ..
Making it misdemeanor-ss ,r.-E .9.5.~, -.r-
l. To fit out, arm, dispatch, cause to be dis
patched any vessel with INTENT knowledge, that it
will be employed by any foreign power, in against
another, with which Great Britain is at peace;
g. To build or equip within British jurisdiction any
snip, the saaesAall aftes being
fitted out and armed g either within without the
British domnions, be employed in that way -or
8. Commence or attempt to do, or aid in doing
these acts.
There is special section containing ten provisions
for regulating and making efficient the powers of the
executive and the courts. .... .. ........ .-....
1t appears that the commissioners were not unani-
nous all points. Mr.. Vernon Harcourt dssents
from the provision which makes it a msdemeanor to
build ships for sale apart from the question of equip
ping and arming them. ...... .-+,.-..r..,. -,
This part will also attract attention in this country
fit be designed is generally supposed, that these
in the neutrality laws to be the basis
of concurrent legislation the part of the United
States and Great Britain We have had a great deal
said about the duty of preserving neutrality, which
may be defined rights of beilgerents, but in this
country there has always been jealous regard for the
rights of neutras. There will be very serious qnes-
ion instantly raised in America against such legisa-
ion, the ground that Great Britain is going far
ana TOO last IN 1aVor OF Degerency When she seeks
% establish rule between nations that it shall be a
forbidden branch of trade to build ships for sale that
sfter being armed and equipped elsewhere, may be
lsed in The rights of neut1als not to be has
lily surrendered in order to give security to preten
'ons of belligerents. great deal was angrily said
n this country in time of which it will net be
ound expedent to insist literally carrying out in
lines of peace.
1t is also recommended that it be made misde-
neanor to engage any person to quit the country
my representation whatever if it be the intent to en-
'loy him in foreign military service. +, . .-
1t is further recommended that all prizes of neutral
essels brought into British jurisdiction, if captured
" any vessel in the employ of beigerent, which has
'een built sent out of England in violation of the
neutrality act SHALL due proof be returned to the
'wners from whom they captured, and no vessel
which has got out Of British jurisdiction, against the
neutrality laws and becomes employed in the service
any belligerent government at war, shall be admit
nto any British port thereafter. -.7 ,-z
These recommendations have yet to take the shape
# bill and pass through all the stages of legislation
efore they become law.
In the meantime, these subjects will form very
romnent topic in the negotiations with the United
tates on the subject of the Alabama claims and kim
red questions upon which the two Governments will
aturaly wish to be in accord in the effort establish
a International code to which they expect to obtain
le general assent of nations e-'--1 .-.s-