New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-20
TIE GENEVA CONFERENCE.

treaty manufactured IN washington Dy
the joint high commission appointed by
the governments Of England and the
United States to settle the differences be-
tween the two countries. But as the CHIEF
object for which that conference was
called, namely-the settlement Of dam
ages to our countrymen for losses sus-
tanned in consequence of England's fail
IRE to observe faithfully her protested
friendly relations to this countly-remains
unsettled and has been referred for settle
ment to what may be properly termed a
1orelgn commission, We propose to say
something more now upon that subject.
The Geneva conference is provided for
by the treaty Of Washington, which re-
qulres the ratification of the Senate to be
complete so far as this country is con-
cerned. 1t is quite certain that if the
treaty should be ratified by our govern
ment there will be no trouble in having
1t ratified by the English government, for
the advantages are all on the side of that
nation But until it is ratified by both
powers its conditions are not binding on
either, and there can be no movement
made to enforce them. This, therefore,
is the proper time to discuss the merits of
the treaty, in order that the sense of this
country may be had in regard to it before
it is finally acted upon by the Senate
The tribunal of arbitration, which is to
meet in Geneva, Switzerland, if this
treaty is duly ratified, and settle the
claims of this country against England,
is to be composed Of five arbitrators.
One of these arbitrators is named by the
President of the United States The
other four are chosen by the queen of
England, the king Of Italy the president
Of the Swiss Confederation and the en-
peror of Brazil. To guide this arbi-
tration three rules are laid down
in article six Of the treaty; and
according to General Butler, these rules
are also to act for "the future govern
ment Of neutral nations in time Of war,
nth the cypress reservation that her ma
jesty's government cannot assent to the |
rules, as statement of the principles Of
international law, which were in force at |
the time when the claim mentioned in !
article first arose ; but that, in order to |
make satisfactory provision for the fu-
ture-in order to evince its desire to |
strengthen the relations between the two
governmental is agreed that they shall
be taken as rules by the arbitrators if not
with other principles of in
law" These rules are as fol-
lows: First-That a neutral govern
ment is bound to use due diligence to pre-
Tent the fitting out or equipping of any
Tessel which it has reasonable ground to
believe is intended to cause or carry on
var against power with which it is at
'eace, and also due diligence to prevent
he departure of vessel intended to
AIRY on war as above, such vessel having
'een especially adapted in whole or in
art, within such jurisdiction, to warlike
ses. Second to permit or suffer
lther Of the belligerents to make use Of
S ports or waters as base Of naval op-
ration against the other, for the purpose
military supplies or arms, or the re-
ruitment of men. Third-To exercise
lie diligence in it's own ports as to all
ersons within the jurisdiction, to prevent .
ny violation of the foregoing obligations
I'd duties
If these three rules had been honestly +,
lforced by England-and she was in
bod faith bound to observe every rule .
)ove defined-there would have been no i.
use of complaint and no Alabama y
aims to settle. These rules ale the very =
sence OF all laws regulating the con- q
let Of neutral nations when war exists 8
tween powers with whom they are J.
endly. In pursuing an opposite course, n
lgland has not only given aid and COM .,
TT to our enemies, but she has driven =.
r commerce almost entirely from the g.
rs, greatly to her advantage. In regard to =,
IS matter, General Butler thinks it diff =
1t to see upon what theory these rules =,
I be deemed Of advantage to this coun- ~
in the future. BY the non-observance r.,
them England has driven our shipping -.
m the seas, and in any coming war we
to lose all advantage Of building and -
ing ships to belligerents. Yet the =.
aeva conference, if it comes together, -,
bound by the treaty to enforce these 80
IS, and they are to be made binding ~,
N all nations. In submitting to be- o,,
,e party to such confer a.
e, we believe the United States Nv
eminent will enter into an en- GU,
CLING alliance with foreign pow the
that should be avoided. Besides, ~
settling what are known as the ho,
bama claims, the settlement of ~;
indefinite amount of other claims ,.o
provided for by the treaty; and, ca,
the language Of General Butler, 100,
door thrown open ''to take untold n,
ions from the treasury" These are t;o,
ements that should be made by our o;o
government, and to submit them to fro,
ign arbitration is derogating from its FIR,
llty. 1t is better to let the Alabama tha
as remain unsettled for the present oct;
to submit to the degrading dirlo- and
J OF the Washington treaty, and what :,