The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-22
GENERAL BUTLER'S PROGRAMME.
English Opinion-How the Lowell Letter
Looks Abroad.

From ths Pal Mall Gazette.
For dealing with such a crisis American politi-
clans are provided with an expedient of very vul,
gar and commonplace character, but or very old
date and OF frequently proved efficacy. Ii is TO get
up dispute with Great Britain, and, Dy appeals to
the deep fund OF hatred and jealousy OF this cOun-
try which Is always in reserve, to Call Off attention
from the dangerous collateral controversy. The
rst note OF the familiar air has been struck by Mr.
Benjamin f. Butler, whose abilities ought as little
to be lost sight or AS the scandals OF his personal
and military history; and letter informs Us of
exact variations to which we to be treated. Mr.
Butler shows sound instinct in postponing the
Alabama claims until a new grievance. He has the
impudence, indeed to say that Great Britain fitted
out the ship which became the Confederate cruiser,
which is an assertion exactly on IA a level with
are sending rIIes and cartridges to the Government
OF National Defense; the innuendo In either case
act referred to. But this very audacity Is probably
intended TO cover misgiyiDgs as to the Alabama
lawJ trs; and .he other complaint which Me-. Butler
urges is much more promising for his purposes.
are excluded from certain nshtng grounds on
the coRt OF the Dominion OF Canada, has the
advantage OF raising question which is nearly ia
soluble in itself, and which IS embarrassed beside
by the strong feeling on subject which possesses
the Canadians. The general rule of public law Is
that three miles OF sea counted as land, and
under the exclusive jurisdiction OF the State to
which the adjacent shores belong. But this rule is
modified by another which s to the effect that bays
and estuaies, inclosed by headlands, form part OF
the maritime territory of the State 20 which the
headlands belong, even though there should be
than three miles from either coast 1t
States claim exclusive jurisdiction over Della
ware Bay and over the embouchure CT the Misss-
sippi. The controversy quot at all new one) re-
YiNed by Mr.. Butler is whether the rule applies TO
the Bay OF Fundy between Nova Scotia and New
brunswick. Independently Of some minor comp-
cations which have arisen through treaties, the
American case is that the Bay of Fundy, excepting
three miles from the coast is part OF the high sea-
the Canadian case Is that the whole bay belongs
cusiyely to British jurisdiction. Though 1t would
be easy 10 show that In other parts OF the continent
the Americans have advanced claims which olght
ever estop them from making the present pre-
tension, the question is in itself which nations
might dispute about forever. The law Of nations
provides rules but the correct application or rules
is matter OF fact, and there is no international
tribunal which has jurisdiction over contrOverted
facts. 1t is no doubt true, the other hand, that
the difference is one which any Government acting
in good faith ana In friendly spirit could easily
setfe by az equitable COMPROMISED aud in fact dur
ing The currency OF the reciprocity treaty with
Cauada the controversy has virtually been asleep.
But theIe are very many motives which at the pre-
Sent moment may lead the American GOYeFnment
10 approach the matter In unfriendly spirit, aad
the feeling OF the Canadians, which must be care
fully ckOned with since the consolidation OF the
Dominion, Is too strong to adult OF Que OF those
wholesale but very far from respectful concessions
which this country is in the habit OF making TO the
The anuse OF England to which American polit-
cans have occasionally recourse has been COM
psreo the mo Popery" cry In this country. It is
very vulgar very much dlscredited, only taken up
IN the last resort hut lt Is seldom without effect
Americans The subject Lave failed to he earnestly
assured that nothing Of argument and no form or
Popular appeal Is so scrupuloukly avoided and
utterly despised by ali respectable men Yet
true as this may be, the eplnions stated ia
cool blood bV a maa Of refinement from the
Init States 50 far from renectiGg ihe aOidiDg
popular sentlmenf, do not always even reprssens
his own opinions when under stress OF political
eAiRGncy; nor, indeed, even could we believe each
successive popu ar outcry 10 be hollow and facti-
Ious would II quite follow thatit Is not dangerous.
For Americans very apt 10 commit Ia politics
II. halI.e LiICr which II Ashslen hCiO.c the CJa-
ftdeIate war often committed IN literature. Macy