New-York tribune., 1870-12-05
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

To the EditOr Of The Tribune
SIR: Having in view the precipitancy with
which opinions have been expressed in relation to the
position taken by Russia in regard to the Treaty Paris
not amss to make public some ideas this sub
ject believed not to be unworthy attention.
First: In question arising Of public nature between
Russia and the other Powers OF Europe it is most natural
that the sympathes OF the American people should be
with Russia the longexting and seadas friend Of our
country during its cNigeuCies
Second: In question between Russia and Great
Britain or between Russia and France, II is obvious that
it an obligation OF gratitude 10 weigh with care the
claimed rights Of the former being those of friend
before any grounds is taken with either Of the latter
Powers they having been in fact the enemies OF our
Union.
Third: In question such that raised by Russia in
her determination 10 require modification OF the Treaty
Of Paris the United States, maritime nation. have a
direct interest as a matter regarding the policy Of ma
tions 1t is essential part Of that policy that the
Of every nation should be increased "a far as
consistent withus interests thus furnishing increased
hostages for good conduct toward the preservation Of
peace
Fourth. In order 10 that increase t IS essential that
each nation in The present state Of international law,
should have full, unrestricted power to keep up and
employ maritime force commensurate with its mari
time interests.
rim: To the full cxertion Of that maritime force it is
necessary that it should have free access 90 and rcgress
from all the seas on which commerce is carried
Srh treaty precuding such free cgrcSs and rcgreSs
denies TO the restricted party that equality Of relations
which the essential foundation Of independence among
nations as that equality is Of the rights Of liberty, which
has been defined, the enjoyment of common privileges
Seren The general public policy OF the world in the
great interests Of peace forbds the imposition OF terms
by the successful party parties in war; not only
hmilatns TO- but infringing the sovereignty OF the un-
successful party.
Eighn: The command OF all the requisite means TO
protect its coast line is an essential incident of that
sovereignty, whether such means consist in maintaining
a military marine arsenal near that coast liuc or any
other preparations for, or lawful instruments o. war
The eleventh and twelfth articles Of the Treaty OF
Paris Of the Goth Of March, 1856, forbid Russian fleet
from entering the Dardanelcs from the Black Sea- limit
Ing its fleet in that to 10 small steamers. They also
prohibit both Russia and Turkey from maintaining on tho
coast Of that sea, any military marine arsenal
These articles are deemed a cOntravcnton Of most, II
not all, the previous positions As practical ilustra-
ton let be supposed that England and France uniting
with the Rebel States in the recent conflict had imposed
similar upon the United States to the Gulf Of
Mexico how would the people Of the United States
gard such terms Would they not avail themselves Of
the first favorable opportunity TO free this nation from
such bondagel or supposng the success OF the recent
Rebellion and that England had been able To and had
imposed restrictions upon the navigation Of our great
Western lakes would not the rallied power OF our loyal
people have sought the first favorable opportunity to
strike OF the letters! If So is it TO be expected that
Russia with the power TO DO, would he slow to exert
that power when she the opportunity
But il may asked IS not the naturalization OF the
Black Sea, which the Treaty Of Paris imposes in tho
interests OF peace and therefore meritorOusl wide
and important reply is that general pacts limiting war
or prOmOtiye Of peace embracing the community of
nations are the proper offices Of enlightened cyliza-
tom and none were more 10 he desired than grand
pact forbiddug in all future time al ocean war, incud-
ing blockadeS-none TO which the Efforts Of the world
statesmen ought more earnestly be directed but that
an enforced naturalization OF part Of the ocean, from
its very nature an incentive 10, and 90 result in,
war. Cotcrminous controversies perhaps upavOid-
able Let wars he confined to them, but let the vast
ocean be the secure, Wdsrbed highway Of all peoples.
These remarks seem TO be fully confirmed in their
fitness by the state OF the recent pOndence between
Russia and Great Britain as to the Treaty Of Paris in
which it is the latter nterms Of little moderation,
has insisted upon the full performance Of and obedience
TO all the conditions and covenants Of that treaty.
The question OF public faith raised and by nation
which toward has disregarded its faith. Let rs
see how that question stands Russia prOnOunces this
treaty TO have been Generous at the time II was CON
cuded." leaving her "in position become more and
more intolerable" and against which the national SEN
timcnt protests" avOwing desire to in an
equitable arrangement the rcpose Of the East
and the equilibrium Of Europe stating the failure Of
repeated efforts her part To obtain conference OF all
the parties to the treaty Is She according 10 the law Of
nations, bound to fulfill it
Pufendorf vol H. p. $50, has this language: cit IS
then say, in my opinion, that in the case of
nation being reduced by superiority Of arms 10 make
dsadyantagcous peace, nothing hnders, that II dis
pcnses ITSELF If il safely from executing the articles
of the treaty else with time takes satisfaction OF this
injury the first favorable opportunity which presents
itself" In confirmation he quotes the profound Poly
bus sustaining the second Punic war.
The language OF Vattel Is not less explicit. The na-
ton itselL@ he remarks, &" being necessarily
obliged to perform everything required for its
preservation and safety, cannot enter into en-
eagements contrary 10 its indispensable Obga-
tons" treaty pernicioas 10 The state IS null and not
at all obligatory, conductor OF "a nation has the
power to enter into engagements to do such things
are capable OF destroying the State for whose safety
the Government is intruscd To him" As authority this
systematic writer remarks " Ihe States General Of
France assembled AT Tours engaged Louis XII 10 break
the treaty he had concluded with the Emperor Maxi
milan and the Archduke Philip his son. because that
treaty was perniciOus 70 the Kingdom"
This argument aud authority were urged iu Washing
toms Cabinet against the provision In the treaty ~ 1873
West India colonies and the first favorable opportunity
which presented itself taken 10 berae Ms from this
endaugerng stipulation. tlNts.
Neto- York, Dec. Z, 1870
By m informal arrangement eoucul April 1877 between Mr
Rush Acting Secretary Of STATE aud Mr Bago British Minister here
s states aud Britain embraced stipulation that part,
DESIRING y should cas- to ai s 5 I' mo- ~ 1 s, lbs afIis
' GaSo, S1s Sa;., .g, sdI ,T r., 'op.fs & lated
Lieut. Henry w. Kingsbury, while serving in
the United states Army, ordered an expedition,
and bcfore starting made his VIII, bestOWing large