The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-09

Stgnated sovereign state OF Europe or Ame-
RIGA. Such tribunal SO composed OF 30
much elevation and character is without example
perhaps in diplomatic history. 1t is signal step
In the line OF International arbitration and the
segment interest OF universal peace. BY its organ
zation and character 1t is competent to satisfy the
susceptibtes OF both nations ana TO do ample JUS
tice 10 the pretensons OF the United States
But to preclude all equiv0catiOn In this respect,
the treaty establishes special rules Of neutral duty
and obligation in addition to the generally received
public law, which rules, although not admitted by
the British Commissioners to have been In force at
the time, are yet
IT Is AGREED, TO RETRo-ACT
and to govern the decisions Of the tribunal
damages in detail or in gross, at its dis
erection, or 1t may refer this duty to Board
OF Assessors sitting In the United States,
who shall report from time to time with payment
to be made accordingly and in the generous spirit OF
Power conscious Of It's fame and greatness, and OF
It's capacity to speak as well to act independently
and rigntfully at ali times.
The British government frankly expresses its re-
grets for the occurrence OF the incidents complained
ofby the United States. For the adjudication of all
other claims OF citizens OF the United States against
Great Britain. or OF subjects OF Great Britain against
the United States during the same PERIOD that is,
AN ORDINARY MIXED COMMISSION
is provided to SIT Washington with an umpire, to
be nominated. If necessary, by designated friendly
power. This Limitation OF the time is material
In substance, for 1t confines the reclamatons
against the United States to the incidents OF
actual war. IL Il accompanied, also, with O
declaration on the part OF the British
Commissioners, to the effect of excluding claims on
account OF slave property. Statements are made in
some quarters exaggerating the amount Of such
CLAIMS II there could be cause In the stipulation
itself apprenend the presentation Of claims against
the United states any considerable amount oil such
apprehensions would be dlspeed by consideration
OF the attitude OF the British government in the mat
ter OF
CLAIMS OF BRITISH SUBJECTS
arising out OF the late war between Germany and
France, Lord Granville having, IN accordance with
tine advice OF the law officers OF the Crown, given
notice to all parties that foreigners having property
in France are not entitled to any special protection
therefor TO exceptions from military contribu-
tons to which they were liable In common with the
inhabitants OF the place in which they
resided or in which their property might
be situated that they were equally
liable with such inhabitants to have acquisitions
levied on their property by either beligerent that
they could have no claim for compensation on the
ground OF their beng neutral foreigners for
losses which the necessities OF war brought
upon them In common with the French,
ana that the British government cannot tn
woke reclamation in the premises In their
behalf against Germany or France. The doctrine
OF these dispatches. applied as 1t is to begerent
soveregns, affords ample protection to the United
States in the matter of any mere acts OF war COM
mitted by Us in the suppression OF rebel
lion in the Southern States, and 1t Is
to be noted also that most Of the claims against
the United States for the seizure Of cotton many OF
which being heard in the Court of Claims. are of
date subsequent to the limits Of this treaty and
not comprehended within Its scope. THESE
treaty stipuations, Just, so honorable,
so fair, and whal favorable to us dispose Of all
the differences between the two nations growing
out OF the late civil war, and, In fact, oil differ
ences between Great Britain herself and
the United States and the method Of ad-
justment is such as, while assuring rights. to
guard the honor OF both governments and to set
NOBLE EXAMPLE 10 OTHER GOVERNMENTS
In the interest Of the peace OF the world by the
stitution OF high International tribunal involving
the direct participation OF SO many great sovereign
Powers. The same great idea Of
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
through The intermedaton Of friendly Powers and
the spirit Of cordial but self.respectrul amiy,
differences which, by their seat or subject, are more
Purely American. Foremost among them is
THE QUESTION OF THE SEA FISHERIES
the coasts or the British possessions, to which
1t Is agreed that IN addition the liberty already
secured 10 them by the treaty OF 1918,
the fishermen OF the United States shall
have the liberty to take sea fish on the sea.
coast and shores, and In the bays, harbors,
and creeks OF the provinces Of Quebec, Nova Scotia
and New Brunswick, and the colony of Prince Ed
ward Island and the Islands adjacent without
being restricted to any distance from the
shore, with permission to land upon such
coasts, shores ana Islands, and also upon the
Magdalen Islands, for the purpose OF drying
their nets and curing their fish, subject, Of course,
In this respect TO the local rights or private prop
erty, and the same liberty is granted to British sub
Jects on the Eastern seacoasts and shores Of
the United States north OF the thirty-ninth
parallel OF LATITUDE, this liberty not to
include on either side shellnsh or the salmon and
shad fisheries or other fisheries in rivers and the
mouths Of rivers IL Is further agreed that fish oil
and fish OF oil kinds, except fish OF the
inland lakes and their rivers and except fish pre-
served in oil, the produce OF the fisheries OF the
United States or Of the Dominion or Canada
of Prince Edwards Island, shall be ad.
mitted into each country respectively free OF
duty. me privileges thus conceded 10 the
United States are obviously NEST important ones.
II is asserted 10y the British government but not
admitted by the United States, that the privileges
accorded to the citizens OF the United States are OF
greater value than those accorded to the subjects OF
Great Britain and to prevent or avoid controversy
OH this point, 1t is agreed that mixed Commission
with an umpire to be appointed by designated
friendly Power, shall determine
WHETHER ANY COMPENSATION
for such alleged excess OF privileges ana II So how
much ought TO be paid by the United States.
THE NAVIGATION OF THE CANADIAN RIVERS AND
CANALS.
Next comes various questions OF navigation
and commercial transit which are disposed OF by
declaring the navigation OF the River ST. Lawrence
and the rivers Yukan, Porcupine and StIllIne for
ever free and open to the citizens or subjects OF both
countries, by providing for the equal use of the
Welland ana st. Lawrence and other
IN