The New York herald., 1878-03-12
Mr. Blaine's speech on the Halif"
Award.

The clear and cogent speech delivered by
Senator Blaine yesterday in support OF his
resolution vii! command wide attention IN
this country, il Canada. IN England. IL
was meant 10 be a cautious and guarded
speech for Mr.. Blaine, contrary to his usual
practice, put il in writing and delivered 1t
from man uscript. In the most delicate part
of his statements he did not profess to deliver
facts within his own knowledge, but what
had been reported to him rs facts The
correspondence for which his resolution
calls will, as we have good reason Tor
believing, demonstrate that Mr.. Blaine has
not been misinformed. If his statements
are officially established as facts there will
arise strong presumption that the British
government did not act fairly toward the
United States in tho appointment OF the
third commissioner.
1t seems that in one of the sittings OF the
Joint High Commission Lord Ripon volun-
teered an opinion that Mr.. Deltcsse would
not be suitable commissioner on account
of the close relations which existed between
the government Of Belgium and that
of Great Britain. After this admis-
sion the American Commissioners took
it for granted that this gentleman
would be regarded by the British
government as beyond the pale OF choice.
BY the treaty one Of the three members OF
the Fisheries Commission was to be- Sc
lected by England, one by the United
States, the third to be jointly agreed upon
by the two governments but IN the event
of their inability TO agree he was to be Sc
lected by the Austrian Minister in London
Secretary Fish presented to Sir Edward
Thornton list Of names any one OF which
would be satisfactory to the government,
the name OF Mr.. Delfosse being carefully
excluded from the list. Sir Edward Thorn
ton made no response for several
weeks, but when instructions had been
he appeared at the State Department
and proposed the joint appointment OF Mr..
Delfosse. Secretary Fish promptly and
peremptorily declined to accept that gen.
tleman, quoting Lord Ripons remark as a
Justification OF his refusal, and urging Sir
the list of names he had offered or to pro-
pose q different name himself. The Eng
lish Foreign Office stubbornly insisted on
Mr.. Delfosse, and the three months allowed
for the joint selection expired. The ap-
pointment then devolved on the Austrian
Ambassador at London, and he made choice
of the British favorite to whom Secretary
Fish had so persistently objected. The
inference is natural, almost irresistible,
that Mr.. Delfosse was selected by the
Austrian Ambassador in consequence of
British influence brought to bear upon him
in London. If this recital by Mr.. Blaine
shall be corroborated by the official corre-
spondence for which his resolution calls the
transaction will look too much us If the
Halifax Commission was deliberately
packed by British influence. Mr.. Blaine
also made forcible argument against the
equity of the award, and attempted to show
by citations from high British authorities
that only o unanimous decision by inter-
national arbitrators is binding without an
express stipulation to the contrary.
Whatever may be the ultimate decision of
our government as to the payment of the
award it is right that all the facts be dis
closed before any decision is reached. If
our government finally concludes to pay it
will not be from sense of justice or moral
obligation, but from chivalric sense OF
national honor. Senator Blaine's speech is
q model of clear and forcible statement