The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-16

their predictions. The press despatch asserts
that the American side will absolutely refuse to
request an adjournment Of the Court, and that
England's difficulties in regard to the arbitra-
ton are believed to be insurmountable. At the
same time it is claimed that the treaty
has been complied with by the presentation of
the final arguments of both countries, and that
the Americans are confident that the tribunal
will not accede to the English declaration of
allegiance
We gather from all this that England has
found serious obstacles in the path of her
proposed policy, and that the Court, either by
its preliminary action or through its declara-
tons, has shown that it does not consider
that it has the right Of postponement
ct all events without the concurrence
Of both parties. We have never doubted that
such would be the decision of the arbitrators
and that unless our government should again
desert the course it has positively laid down
the English demand for a protmcted adjourn
ment, in direct conflict with the letter of the
treaty, must be refused. The new in
structions required by the British agent
and the haste-post-haste with which cou-
riers were despatched to London with
the statements of the English representa-
tives imply that some new feature not contem-
plated by England has suddenly arisen. Lord
Granville's note to Minister Schenck, published
in the HERALD a few days ago, put US in pos
session of the exact course England was pre-
pared to pursue on the assembling of the
Court and of the demand or request
her agent was instructed to present to
the arbitrators. Lord Tenterden and
Mr. Palmer are fresh from London
with these instructions, and they could have re-
quired none other SO speedily unless some
thing had occurred to interfere with the policy
England had determined to adopt. We must
therefore conclude that the British agents have
become convinced of the certainty of the re-
lection of their application for delay, and
have therefore requested to know whether
they are still to make the demand,
or what further action they were to take on
its refusal. If this conjecture be correct it
would seem that the American representatives
have been instructed to remain firm in their
attitude of opposition to postponement Of
the arguments Or rather, in their refusal
journment, as well as in their pro-
test against England's right to enter upon
argument with any reserved rights of with
drawal 1t is difficult to see how the Ameri-
can government could in honor and consist
ency pursue any other course. The refusal of
the British government to accept the supple
mental article as amended by the Senate
was most singular and unjusti-
fable act. The concession made in
that article was altogether on the part
of America, and England's claim to dictate to
us, not alone its substance, but its wording,
was, to say the least, extraordinary. With the
tender of this concession to England, which
many believe ought never to have been made,
the duty Of our government, and its RESPONSE
bility for the fate Of the treaty, ceased.
To enter upon any subsequent argu-
ment or negotiation would have been
simply disgraceful to us as o nation. We
have no choice, therefore, but to remain firm
in our demand that England shall now fulfil
her obligations under the treaty, or that in the
event of any breach of her part of the con-
tract, it shall cease to exist. We believe that
this latter result will be beneficial to
both nations. No good can come
Of compact that has only been preserved
after such sharp and exciting controversy,
and at the sacrifice Of what is believed by the
party to be its clear rights. It
is better, too, to end the matter at
once, and to get q dangerous element
out of the way The two countries
would be kept in constant state
of turmoil and confusion for the
next eight months should the Court of Arbi-
tration adjourn for that period. Values
would be unsettled; the markets would
be deranged; heated arguments would be
used in the political campaign calculated to
widen the breach between the two ma
tons, and the spectators alone would be
benefited by the delay. When the negotia-
tons were resumed there would be yet greater
danger in case of a continued disagreement
We are satisfied, therefore, that the best thing
the Geneva Court can do is to adhere strictly
to the letter of the treaty. and that both England
and America will be benefited by agreeing
to disagree" and suffering the treaty to fall to
the ground A friendly settlement may be
arrived at hereafter; ct present it seems
hopeless and hazardous to press for such q
result.
The French Republic-A Hopeful sign.
Since the success which President Theirs
won few days ago by his able and decided
speech on the Army bill the minority in the
Assembly has been somewhat FESTIVE, and indi-
cations have not been wanting that the FESTIVE
spirit in the Assembly must either destroy or