New-York tribune., 1870-12-15


! to insist that future negotiations shall take
place at Washington pass out of sight There
can be no doubt of the judgment and discre-
tion with which Gen. Schenck will execute
eyery commission with which he may be
charged. His long experience OF public AFFAIRS
his former diplomatic service, his broad ac-
ouaintance with men and measures, especially
fit him for precisely the work in hand. His
integrity and energy of character not only
render it impossible that he should be sub
iected to any undue social or political influ-
ences. but, what is of equal practical import
ance his reputation In this respect is 80 well
established throughout the country that he
will never be suspected of anything like weak
ness or subseryiency. He will make none
other than a just and honorable treaty-and
any treaty he makes will meet with favor
able reception at the hands of the Senate and
the country.
A better arrangement can probably be arrived
at in London than would be possible i'll Wash
ington. The British Minister wOuld be ham
pered by the strict instructions which are q
tradition of the English Foreign Office, and by
constant apprehension of a jealous public feel
ing ut home If the negotiations are con-
ducted in London, the Cabinet can decide with
full knowledge of all circumstances touching
the American demands, and can determine,
better than could any Embassador just how
much of national pride and prejudice can
safely be sacrificed for the purpose of remedy
ing a great wrong and ayerting great dan
ger. Besides if an arrangement be cons'lm-
mated between Gen. Schenck and the British
HI. nd ia
porters in Parliament will be at once rallied
in solid phalanx to the defense and mainte-
nance of the measure. The work once done
would be done finally, and = prompt ratifca-
ton at Washington would quiet forever this
vexing and perilous controversy.
There are many reasons why an effort
should at this time be made to arrive at
term of this dormant war between the United
States and England The bitterness of the
early resentment has, to great extent, died
away in this country, and our claims, az now
formulated by the State Department, contain
nothing but the demand for just c0mpensa-
ton for losses actually suffered by the fault
of the English Government, and such definite
acknowledgment of responsibility as is
necessary to fix, in the international law of
the future, the rights and duties of neutrals
in similar contingencies If we can Judge
anything from the outgiyings of prominent
organs OF public opinion, and from the more
cautious and more authorized uttennces OF
public men, it would really seem that the
time has come when the English Government
is ready to meet us in the discussion OF the
Alabama claims on q basis compatible with
our rights and honor. That this anticipation
is shared by the Administration seems to us
to be indicated by the appointment OF Gen.
Schenck He would not be offered, nor would
he accept, the mission to England as term
of honorable and gilded exile He would not
be sent, nor would he 60, except under the
assurance that q reasonable prospect exists OF
/ finally putting to rest this harassing and un-
| wholesome quarrel.
There is another subject of dispute, to which
we have before referred, which has not re-
ceived from the press of England nor of
America the attention which it deserves. In
immediate practical importance, the Fishery
question is not second to the Alabama claims.
In fact, it is the more dangerous in its immi-
nent possibilities We may discuss with some
coolness a wrong done years ago, but the
daily outrages committed on our hardy and
be redressed promptly, or we must abdicate at
once all pretensiOn to the protection of our
citizens anywhere. We do not dispute the
right of the Dominion to legislate against us
in an unfriendly sense, but we cannot endure
! fragrant violations Of their own statutes against
us, and shameful disregard of international
| law Our Government has persistently claimed
! that our fishing rights on the northern coast
guaranteed by the Treaty of 17S3 have not
been abrogated or surrendered in principle by
| subsequent conventions. But even If this pO-
| sition were controvertible, there is no pretense
| of Justice in the Canadian claim to exclude
our fishing vessels from those wide-mouthed
| bays and gulls the entrances To which are
more than two leagues in width. AS far as
| the authority of publcists can decide any
thing, that point is already decided in our
favor. But in spite of our right and our pro-
| test there is scarcely week which does not
| bring some report of the seizure or cOndcmna-
ton of American vessels by the officers of the
| Dominion, and the consequent ruin of those
honest and humble workngmen who have en-
barked their scanty earnings in the trust that
their Government would protect them.
This matter is attracting at last the slow
notice of Englshmen. Several journals have
denounced the stupid hostility of the provin-
cial officers. Only few days ago, member
of Parliament, addressing his constituents
spoke with frank disgust of this wicked and
wanton provocation of a great Power. 1t is
true that, in the face of all these facts,
leading organ of the Democratic party in this
city has had the silly efirontery to sneer at
the American demand for decent treatment to
our fishermen, and to pretend to regard the
whole question as a personal affair of Gen.
Buffers. But serious men here and in England
| recopnize Mainly enough tho ainister osnact of