New-York tribune., 1870-11-14
ENGLISH NEUTRALITY.
LORD GRANvILLE's REPLY TO COUNT BERNsToRFF.
Lord Granville, in his reply, dated Oct. 81,

LORD GRANNILLES REPLY BElNSIoRlF'
Lord Granville in his reply, dated Oct 81,
to Count Bernstor5 last dis atch on obligations
thus states the policy OF the british Government:
From the of the outbreak OF the war the Cabinet
has never hesitated to the course which should be
de LIN When eI on the @ Of August an amend
men by which it was proposed to insert III the Foieg
Enlistment act, then under discussion, clause prohibit
ing the expoTtation to beigerents OF arms or
war rejected by large majolty and the same opi-
ions were shown to held in the House OF Lords in the
debate OF Aug s. on the same bill, in which the Lord
Chancellor, the Lord Pfiyy Seal and Lord Cairns TOOK
part Imysclf, in answer to question addressed 10 me
In the House OF Lords by the Marquis OF Cianricrade on
the 22d Of July, went 20 far as to express some dons
whether policy Of prohibition was advisable even IN IN
self defense and In the constant conversations on te
subject which have had with your Excelleney since the
commencement of The war; have invariably explalnsa
to you that tue new Foreign Enst1ent act neither d
regarded the expectation OF munitions of and that
intention to on e S % Seve II .He @ s
In conformity with the established principles oi pupho
Then, after reminding the Count that his former
seres of rrefutabe facts as he called them had nearly
proceeds to demolish fresh accusations. Count Pail
kaOs statement, as reported III the J0unat OWetef was
merely that arms had been ordered rerdnge, not in
England trace be discovered OF the order ever
having been received in this country and 10 is certain
that If 1t was received u was not executed Agaii u
returns show that the supplies Of arms drawn by France
from this country between the two specified dates are
less than those drawn by her RON the United STATES
whence exports have been made approaching the
figures mentioned by bis Excelency. This reference to
the United States suggests expression of surprise that
monopoly OF the German complaints had heen reserved
while the exports from the United states ana
the positive assertion OF the President Of the priy
| leges OF neutrals had elected no remark from the
pant OF the sale Of the Iiypaa and Norseman to the
French Government to be used as store-sips Lord Gran
vile points out that III 0th cases the Nesses Were dls
patched from England before the Foreign Enlistment act
OF 1870 into operation; consequently the owners
stneut act could not be successfully prosecuted under
the provisions of the new act Moreover, the actual
handed over to the purchasers before the passing
Of the act. Two aiduced by Count Bernston
| tIa 9TH n kglp flf
arms prohibited by Government, met by the
nswer that the thfn exeIed re- was IN 3 i1
Spain. In conclusion, Lord Granville congratulaes His
doctrine Of benevolent neutrality though good
offices may he benevolent, neutrality ike arDltraton
cannot be so and, repudating all jealousy OF German
unity repeats his assurance of the friendly and synpa
| thetic feelings OF this country toward Germany.
THE LONDON PRESS ON THE NEUTRALITY CUES
TION.
The Times thinks Lord Granvile's reply to
Count Bernstorf last dispatch the aegeddeparture
from neutrality in permitting the export OF munitions Of
ought settle the controversy. The arguments of
the Foreign Secretary must make their way with all can
did mind, and eventual conviction though reluctant,
must he Until Count Bernstorf adduces some ey
dence In support of his assumption that International law
forbade the sale Of to hcigeIes, The Times must
hold that II is groundless. The Ihnes can say tins with
than ordinary confidence, because IL 30 far agrees
with Count Bernstorff that thinks it desirable the pro-
hbon OF the export OF by neuras 70 beligcrents
should be adopted as an obligation gf international law
IL ia not now, however At present The subjects OF
neutral Powers by international law at liberty 10
trade with bellgcrents In conaband OF war, subject TO
the risk Of capture.
The Telegraph holds that II the duties Of neuras to
begerens TO be altered IL must be by general
sent and through deliberate remOdeng OF the whole
system Of international law not by hapbazard nnova
tiOns which destroy the very character or neutrality.
Such alteration must take place during peace, not
amid the play OF the passions evoked by war; and when
accented, the law must DO honestly observed by
each State moi rejected when anger or caprice or the for
tune Of may tempt to disaNowal OF the great prn-
Ciples involved.
The Daily Aecs points out that Count Bernstorifs arg-
ments really, though indirectly addressed to the
questiOn not OF law but of policy Their true scope anu
purpose prove that the law of nations Is not what
II ought 10 be; and that the rules which have hitherto
regulated the conduct of ncutTals 10 begerents admit
Of Improvement England Is not concerned to dispute
these propositions. while the law is what II II, 10
must be obeyed To change IT, IN order 10 meet the par
tCular circumstances of one of the begerents during
the COnhic-in order tO balance for example Gernmhys
lack OF open scabOar and powerful feet-wOuld not
he neutrality, but "A violation Of neutrality.