The New York herald., 1871-05-15
IS THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON DIP
LOMkTlC NUMRUGs
WASHINGTON, D. G., May IS, 1877

WASHINGTON ID. o., May IL, 1871.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD:-
Why was It that this treaty generally received
the commendatIon OF the people and press before
Its details were fully understood2 Did anybody
nected with the government or the High Com
mission suppose 1t possible to forestall public
opinion in this way and put the treaty
through the Senate without examination VIII
you allow one who has looked somewhat carefully
over the treaty to PROFOUND a few questions con-
cerning it through your widely-read journal, which
Is accustomed TO present all sides and treat all
questions fairly?
What are the Uaited States TO gain by this treaty.
Is 1t an acknowledgment by Great Britain that she
was guilty Of wrong in the Alabama matterS Byno
means She simply expresses her regret at the
escape OF the Alabama 'under whatever cIrcum-
stances and her depredations on American COM
merce and so 1t Is presumed. she would express
her regret, II requested to do so nat the grasshoD
pers '.under whatever circumstances,'' were con-
sulnng the crops on the Western plains. Does
predatlons OF the Alabama2 No. She simply pro.
vides for submitting the Alabama claims, (which
are, are not admitted to c, arbitration: on AND
traitors are to be selected by foreign Powers
and one eacn by Great Britain and the United
In the interior OF Europe. convenient place,
surely for the United states to present the evidence
award the damages in case they find Great Britain
liable under the rules agreed upOny Not neces-
Out lnaJ Is 10 DC submitted 10
ther arbitration commission OF three persons,
Oh wn0m Is TO be appointed by some crowned
head or his representative IL Great Britain means
by this treaty 10 acknowledge her liability for the
Alabama outrages, why not so without all these
cumbersome boards? Thai sne does not mean it Is
apparent from the submission OF that question TO
arbtrators Is .he honor OF the United States,
which Is involved IN this question: to be submitted
TO the decision OF arDltrators majority OF whom
are appointed by crowned headsS
"What is meant by the term military supplies' in
the second rule adopted principle OF interna-
/ tiOna law for the future VIII IL prevent our
squadrOns In the East India and the Mediterranean
III time OF war from entering neutral ports In those
seas and supplying themselves with provisions and
coalr II sO 1t would drive every American vessel
ports OF her In all quarters the globe, would
have no difficulty in revictualing and supplying her
fleets.
Great Britain has been willing for years to submit
the question OF boundary between the two Coun-
tries on the North west coast TO arbitration, and
posed IN this treaty. unless u be in the character OF
the arbitrator selected who happens to be the
father-in-law of the daughter of the British Queen.
some significant questions might be asked as TO
the proposed settlement OF the fishery question,
and the meaning OF artlcle 30, whicn makes the
right o. citizens of the United States t. use the
Cana dian canals depend on the consent
OF the Canadian Parliament, and proposes,
as means Of coercing such consent, to deprive
British subjects OF the right, utterly valueless TO
another on the lakes provided 1t is taken part OF
the way IN land carriage across Canada. But
enough for the present 1t is to be hoped that the
discussion In the Senate may be made public, and
that the distinguished chairman OF the Committee
on Foreign Relations Mr. Cameron will explain TO
Is to gain by the ratification Of this treaty. Very
respectfully, A READER.