Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-02-17
ENGLAND AND THE GENEVA
COMFERENCE.--- .-..s,

Mr. Gladstone has declared, if reported
correctly, that England will rather fight
than submit to even. the arbitration of
claims. But neither the press nor the de-
claration of the Prime Minister of Great
Britain can be relied on as expressive of
the sentiments of the people or the govern
ment. We arc under no serious apprehen-
sion of q conflict of arms with England,
whatever course her government may pur-
sue in regard to the treaty. Delay will on
ly inci ease the amount of our claims. Pay
day will come some time, and we are in
clined to believe that eventually, upon
"sober second thought" John Bull will
conclude that il is cheaper and more honor
able to settle peaceabe by payment in dol
lars and cents, than run the risk ofa resort
to arms.
The Scranton Republican has an article
on the subject which gives pretty correct
view of the question ard of the course of
the British government. An Englishman,
a subscriber to that paper, having taken
exception to editorial remarks rejecting
upon tho conduct of the British govern
ment as faithless and cowardly. and re-
qucsted an explanation the Republican
says:
We do not propose merely to reply TO the
above exceptions TO a former article, but to
state the precious position England has
seen fit to assume in regard TO the treaty
of Washington, and the arbitration confer
cuce now is session at Geneva, Switzerland.
England entered voluntarily into the COM
pact resulting in the treaty of Washington,
and in fact it was one of her statesmen who
made the first suggestion to adopt the nrbi-
tration mode of settling the pending and
threatening difficulties which have been at
issue between the two countries since the
close of our late war. The British govern
mcut selected jointly with this country T.
commission to draw up the provisions of
the treaty. That commission was harmo-
nious and unanimous in their work, and
performed it TO the then apparent satisflc-
ton OF the governments and people of the
two countries, for scarcely word of dis
sent was heard from either side of the At
lantic for many months, and indeed not
until within the past few weeks. Now, in
discussion this question it is necessary to
remember the fact that England, or rather
the English government. became voluntari-
vides that the questions then threatening
n rupture between the two countries should
be submitted for decision to n board of ar
| bitration composed of eminent statesmen
of dsinterrsted countries. Thus England
and the United States, the two parties di-
rectly at issue, agreed to submit their case
to impartial AMI unprecedented jndges We
then thought, and had reason to believe,
that England acted in the same good faith
as did the United States, viz: to submit
all questions involved in the treaty to the
board of arbitration, to abide the result,
and subsequently submit TO the decision ~
! that arbitration. But while the people and
government were faithfully abiding by the
terms of the treaty, England suddenly and
unexpectedly announces TO the word
through her highest officials, that she re-
fuses to abide by the treaty, and sets her
sef up as the Judge rs to what questions
shall be submitted to the arbtrators for de-
cisiou. In this she places herself in an
attitude of direct opposition to the treaty
to which she is n party. II this is not
faithessness in the most aggravated form,
then the term has ceased to be OF any sig
nifcance 1t is dishonorablc in an indi-
vidual TO make compact and then refuse
to abide by its provisions. and what is dis
honorable in an individual is douby SO in
great nation.
That the British Government has com
mitted acts that lay it open to the charge
of being both fiithless and cowardly, need
scarcely be repeated to any one in this
country. We need but to refer to the fact
that when our republic was involved
in terrible civil war, from which
European goverun,ents hoped and believed
we could not recover, England entered iuto
an alliance with Spain and France 10 cul
the throat of the Mexican republic, ana
plant au Empire on our borders. But n
sooner did it become apparent that The
great republic of the United States was de
termined to save itself and maintain III
power, than England deserted her allies IL
their raid upon Mexico.
During our civil war the British Govern
ment, contrary to her obligations. permit
ted the Alabama and other privateers 4
have her ports, armed with English gun
and manned with English subjects, to pre-.
: upon our commerce and rob and destlo
, the property of American citizens. She re
fused to l,ay for the damages thus lnlilcte'
upon the country, and finally, when on
demands were pressed upon her, and sl
feared the consequences, she agreed to sui
J nit the question to impartial arbitrators
. To this the United States agreed, relyin
: upon the Justice of their cause. And now
r at the eleventh hour, 'pcrfdi0us Albion
J once more attempts to disregard her DBL
. CATION, unless she can be the judge in
case in which she is also one Of the partie
interested This our government will N"
c and should not submit to. While this II?
: ton does not desire war with any courtrN
a it is no evidence that our government {
Q people vii. shrink from any responsibihl
!, to maintain the honor Of the Republic, {
j. to demand, and, if necessary, cxtort dr
e regard for the interest of our citizens
e That the government in its dishonorab
l. and fiithless conduct in the matter Of ii
Is treaty of Washington fairly represents Il
G people of England, we do not believe.
e our correspondent approves her actin
e that is no reason why we should, or spea
is of it in less plain terms than we have dol
Le heretofore, and as we do now.
III IMPORTANT RAILROAD SUIT.-The ca
u of lIough & IIersh VS.. the Northern &c