The New York herald., 1870-08-23

is the avoidance Of entangling foreign alli-
ances.- Good sense has proven the wisdom OF
this rule, and our people revere it; our Presi-
dent has just issued proclamation warning
our citizens against any participation, as such,
In the pending struggle, and his words are
universally applauded; but there is no reason
why the great American people should not, at
this moment, make its mighty voice heard in
behalf of peace. France, who listened to us
in Mexico, will listen to us in Europe.
Germany is represented by millions of her
children on this SOIL Neither Power
has reason to suspect or doubt US,
and the wide Atlantic extinguishes
all thought of jealousy. Frenchmen
and Germans alike meet here on
common ground and are regarded as our
brethren. Many of them hold high social and
| even political position among us, and WELD
the wealth that helps to build our future
empire. What more opportune more natural
or more glorious Office, then, for this great gov
ernment to fill than that of disinterested inter-
cessor for peace between two nations of
whom it is the fast and real friend? Is not
this something worthy Of the young, fresh,
whole-souled American craftsmanship that
should distinguish our bright day9 King
William has gracefully acknowledged the effort
Of Plus TX His people hold millions of our
securities and he can do no less by us.
France cannot and will not doubt us. Peace
must quickly come, peace is imminent; the
outspoken appeal of America would, we
earnestly believe, bring the negotiations for
peace within the passing week.
The Presidents Neutrality Proclamation.
The President has thought proper to issue
proclamation declaring the neutrality of the
United States in the war existing between
will be found published in another part of the
paper. Such a proclamation might seem to
some unnecessary, as we are removed so far
from the seat of war; but the President gives
good reasons for the act when he says, "great
numbers OF the citizens of the United States
reside within the territories or dominions of
each of the belligerents and carry on trade
therein;" that great numbers of the sub
jects or citizens Of each of the belligerents
reside within the territory or juris-
diction of the United States and
carry on commerce, trade or other bus-
ness therein" which makes it necessary
to inform all these of the perfect neutral posi-
ton of this country and of the laws that bear
upon the subject Then, the President pro-
perly deemed it important that the citizens of
the United States should know what the
treaties and policy of the belligerents are with
regard to neutrals privateering and the carry
ing of goods in neutral vessels. The interna-
tional law regarding neutrals and privateering
has undergone some changes within the last
few years, and it was proper our people should
be informed of that.
The laws of the United States, as the Presi-
dent says, do not interfere with the expression
Of opinion or sympathy, or with the open man
ufacture or sale of arms munitions of war;
nevertheless they impose upon all persons
within or under the jurisdiction of the United
States the duty of an impartial neutrality.
The President, then, clearly sets forth
what is forbidden by the neutrality
law. 1t is forbidden to accept and
exercise commission to serve either of the
belligerents by land or sea; to enlist or enter
into the service of either as a soldier, marine,
or seaman on board of any vessel of war or
privateer to hire or retain another person to
enlist or enter into such service of the bellige-
rents; to hire another person to 90 beyond
the limits or jurisdiction of the United States
with intent to be enlisted or to be entered into
service as aforesaid; to retain another person
for such purpose; to fit out and arm, or to
attempt to fit out or procure TO be fitted out
and arm, any ship or vessel for the ser vice
of either Of the belligerents; to issue or de-
liver commission for any vessel to the intent
that she may be employed as aforesaid, and
to increase or augment the force Of any ship
of-war, cruiser, or other armed vessel within the
jurisdiction of the United States in the service
OF the belligerents, or by adding to the arma-
ment or equipment thereto Of anything solely
applicable to war. But the neutrality law is not
to be construed to extend to citizen or subject
of either Of the belligerents, who, being tram
silently within the United States, in the matter
of going into the service of his country on
board any vessel that may arrive in the United
States.
The Presidents proclamation shows, too,
that by treaty with Prussia the vessels of
war, public or private, Of that Power, can
carry freely wheresoever they please the ves-
sells and effects taken from her enemy without
being obliged to pay any duties, charges or
fees to officers Of admiralty, of customs or any
others, and that such prizes shall not be
arrested, searched or put under legal process
when they come to or enter the ports of the
United States, but may be freely carried out
again at any time by their captors to the places
expressed in their commissions. The Presi-