The New York herald., 1878-03-13

forced Its In the larger points OF policy such
as this Of resumption will In time gain II the conf
dence and support OF the people
FROM OUR REGULAR REsPoNDENT.
wAsHScros, Mwch II. 1873
INTERVIEW WITH N. DELRossE, THE BELGIAN
MINISTER, ON THE FIsHERIEs QUESTION.
In view OF the discussion Of the fisheries award,
which occupies public attention and was the
subject OF Senator Blaine's speech in the Senate
yesterday, Mr.. Maurice Dslfosse the Belgian Minister
the United siatos, who has been made the central
figure OF the dispute al Of the Commission
ers, was interviewed this evening to. ascer-
tain his feelings about the matter. Mr.. Delfcsse
highly cultured ana experienced diplomat, who
has all his points at his fingers ends and discusses
them with great readiness and pertinoncy. When
asked about the attack which had boen made upon
him and the British government in regard to the
$751; 900 Halifax award, he said Substantially
"Why don't they wait for tho publication Of the
arguments in the caae IL to mo
,hsy do mot understand anything at all
about 1t. They are cropping in tho
dark. cannot understand why tho arguments
have not already been made public by the State De-
partment, and suppose IL 10 q matter OF accidental
neglect or because they have had so much else to do
When tho arguments are known, we who
the commission know them and wore obliged to hear
them, then those who criticse the matter strongly
will be able to judge understandngly Of the d
cult unpleasant nature Of duties passing
ihe award For myself have never had such
disagreeabs duty to perform and certainly could
be induced to undertake any such thankless and an
noying task again. Knowing full well what I'M
portsnce would b attached TO my yoce and decision,
scrupuously avoided discussing the question and
reading any opinions about It wont to Halifax 70.
solved to give my whole thought entirely unbiased
the presentation Of the case and from the first this
frame OF mind listened 10 II throughout and to
the conclusions reached with the fullest conviction
OF their correctness. or course heard good deal
about nshprmen and so on, with remarks as we'll
afddavits from them. But what had TO do with
hsnsrmenf was dealing with great OF justice
and concern between nations which is Of more i'm
portance. Even after the award was made there
great shaking OF heads ~ some connected with tho
commission, and the comment was mado anerily
"rhe Eastern tho New England States will not sub
mil to this" But had q duty to perform, and hav
ing entered upon 1t l was to discharge 1t
ntiously havo boen asked to say something
In se.defence about this attack made mo- but
what have Isto do with hf NY duty has beon dis
charged there is the result Of It in your hands.
entirely above the plane OF dispute the subject. /
have what required Of me; II it is liked
why set it aside do not like be dragged dis
putes about II and do not want 10 have my name
brought up In pAblic l have nothing moro to do
with It, but feel that have acted properly and justly
with the light before me. When others have exam
ined tho case have and the arguments looked
into think they will the determination did
O. Well, what about the alleged influence OF the gov
srnment Of Great Britain in controlling your judg
ment upon the awards2 A. have what is said,
but nothing in the world is absurd. Ny govern
cha ad with hal IN ha ina
and dctat,on of Great Britain. Why the thing Is
ridiculous the extreme. During the Franco-Prus-
1t said Belgium, from the peculiar nature
of things, was subject 10 the control OF Germany.
Again, IL was said at another tme she was held to be
controlled by France, and 1t Is said
from tho force circumstances she is identified In
interest with Great Britain. From all this II would
appear that she is the great of contest gav
itation for all the European powers to be affected by
them successively Nothing of the kind, however is
true Belgium acts for herself and ls'ontrey inde-
pendent which Is not feature altogether Bel
GUM. She has power and conservatism as we'll as
good old system in accordance with which she man.
ages her affairs.
q. How do you account for the reported objection
OF Mr. Fish to your appointment as one of the COM
missioncrs9 A. That can't understand; 1t Is what
puzz.es me more than anything else. and am quito
in the dark abont 1t. Until the recent publications
and the statement to that effect connection with
tho action OF the commission l did not
know anything whatever about It. l was
greatly surprised at II, the moro so az
was in daily intercourse with Mr.. Bancroft Davis,
who thon Assistant Secretary of State We had
been contemporaries in London, he as Secretary OF
the American and Secretary Of the Belgian Lega.
ton. We were good friends here While he at
the oM Ststs Department. which was then out
Fourtesnth street, used TO 90 out TO meet him fire.
qusntly rode into tho suburbs on horse
back II seems to me that, considering our intimate
relations, II there had been any objection
the part OF Mr. Fish 10 my appointment
Of the commissioners he should have spoken OF
IT, and in friendship to me think he would have done
IL to spare my feelings and not allow to act
in the dark. But never word intimatod to
by him or Mr. Fish to this effect, and never oven
dreamed OF the objection OF tho latter to me
until I recently mention OF II In
the daily prints did not seek the place, but both
Mr.. Fish and Sir Edward Thornton sought ana
agreed upon my appointment When so informed,
feeling at FIRST great dclicacy and reluctance. nesi-
tated, put finally concluding TO accept tho appoint
ment. wrote to my government. stating fully my
views and embarrassment and asked It's approval of
my acceptance before entering upon the duties This
was gwen, and felt the honor accorded to am
sorry now TO say that assumed the responsibilities
OF the task for my part with the experience have
haa, will never do such thing again. will allow
others to undertake II If they choose. 1t very
arduous, distaseiul and annoying to l would not
90 1t again.
O. We'll was there no. somo difficulty about your
final appointment by Count Beust and is
IL not said this was dono at tho
dictation OF tho British government A.
Tho three months allowed by the treaty In which tho
commission TO bo appointed expired without CON-
bned action part OF tho two OF ny
land and tho United States. The understanding was
that In this event tho Austrian Minister at London
to appoint tho third commissioner; therefore IL
became a formal necessity on the part OF Count
Beust 70 select him. He notified. as I