The New York herald., 1871-03-22
The Anxlo-American Commission.

From the London Times March 81
We are told that "the question OF he cessfOn OF
British America the United states is be brought
before the Jolnt Commission, and that s.its policy
Is earne. NY discussed.n Now. putting for the mo-
ment other considerations out OF sight let II be OBJ
served wnat this implies respecting the manner in
which tae Commission IS reg irded by the Ameri-
cans.
THE pELusloN OF TIE AMERICANS.
They are evl iently under the deluson that cur
and tnat the Commissioners VIII meet for no o!her
purpose than to estimate the amount OF the penalty
TO be exacted from u.s. Tne opinion expressed by Mr.
Fish to Lord Clarendon Is, as we feared. fore
gone conclusion with a great part OF the
American people. Mr.. Fish assumed" as tine
prlncip.s on which the case must be decided,
''that the negligence OF tue officers Of the
British government was gross and inexcusaDle aud
ment full responsible ty.n No room renamed, he
thought for debate on this point. and II should be
taken Tor granted In all future negotiations with
Grea, Britain. IL would seem that by dint OF mere
reiterat0n this assumption" has taken firm root
IN the American mint and IT. cannot therefore, De
too often repeated tnat II IS an assumption which
we absolutely repudiate. We make no counter
assumption.
We have withdrawn Lord Russells peremptory
refusal 10 take INTO consideration the question OF
case 10 the decision oi an impartial arbitrator. II,
after hearing all we have 10 urge such an umpire
should allow the justice OF Mr.. Ftsh's accusation,
we are ready Loyalty to accept the decision and 10
cunsi0er iurther what amends are due. But until
sucn independent decision has beea pronounced
we hoid that the American government has no clam
upon us whatever.
THE POWERS OF THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
No proposal there tore, for damages can have any
standing ground before the JOINT High COMMISSION
The utmost they can consider he the preliminary
question Of responsibility is 10 be settled. they are
Incompetent to consider even that question them
selves for We should never allow an Issue gravel :
affecting the nonor oil this country TO be judged
| ing the two parties interesied nor ought the
Americans TO regard sucD u body oil men as ccn-
ever raised in International law. Tue function
OF the commissioners, In short. In dealing with the
aoaa cas w ne paress s'r avsrd TO aanoan s as
In negotiating their ifatei convention. The
powels OF our commissioners enable them to treat
.ior agreement AS TO the mode OF the amicaDle
seit enent o the differences between us. II the
United states Commissioners should not be prepared
TO admit this reserve the part OF our representa-
tlyes AL discussion ON the question must cease. We
beg the Americans, therefore, distinctly 10 under
stand that all sucn language as we nave quoted Is
beside the mark, because II bess the only question
winch Is at present IN dispute.
THE ATTITUDE RESPECTING PRELIMINARY INQUIRY.
But If the Senator's and politicians Of t.ie United
States misapprehend our attitude respecting the
preliminary inquiry their error with respect to the
kind OF concessions we might ultimately make to
them is simply amazing. Tne policy OF the cession CT
British America to the United states Is earnestly
discussed" Or course. If such suggestion were
made before our Conmiss 0ners they would take
care that twas never mentioned 10 them again.
But the Senators will do wen further to understand
that they may Just as well expend earnest discus
sion uDon the policy OF anDexing this Island TO the
Continent OF America.
THE ONLY WAYS by WHICH ENGLAND WILL YIELD
HER COLONIAL DOMINIoNS.
IF any portion OF our colonial dominions Is ever
joined to the united States IL only be IN one OF
two ways. Ii mnst be either at the express wish Of
the colonIsts or IL must be effected bY iorcb!c an
nexation as the result OF war; We should never
STIR nger TO retain the counlstS II they desired to
throw on their allegiance. They are absolutely tnelr
swn masters in tins respect But so long as they
Wish TO retain their connection with Us, and are
wiling to bear their fair share OF the sacrifices IT
may involve, they may rely on our never entertain
ing suggestion TO ABANDON either them or their
| tights.
| THE pRuss1AN IDEA ''woN'T GO Dowsn WITH
ENGLAND.
IL Is singular that the idea OF ceding territory. and
transferring the allegiance OF It's inhabant without
regard to their wishes, should appear natural and
harmless In the New World Just as IL has lost all
countenance IN the Old Prussia, indeed, has seized
/ Asace and Lorraine bv the sword. But know
i wDat was thought last autumn OF cool proposal TO
| remodel the map or Europe by private agreement
| between two severe gn Towers. The En&lsh people
10 proposals TO make away with their colonies 10
/ suit their own convenience and even Lord Sails
bury would admit that we are very far from such
pass yet But We have not yet touched the lmi OF
SENATORIAL EXTRAvAGANCE.
resolution has been actually introduced into the
| Foreign Relations, which recommends the Commits
sion 10 take INTO consideration the fact that the
possession by Great Britain OF the northern portion
of the Continent of North Amenca is IN It's very ma
ture, an obstacle to the permanent harmony OF the
! two governments and standing incltement to per-
sons anxious 10 Involve them in war; There Is a
COoiness about THIS suggestion which could not be
| surpassed IL can only be compared to land
owner informing hisheighoors that the possession
OF iaDd the county by any one out nlmself Will be
! permanent obstacle TO harmony between Them
aud tnat they wi therefore, find " better quietly tC
| give nm possession OF their holdings.
/ The COMMISSION in WASHINGTON.