New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-14
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
DIR SETTLEMENT OF THE VEXED CUES
T10NS.
rYpoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

oonle had 70 be consulted during its progress The
amendment of the High Commission, and the cor
respondence which has just been madepublic are
merely the signs and evidence Of fact accom-
plishcd, perplexing question, or rather number
OF perpexing questions settled
The principles of the settlement having been fully
considered and established it only remains to the
High Commission to find methods and adjust details
What The London Times is reported as saying is an
excellent statement of what is precisely the reverse
of the truth. The Cable has brought this quotation
from its columns
Although the Alabama is secondary to that Of the
fisheries subject for the consideration Of the Com
mission, yet there doubt TO which question will
mainly engage its attention But 1t is erroneous TO sup
pose It is the purpose of the Commission TO find
ground for England to abandon her position, to
ccde liability upon the Alabama question"
We cannot be mistaken in saying that. instead Of
the truth being told in the latter part of this para
graph, IL is the prime purpose of the Commission to
find ground which England can abandon her
position and concede liability. And the way is not
dihcult will be seen in the sequel of the action
Of the Commission.
England at this moment aims at but one thing
This is TO have the troublesome and dangerous ques
lions between the two countries put in train for
pcaccabe settlement. The instructions to her Com
misSoneTs will be brief and pointed, They will be:
Settle these questions; do it on the most favora-
BILE terms possible, but settle them" The reason is
this: They block the way to the pacific solution of
vastly larger question namely the severance of Brit
ish North America from the parent Empire, an event
lougcontemplated. andforwhich the urgency oft thick
coming and threatening circumstances bids England
prepare We must give that Government the credit
of fOrcSccing that inevitable result. 1t hears the
tramp of the incoming millions upon American terri
tory, already swarming with aggressive multitude
vocal with the threats of its own dissatisfied subjects
driven hither Cor an asylum. The 2O,OOOOOO of the
last generation have become 10000 600 now and will
be 70OOOO00 to S0OOO0OO in the next. Within thirty
years, which is but day in the national life they
will work their own sweet will on this Continent
wholly irrespective of the tastes OF the desires of the
20OOO0OO of islanders across the water. Does not
England know thisf Let us see.
Ever since the day which closed the civil war, and
concluded the cycle of extraordinary transactions
which established the position of the United States
one of the greatest military powers of the globe
English statesmen have foreseen clearly that they
must prepare to surrender British America. Every |
act OF the British Government since that day. touch
ing the subject has been in harmony with this idea.
She has broken up her garrsOns she has recalled her
troops from the several Provinces she has directed
and enabled them to form league among them
selves and she has given them money to build rail-
road to connect their TemOter eXtTemities more
closely together. She has told them they must here
after look ont for themselves, defend themselves, |
and take care of themselves. And, further, that |
whenever they wished to their connection |
with the Home Government, the Crown would |
interpOse no objections She has done all this openly
distinctly, and before the world without disguise
within the last five years If a great prospective
national metamOrphOsis be more distinctly |
recognized and more rapidly provided for than this
has been. we are at a loss to know how. We shall
look in vain in history we imagine, for an example
of ready perception of an unwelcOme national
change a more graceful and intelligent acqUi-
essence in it,
The question with England, therefore, now is how
the great prospective event clearly foreshadowed
10 her can be blandy cOnsummated; without blood
she'd without cost, without national contest and
humiliation. These considerations which we
ourselves must take into account and never fail TO
remember as each successive chapter of this interest
ing development unfods before eyes. The labOrs
of the High Commission all on the line of the |
historic march here deneated. They are part of
the final whole Their character, far as England
is concerned, is foreOrdained. An overriding neces-
sity constrains them. There is volitiOn except
within certain defined limits. The Commission may
debate methods and details but they constrained
by the force of an memorable necessity to reach
prefgurcd result.
The American Government shows its disposition |
TO interpOse factiOus opposition to harmonious
rendering of the case by what III mas ALREADY uOne
II has consented at the start to strip the principal
subject of contention of gTOtesque sentimentalsm |
every way offensive to national susceptibility which
elaborate closet disquistion had thrown around it,
and TO rest upon it's naked merits shOrn of all dTa-
matte dress and attitude. This concession shows |
chat our Government does not wish to Illustrate the
desires of Great Britain to ultimately retire peacea-
bly from this continent and also that the United |
States have no desire TO the questions now
ND for determination either of them as a cOnve-
nient prrtext upon which 10 pick future quarrel.
OF course we may anticipate discussions and appa-
rent distractions as the Commission proceeds with |
The adjustment. These may be all the more antlc- |
mated from the fact that Mr. Bernard one of the |
British Commissioners, has written book on the
Alabama caims-Of course, from the British point OF
view. But if our Commissioners hold the firm and
steady attitude which the more comprehensive facts
of the case that we have now briefly outlined will
of themselves fully Justify, all Instructions will
sneeduy vanish and we shall have an end, once
for all. of the Fishery and Alabama questions.
Itisto be hoped the American Commissioners will
he fully mbued with the ideas which are the foun-
daton of these remarks since they afford the Key to
the satisfactory result to winch they point, ana
which we so confidently anticipate We ENJOY by
ositon every advantage in the negotiation which it
is possible to have. 1t makes no dlnerence 10 tne
nited states whether it succeeds falls but with
the opposing party success Is lndlspenSapie'
o occurrence in international conventions that so
,nartod an advantage is enjoyed by one party over
fbe other And vet while cannot believe II pos
M that onr Commissioners will overlook so i'm
,or,ant a consideration, we have the example OF
former completed negotiations with England 10
,,arn0s In the case of the NOrth-Easter Boundary
.,;,, and in the establishment of our Northern