The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-13
AMERICAN NEUTRALITY.
Oalcial Correspondence on the French Block
ade of New York HaFbsr.


WASHINGTON, Dec. Ill appears from the
official correspondence that on the 4th of Octo-
Der, Secretary Fish wrote to Minister Wash
burne expressing the friendly but strictly neu-
trail position eff the United States towards
France and Prussia, adding
"But this hospitality Is liable to abuse, and
circumstances have arisen to give rise in the
minds of some persons to the apprehension that
the attempts at such abuse have taken place.
am not in possession of facts to justify me In
saving that such has been the case but have
deemed myself justified in calling the attention
of Nj. Berthemy, the French representative at
this capital to the current rumOrs sustained as
they are by the presence of large number of
French vessels upon the coast of the United
States. These vessels have appeared at or near
the entrance of the harbor of New York. off
Sandy Hook, at the entrance of Long Island
Sound, at or near the entrance of Chesapeake
Bay. One or more is represented to have been
anchored not far from Sandy Hook (the main
entrance to New York harsor), and there ia a
difference of statement as to the precise dis
tance at which she lay from the shore, some
claiming that she was within marine league.
But of this there is no positive evidence. She
has entered the port OF New York Gas claimed
German steamer abont to sail thence. Three
of them have put into the harbor of New Lon
don (which looks out upon Long Island Sound,
the eastern entrance to New York harbor,
ayowedly for some small repairs. One recently
asked permission, which was granted, to make
some repairs at the Norfolk Navy Yard, near
the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. All this may
be consistent with an intention of perfect obser-
vance of the neutral character of our waters and
jurisdiction, and with ON entire absence of un-
dertaking any hostile movement against the
vessels of North Germany, from those waters,
or that jurisdiction.
"a large trade has been carried on from the
ports of the United States, approached by the
waters ia which these vessels have thus ap-
peared, by vessels belonging to North Germany.
The appearance of French vessels in these inn
mediate neighborhOods in such numbers and
force does not fail to excite the alarm of these
| vessels, and must have the effect to a greater
or less degree 10 diminish that trade.
''The United States are not prepared at pre-.
| sent TO say that any actual violation of inter-
national law has been committed, or that the
hospitality of these waters has been positively
abused. But the lowering of the vessels of
| war of a belligerent on the coast, near the en-
| trance of the principal ports of friendly
| power, does not interfere with the trade OF the
| friendly power.
| The Interruption of the regular communica-
| lion with you, by reason of the investment of
4 Paris, has led me to represent to NJ. Berthemy
| our views on this subject, and to say that,
| although the vessels of either belligerent may
| not actually shelter within the jurisdiction OF
! the United States, and proceed thence against
| the vessels OF its enemy, this Government would
| regard as an unfriendly act the lowering of
| such vessels upon the coast of the United States
near its Shores in the neighborhood of its ports,
and in the track of the ordinary commerce OF
these ports, with intent to intercept the vessels
! of trade of its enemy.
Il have requested N. Berthemy to make
| known these views to the French Government,
and to express the confident hope of the Pre-
sident that there may be no cause of complaint
on the part of this Government, by reason of
any such lowering by the vessels of the French
Government. You will be pleased to take an
early opportunity to present the same view to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which you may
| do by reading to him this despatch"
M. Berthemy subsequently called at the De-
partment of State and showed to the Secretary
letter addressed TO him by the French com
mander in the port of New York, stating that
bis vessels had put into port only under stress
of weather and for repairs, having no intention
| to watch for the German steamers.
| Among the many other documents is the fol-
lowing from Secretary Fish, addressed to Min
lister Washburne by telegraph
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, Nov.
I5-Washburne, Paris:-The President instructs
me to say that whatever you and Read, OF
either, desire or find ii convenient to leave
Paris, you are at liberty to do so. In that
event, he or you, or both, will go to Tours and
communicate with the proper officials there
Inform Read of this. FISH, Secretary.