The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-24
HERALD WEDNESDAY a. ls72-QUADRUPLE SHEET

agant parties and most violent statesmen. The
men who are mainly answerable for the intem-
are Mr.. Brights peculiar friends and II Mr.. Sumner
could listen to argument or defer to authority none
weight with him than those Of the member for Biz
mingham. more significant and satisfactory in
cident Is the Introduction In the House OF
Representatives. OF resolution distinctly censuring
the indirect claims, both contrary to the true
meaning Of the treaty and as inconsistent with the
doctrines nessra always PHwss America
the mover, has hit no arguments which, if well
enforced and clearly Illustrated, ought to make
powerful impression on his countrymen. Putting
aside the treaty altogether, and supposng 1t were
their right to prefer such claims, it certainly is
against us may In turn be exacted nom them by
some other Power when they themselves are
neutrals, and neutrality is their normal attitude.
1t Is questionable enough whether 1t be their in
terest-as It Is Ours-tO establish the liability OF
neutral States for the escape Of vessels from their
ports to prey upon the commerce OF beigerent;
10. no country has sent out half so many such
vessels the United States, and country will find
1t half so difficult in future to repress the adven
turOus temper and commercial enterprise OF her
citizens when fame and money are to be acquired
or national sGmpathies INDUCED, by engaging In
such undertakings In defiance OF the law. England
herself may already use the American claims with
formidable effect against America. For II a State
be responsible .tor ne claf,destine escape or a
ndrdttnae erpedtiOn u Is a J0rttori dnstcerabe for
the open march across its Frontier or military
FORCE and Il lies 10Th US at any time to insist
redress JOr the Fenidn inrasi0ns or Canada sphich
are excepted RON the operation or he 7redtv OF
washington. II, them America could succeep In
establishing the principle that neutral States must
be liable to pay, not only for every direct loss OF
property indicted by such violations Of neutrality,
but also for all Its supposed political and con-
structive consequences, she would be the first
to suffer from the application Of the doctrine,
and would find thvt she had forged most formid-
able weapon for the disturbance OF her peace
ane the destruction of the advantage she has
hitherto derived from her exceptionally neutral
situation. This Is point which, when they come to
consider 1t, cannot but weigh with the American
government and people; as similar considerations
have already caused President Grant to assert the
absolute right OF sovereign Power to recognize
bellgerency when it pleases, and consequently
to repudiate the complaints of Mr.. Sew
ard against the recognition OF Southern bel
ligerency by Great Britain. However friendly
the feelings OF the two countries may remain, the
diplomatic difficulties Of the situation will still be
serious fnasmuch as IL is even in Mr.. Bright's
opinion. utterly impossible for England to allow Of
the submission of the indirect claims arbitration
and 1t Is at least extremely difficult for the federal
government, at this stage OF the controversy, to
withdraw them.