Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-14
The Treaty of Washington.

The treaty of Nashlngton-slgned May :,
ratified June Il, and proclaimed July 1, 1871
was one of the greatest triumphs of states.
manship in modern times. The Commission
ers appointed under it were men of the high
est ability, representing the wisdom of the di-
plomacy, the bench, the bar and the legisla-
ture of their respective countries. To these
ten gentlemen all disputes between this coun-
try and Great Britain were referred the is
sues of peace and of war were in their hands.
To use the glowing language of one of our
great statesmen, They were to illustrate the
18th that out of the differences of nations
competent statesmen evolve peace" III
on uestions in controversy had grown in num-
bcp and intricacy until the peace between th
two great Anglo-Saxon nations was in immi-
ncnt peril But happily for the welfare 6.
both nations and of the civilized world, IL
negotiators were equal to their delicate AM
important task both in moral courage and l..
craftsmanship.
The treaty of Washington, in IS articl
was to dispose of the following five differc..t
subjects of controversy:
/. The Alabama claims." so-called, arr
ing from the fitting out in British ports 9.
Confederate cruisers.
>. Other claims for injuries suffered by TIL
citizens of either country during the war Of
the rebellion.
3. For the permanent regulation of the
coast fisheries of the United States and the
British American Provinces.
1. For the free navigation of the great
lakes and the st. Lawrence, and of certain
other rivers and canals, and the reciprocal
right of transit for merchandise.
>. For determining the boundary between
the territories of the United States and Great
Britain on the Pacific coast between Vancou-
ver's Island and the main land.
The first and most perilous cause of dispute
the alabama claims"-was referred to the
Geneva tribunal, which met Dec. II, 1871,
and. on the 18th of September, 1872, ''$l5,-
500, 600 were awarded as n gross sum to be
paid by Great Britain to the United States"
The distribution of that award was left to the
United States to arrange, and we know there
is an unexpended balance, after paying the
losses already adjudicated which remains to
be disposed of by the action of our Congress.
The second cause of dispute was referred to a
commission of three. which met at Washing
ton Sept. 2G, 1871. The United States Con-
gress, in June, 1874, appropriated 1925 $40
to pay the claims of British subjects allowed
by this commission The fourth cause of dis
pute the navigation of the st. Lawrence and
certain other waters, and the reciprocal right
of transit of merchandise in bond-was ar
ranged by the treaty for the term of ten years,
and thereafter subject to discontinuance on
two years notice by either country. This ar
rangement seemed equitable and for the ma
terial advantage of both the United States
and the Dominion of Canada, even though it
be temporary in its nature. The fifth cause
of dispute-the northwestern boundary line
was referred to the Emperor of Germany,
who, ON the 21st of October, 1872, decided
in favor of the United States. This award
confirmed the United States in their claim to
an important archipelago of islands which,
for more than twenty-siX years, Great Britain
had contested and left u.s. for the first time
in the history of the United States as a nation,
without a disputed boundary between our
territory and the possessions of Great Britain
on this continent.
The settlement of the third and last cause
of dispute-tho fishery question-which, for
half a century, had been constant cause of
trouble and source of much bitterness was
provided for by the treaty, so that for the
term of ten years and further, until after two
years notice by either country all restrictions
of s,a fisheries in the waters of either the
United States or Canada should be removed,
and free trade in fish and fish oil permitted,
reserving only salmon and shad and other
river fisheries to their respective countries
but this liberty includes the right of landing,
drying nets and curing fish, under certain
reasonable restrictions
This concession was claimed to be more ad-
vantageous to the United States than to Can
ada, and commissioners were therefore to be
appointed under the treaty to adjust the mon
ey value of this concession. That commits
sion, sitting at Halifax, made their award on
Nov. %, namely that the United States
should pay $500, 900 for this privilege.
This amount, therefore, by the terms of the
treaty, is to be paid by our Government lin
n gross sum within twelve months after such
award" but for the single obstacle that the
award is not unanimous, the United States
Commissioner objecting, and the treaty omit
ted TO declare whether il should be made with
the concurrence of the whole or only n ma
iority of the commissioners. Should the
award be accepted, then, the lAst of the five
causes of dispute will have been put to rest,
and the two great English-speaking nations
will be united more firmly in the bonds of
friendship and mutual goodwill than ever be-
fore since the United States became an indie
pendent nation, Herald.