Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-07

as we can well deal with, and really friendly
power with grievance like that, whilst holding
to its position, would refrain from casting the mat
ter 10 an irritating way before the public until our
affairs had assumed a more peaceful aspect. At
any rate this is what according to the admirers oil
the Alabama arbitrsio ion, We might certainly nave
expected from America The truth is that while
the very party with which the bargain Is made,
still holds office in the L United States. the nrst OPP
portunity is seized to make a point against us,
Just when it is reckoned that other difhcuities may
force us to give way. Nothing else was to be ex-
pected, and for our own part we are Inclined 10
thank Mr.. Eysrs for teaching our countrymen
that nations, generally, are no more inclined to
forego their advantages over one another IN the
nineteenth century than in the eighteenth, seven
teenth, sixteenth, or first. Letthe sentmenislists
blame Mr. Evarts, Tor he has disappointed item,
not US. The American newspapers, OF all shades
of political opinion, without giving moments
consideration, let us hope. to the TACT thar tne
quarrel has nothing whatever to do win the
award of S5,500,000 made 10 favor oil Csnads
at Halifax come forward, at once, with the con-
tention that this money, due and long overdue 10
US, must not be paid until, and unless this differ
ence is settled IN a way they think right. x9ooo,'
900 of the Alabama indemnity still remain without
any reasonable claimant, and here are So,ooO,ooo
more to be retained.
We should have supposed that the Americans
could scarcely afford to recall attention to the va
1ions matter relating to the w sshington Treaty,
and the manner 10 which its provisions have been
carried out. But tnen, we too nave a iitIie scuti-
me about us. for truth, the whole story is one
OF a continuous attempt at evasion, and evasion OF
u some what shabby kind; aud, curiously enough,
advantage was taken of local regulations-th To-
cal regulations OF the State of New York-to avoid
compliance with OF the most important stipu-
latlons of the treaty in favor OF Canadian ship
ping. Therefore, Lord Salisbury has opened 10
bun some very pertinent retorts. But two wrongs
do not make a right, and If it appears that tue
Newtoundlanders who do not form part OF the
Dominion, had no right to take the law into their
own hands, ia view Of the arrangements entered
into on their behalf, OF course compensation will
have to be made.
When however the Americans argue that the
whole Fishery Question may have to be reopened,
we are at liberty to disregard what they say, or
we might answer that If so, some other points
would have TO be reconsidered at the same Time
Thus 1t would be at least srgusble on the part OF
the Canadians that very serious claims for mon
st,ous injuries Inflicted by American citizens on
British subjects during the Fenisn raids should
az ain be put forward; since according to every
recognized principle of international law, the |
United States we're to the fullest extent RESPONSE |
BILE for these outrages. We mention that, howev- |
er, only TO show how troublesome it is TO 90 too |
far back in such matters, and to mix up ques'
tons which ought to be kept separate 1t may be |
possible that Lord Salisbury has taken up false
position with respect to the local or other rights oil
though since he had all the facts |
before him, and the knowledge that he dealing
with very thorny question, we may fairly hope
that he has not done But in any case we shall
have the satisfaction of knowing that whatever |
discredit there may be in this talk of keeping
money back, or in suddenly sprngng diplomatic
mines at an awkward time, 1t Is not ours.