The New York herald., 1872-10-25
THE QUESTION IN WASHINGTON.

cabinet COngratulattOn Over the Award
Vindication OF the Country's Right
Earl RusselIs Former Position Of Diplo-
matte Defancc-The American Reply
and . Downing Street Quibble-What
What Has Been Gained, stratcgicany
and Commercially.
WASHINGTON, Oct. "a, 1872.
The exultation in administration circles over the
award OF the Emperor william In the San Juan
case continues. When the question was under dis
cussion during President Buchanan's admnistra-
tion, Lord John Russell, the British Foreign Secre-
tary now Earl Russell, instructed Lord Lyons,
British Minister here to inform Secretary Cass that
Her Majesty's government would maintain their
right the island under any and that
f whatever arrangement as to the boundary should
be arrived at no settlement Of the question would
be accepted which did not provide for the island
being reserved to the British Crown.
This declaration was Immediately resented by
General Cass In despatch to Mr.. Dallas, our Min
attempted an explanation which ended in reaf-
nrmation Of the declaration in other terms.
Captain Provost the British Commissioner for
settling the water boundary dificuty, also fur
nisted with secret instructions that eGectuay pre-
vented him from going into the real issue between
the two governments as to which was entitled to
the possession of the island. These secret instruc-
tions were concealed from our own Commissioner
ut the time of the exchange of the powers OF the
respective Commissioners, and were only extorted
rrom the British Foreign ONCE on the demand OF
our government, and when their further conceal
ment would have been attended with more
shameful circumstances than their disclosure
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON
submitted the case to the absolute arbitration OF
Emperor William, without reservation Of any char
sion wrung from Great Britain.
STRATEGIC VIEWS.
The military Importance OF San Juan to the
United States was not overstated in these de-
spatches OF last night, and it is this extrinsic
value which accounts for the tenacity with which
both parties chung to their alleged rights, even to
the verge OF war. The possession Of Vancouver
and San Juan islands by The same Power would, in
the opinion Of engineer officers sent to examine the
position in 1856, place our whole Pacific coast at
the mercy Of that Power, by giving it naval facii
ties that we could not rival overcome, and this
opinion was confirmed by General Totten, the chief
of the engineer corps, WHO was sent out to study
the military aspect OF The case in 1860.
On the other hand, our ownership Of san Juan
Island gives US no hostile advantage over England
while she retains vancouver's Island, but it con-
fers upon US those equal opportunities Of defend
ing our coast possessions that England did not
want us to enjoy.
THE HUDSON BAY COMPANY soUArTERs
As the decree Of the imperial arbitrator carries
Our title back to the Treaty Of 1885, it follows that
the Hudson Bay Company and other British
subjects who squatted on the island
were, ana are, intruders, without legal
rights. and liable to legal penalties for
their acts OF intrusion and non obedience
90 the rightful authority. But this consequence OF
the decision is not likely to assume any ultimate
practical importance, as Congress, In the opinion
of competent authority, will pass the necessary
act quiet the titles of individual holders and remit
any penalties heretofore innocently incurred.
ENGLAND's MOMENT OF GRACE.
Such legislation win be more nearly certain of
enactment If Great Britain promptly withdraws
from her present JOINT occupation OF the island
under the arrangement proposed by General Scott
and acted on by the British Admiral then in COM
fnand on the Pacific
aecrstsry Fish Communicates the De-
cision to the President.
WASHINGTON, Oct. "a, 1872.
Secretary Fish called on the President this MORN
ing and communicated to him the intelligence of
she Emperor Of Germany having decided the san
suap question In favor OF the United States
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