The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-25

peace. 1t appears to be generally thought
that the probabilities are more favorable to
the Congress than they were and that 1t
may meet on such basis that failure
will not be a necessary consequence.
Though this would seem to imply that
some concession has been made by Russia or
England the English press has been unable
to see that Russia's pacific message" IS other
than reiteration OF Prince Gortschakoffs
circular, and expresses an opinion in the
form of hope that England will adhere
with equal tenacity to the conditions of
Lord Salisbury's despatch" While it
would be premature to express an opinion
as to the results of Count Schouvaloff's
mission, the hopeful language used by the
Tory organ this morning is the first morsel
of real encouragement which the friends
OF an anicable settlement have re-
ceived But as another London jour-
nal known to reflect official opinions be-
Titles the results of the mission it is
only natural to suppose that those whose
duty it is to know precisely what those
results are are not enthusiastic over them.
Austria continues her military preparations,
and the challenge of the English opposition
to the government on the Introduction
of Indian troops in Europe has resulted
in an overwhelming declaration that the
British people will support the government
for this war, without regard to the constitu-
ton.
All this shows that the war spirit is still
active in Europe and that the chance
for the maintenance of peace is yet far
from what it might be wished. For our
part we cannot be Indifferent to the threat
enings Of war that are thus suddenly re-
vived, since recent events have shown
that if Russia and England proceed to settle
their differences by combat we shall
have some portion Of the hostilities
at our very doors. Russian cruisers
bouncing on English merchantmen just
off our coast will be q spectacle
not altogether painful to those who
believe the Alabama depredations have
been poorly paid for, yet spectacle
that will not be exhilarating to an American
merchant whose cargo is on board, and who,
whatever his faith in the imm unity Of nell
trail goods on an enemy's ship, would prefer
to have his merchandise almost anywhere
else than in Russian prize. With the war
assuming thus an aspect in which it is likely
to be of immediate local interest to us the
moment it is declared, the important SUBJ
iect of our relations to the belligerent Pow
ers is worthy special attention, and it must
be recognized that the government at
Washington is not improperly precipitate
in its desire to have our laws on the subject
of sales Of ships and arms somewhat over
hauled and based on sound and tenable
principles.
Our attitude, Of course, will be that of
strict and honest neutrality-not q neu-
trality under the influence Of our sympa-
thies. softening away the hard points Of the
law in favor of the Russians and giving
the statutes their extreme operation when
ever they bear upon the English, but
| neutrality that shall consider our own dig
| nifty and not admit that the government OF
a great nation can apply its own laws in a
spirit Of mean and pitiful chicanery. But,
while we preserve just relation of
impartiality to the bolligerent Powers the
| right should be accorded to our people to
| do all things that the most liberal interpre-
tation of the law of nations permits neu-
trails to do. In this respect the law of ma
tions, interpreted by no matter what foreign
| Power, is more liberal than our own law as
| found in the statute of 1918. By
| that absurd statute there would be
established practical embargo in
| oil our ports the moment war be-
came imminent between any two foreign
States. AS there is hardly month in
any year when war is not actually on
foot or impending somewhere in the world
n strict Interpretation of the statute would
require that all dealers in ships, arms, mu-
nitions, Announcements or other articles
used in war should be regularly kept under
bonds not to supply the articles they deal in
to the only persons who could in any contin-
gency want to buy them that is, States
about to go to war.
That is neutrality run mad. Rather, it is
not neutrality at oil; for such an operation
of law would give aid and comfort to States
that can make their own war material
against States that cannot, by shutting the
latter out from an important market in
which they could supply their wants. With
war actually declared and in operation, to
supply such deficiencies might furnish
ground for objection but, in fact,
objection is never made save when
the supply of the needs Of a
belligerent amounts to practically taking
part in the war, as when England supplied
the Confederate States with q fully
equipped navy, with ships, cannon, ammu-
milton and sailors, and enabled them to
destroy our commerce with cruisers that
had never been in Confederate port, and
in which there was nothing not English save
their colors and their captains. In fact the