Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-05-19
THE VIEW. TRE.sTr.


The new English treaty, as published in
full in the daily papers, is too lengthy to
appear in our columns. Tho language Is
straightforward and free from ambiguity,
and in this respect does honor to the SINGER
ity and good sense of the commissioners.
1t will do something toward lessening the
ill-savor that has long tainted the word di-
plomacy. To be sure, the matters in de-
bate are to be referred to a board of arbitra-
ton, and will have to be discussed anew
before them; but the appointment of such
a board involved a concession ON the part
of Great Britain which she has hitherto
steadily refused to make, and puts the ac-
count on the way of sure adjustment.
England's regret at her shabby treatment
| in the matter of the Alabama, is in the fol-
lowing exact words:
"Her Britanic majesty has authorized her
high commissioners and plenipotentiaries
| to express, in a friendly spirit the regret
felt by her majesty's government for the
escape, under whatever circumstances, of
the Alabama and other vessels from British
ports, and for the deprodatons committed
by those vessels"
Another noteworthy feature of the treaty
is found in the 9Th article, in the rules by
which the arbitrator are to be guided in
rendering their decision. We copy them
in full, as they assert new and most salu-
tary principles, which we trust to see en-
bodied henceforth in the code of interna-
tional law:
| RuleS.--A neutral government is bound
1st-To use due diligence to prevent the
fitting out, armng or equipping within its
jurisdiction, of any vessel which it has rea-
sonabe ground to believe is intended to
cruise or carry on war against power with
which it is at peace, and also to use like dill
igence to prevent the departure from its ju-
risdiction of vessel intended to cruise or
carry on war as above, such vessel having
been specially adapted in whole or part
within such jurisdiction, to warlike use
2d-Not to permit or suffer either bellig-
erent to make use of its ports or waters as
the base of naval operations against the
other, for the purpose of the renewal or
augmentation of military supplies or arms,
or the recruitment of men.
3d-To exercise due diligence in its own
ports and as to all persons within its juris-
diction, to prevent any violation of the fore
going obligations and duties.
Great Britain does not assent to these
rules as statements of principles in force al
the time the claims arose, but agrees that
they shall have retroactive virtue so fai
as regards the differences now to be adjust
ed, sin order to evince her desire Of
Strengthening the friendly relations be-
tween the two countries, and of making
satisfactory provision for the future" The
high contracting parties also agree to OBJ
serve these rules between themselves here
after, and to bring them to the knowledge
of other maritime powers, and TO invite
them 10 accede to them. These are the
} most rigid regulations for the observance
of neutrality ever announced. If generally
recognized, they will place the duties o
neutrals on entirely new ground, and high
er ground than any hitherto occupied. Ant
at all events, should they fail of universe
adoption, they will have validity hereafte
az between us and the mother country.