Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-12
British government expresses its regret at

, British government expresses its regret at
the acts complained of by the American
government. Approaching the principal
difficulty in such spirit and with the pur-
pose of settling it upon our own basis
there seems to be no possibility of disa-
greement about it. Another board of ar
bitrators will examine minor and miScel-
laneous claims between the two govern
ments, which have arisen from causes
since 1861, such as damages to individuals,
these perhaps from Fenianism, but the
cotton bonds are not to be taken into ac-
count. In this manner all the questions
arising from the rebellion which have oc-
casoned trouble between the two coun-
tries are to be settled. The conditions
appear fair and give general satisfaction.
They are better than it was expected
could be had after the failure of Ministers
Johnson and Motley to accomplish any
thing. They seem to be all that we could
ask. The basis of settlement once agreed
upon there can be little difficulty in ar
ranging the claims. Thus a grave ques-
ton of national disquet, always inviting
hostilities between England and America,
and destroying the harmony which should
exist between their peoples, is disposed of
SO far as the Commission could do it.
The questions arising from disputes
about the Canadian fisheries are also az
ranged in the same amicable spirit Our
fishermen are to have all the privileges of
| fishing along the shores of the Dominion
that they desire, in return for which we
are to yield to the Canadas certain COM
mercial privileges. The equivalent which
we are to give for the fishing privileges
is matter which the Senate should look
carefully after. We have been worsted
at the game of reciprocity in times past,
and may be again. The rights secured to
our fishermen are liberal, but we know to
our cost that there is such thing as giving
more than they are worth. Just what the
value of the privileges granted in ex-
change is does not yet appear from the
statements published, nor how they were
estimated. Our experience in reciprocity
should prove a reminder that this part of
the treaty deserves careful attention. The
opening of our markets to the Canadas is
vital question to them, while to us there
is little to gain by such step, even under
the most favorable aspect. We are forty
millions of people while they are but four
millions, SO that small opening for them
to our trade is equal to pretty large one
in the other direction.
The reference of the San Juan bound
airy dispute to the arbitration Of the En-
peror of Germany will be satisfactory we
have no doubt. There is but little invol-
we'd in the question at the best, and to
consent to arbitration is to end it in peace.
There will probably be no division in the
Senate over this arrangement, as none
will object to the umpire chosen, and none
can hesitate as to the expediency of settling
the dispute at this time.
There have been suggestions and ex-
pectations that the treaty would pass the
Senate with but little discussion, but such
is not. according to appearances, to be the
case. 1t is better that it should be thorough
| ly examined and weighed in all its provis-
ions and bearings than to be pushed
through in hot haste. The propriety of
making it public before final action by the
Senate, has been discussed, but we pre-
sumo the main facts are already before the
people. So far as we are able to Judge
from what we know by the revelations
made, it seems favorable treaty and like
| ly to be ratified by the Senate. Should
this be the result we may congratulate
ourselves upon the happy settlement of
several troublesome and threatening ques-
tons, the chief of which is the Alabama
claims. We shall then be free from all
liabilities of being plunged into foreign
war with any power, and may look for
ward to the continuance of national pros
perity, the complete establishment of
peace and reconstruction in the South, and
to the steady payment of our national debt
az" INV iouuStioh vi liie puiuehS vi tdAd-
ton. 1t is better that the Alabama claims
be settled honorably if they can, and
the principle established that the govern
ment which allows such cruisers to plum
der their neighbors must pay heavy
penalty, than TO leave them open as an
occasion for war, and the principle in
volved unsettled.
GENERAL NEWS.
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