Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-08-04
Republican County Conventions.
EFFECT OF THE WAR UPON SHIP
PING

The effect of the war upon American
shipping promises to be of favorable
character. Should the contest be of long
duration there is good reason to believe
that our shipping will regain the position
which it lost in the rebellion. Blu, not
withstanding Napoleon's dc laration that
the war will be long we have doubts II Jout
the matter. Rapid communication ly
railroads, the use of the telegraph, the de-
structive enginery employed in battle, and
the complete preparation OF the combat
ants tor decisive trial of strength at an
early day, lead to the conclusion that the
war win be sharp, bloody and brief. This
is no struggle for national existence, and
when their greed for fighting is satisfied
by heavy round or two the belligcrents
may retire without embarrassment.
The condition upon which American
commerce will stand is now settled by the
act of both bclligerents. 1t will not be in
terfered with. Prussia has given notice
that Private property on the high seas will
be exempt from seizure by his Majesty's
ships without regard to reciprocity
France has notified that she will adhere to
the declaration of Paris of 1866, and that
Prussian property in American bottoms
and American in Prussian bottoms will be
respected, unless it is contraband. The
Paris treaty stipulates that priSateering
shall not be allowed; that the neutral flag
covers enemy's goods. excepting contra
band; that neutral goods with the same
exception are not liable TO capture under
an enemy's flag, and that blockades must
be effective.
1.-The effect of this announcement" says
the Philadelphia Gazette, ''is to enable our
merchantmen to carry our own merchan-
disc and that Of the belligerents to all ports
that are not effectually blockaded. This
is an advantage, as the business done in
French and German bottoms must be re-
stricted, and wherever 1t is done must be
charged with heavy war risks from which
our own is exempt The gain is lessened
by being shared with England, that has the
ships and a great trade now. On the other
hand, the commodities wanted consist
chiefly of food, that we produce and ought
to be alb e TO transport 10 the points OF con-
sumption more protitably. or rs proftably
as England. Should England by any pos
sibility become involved. the inevitable
result would be such building up of our
commercial marine as has had no parallel
since 1875 The event is not likely, but
the contingencies of such a war rs seems
to have been opened, cannot be calculated
faster than they occur. England is near
to both countries, and is closely touched
by whatever affects them. She has her
interests and sympathies, and should the
contest extend, would run great risk of
being involved in spite of her wisest cf-
forts.
While there is very little in the existing
state of affairs 10 warrant the highest com
mercial hopes, there is much TO favor the
presumption that our shipping will gain
from the war. We have the crude articles
TO sell and the very articles that the COM
batants must have. No other country can
supply these. Our own flag may carry
them safely, and none other but the Eng
lsh can rival it in this office The Eng
lish competition would be restricted by
the fact that the return cargoes are likely
to be light, owing to payments being made
in our national securities"
Should there be prospect of the war
continuing for any length of time our
Maine masters, owners and builders will
be on the alert. and obtain their share of
the harvest. They are already looking
with interest TO the development OF the
war, and awaiting movements which may
open to their vision future probabilities.
TIE NATHAN MURDER.
nf Mr Rnniamin Nathan in lis