The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-30

bcfetnpies iOr preceucnce. ana as mucn Um'
Ia sometimes lost in determining whether /,
measure shall be taken up as there is In con
siderinG and disposing Of IL a~fterwarJ.
Discussions In Parliament since the wal
show that the dspredations on American com.
merce by tho Confederate cruisers during the
rebellion have seriously alarmed the merran.
tile and producing classes OF Britain. espe-
ctally ship owners. and they have sought ex-
emption from the effects OF any future war by
asking that during its continuance all prop
erty nioat be exempted from capture.
There are two olasses In favor OF this propo-
sition: the representatives OF the progressive
spirit OF the ago. and tho men who recently
displayed such a lively zeal in fitting out Ala
bamas. or sympathizing in their exploits
We're 1t not for the latter class the sentiment
tai ideas OF the humanitarians would go for
very little in the House OF Commons or In
England generally.
After the recent experience which the world
has had OF British conduct In aiding tho de-
struction OF American shipping the PROPOSE
ton to exempt private property on the ocean
from capture, III seriously made. would DO pro-
vocattvo only OF very grim mirth. The argu-
ment for 1t in tho House OF Commons may be
thus summarized England has seven mill
lion tons OF shipping afloat. France hns less
than n million. md oil other nations combined
own but a moiety OF what England alone pos
sesses. In addition to that It Is further alleged
that nearly or quite four-nfthso OF tho value OF
commodities carried In the ships OF tho world
are British. or bound for British ports.
Hence 1t is argued that nobody can be bene-
fitted to the same extent as England by an
agreement ofthe powers that they will respect
private property at sea.
But we must do him the Justice to say that,
Notwithstanding this economical view. the
traditional Briton holds to the ancient ways.
In this regard We must respect his pluck and
his good sense. And Notwithstanding the APP
parent advantages that would ensue to Great
Britain In such a convention. the general
temper OF Parliament forbids the belief that
1t Will accede to my proposition which Will
that Government, In case OF wal. from
the seas Mt will. 1t reasons thus:
England will not consent under such circum-
to have her hands tied. She must
iaN. u full swing. as she always has had.
against foreign fleets and foreign shipping.
She will not be fettered by engagements.
Soiligerents always break them. Wat is hard
knocks. The harder the hits. the longer war
Will BIO deferred and the sooner peace will be
made after 1t begins. Treaties made by diplo-
matists and Interpreted by jurists. providing
for a state OF war. might be abstractly hold to
be binding. but Generals on land and Adj
mirals on sea are the controlling minds In
war. and their business is to conquer the
enemy by the most expeditions methods. To
humanize war. and make 1t compatible with
the functions OF trade and commerce. Is l n
A political war with . commercial
peace Is out Of the question. 1t is impracti-
cable for two countries to be friends and ene-
mics at the same time. To this we add that
DR.. Franklin. the modern author Of this doc
RIM nj nrakDp ntipo rt,,ct1 yrNrArk- frn1.
capture at sea. originally suggested 1t as a
playthinG for discussion. n tonic for the in.
philosophers and statesmen OF his
day. who were reforming all tho world. and
the work Of government de moro.
1t was in accord with the line o! policy Just
best suited to the United States. and
eminently to his purposes.
TO believe that great maritime powers
rival Of the period when nations would consent
disputes to DO settled by arbitration.
I6e treaty he negotiated with the Envoy Of
trsss. Pfa 1ns sf eoal i n res sxIG'n ssee 10 sh 70 e fse
proposition. as from her position 1t had no
! bearing 81 n upon her IN any way, except to e1.
be afioat on the ocean. - -
Any, distinct proposali pt any nation to
terri national differences to arbitration. might
well be received in q serious and hopeful spirit.
II would be a proposal honorable TO human
1t. But al. propositions to carry on
n a gentle and strictly humane manner
A great dsliberative body like Parliament
illustrates the fact that no man sees
himself at once the whole Of a large cues.
and may imagine for the moment that he has
said about all there is to be said on the sub
rations widens the field OF view Immensely.
1t Is dlfiicult to find a better or clearer man
ban LORD Stanley: But let him rise in
and Mr.. Gladstone will follow and point out
,,ooked; that he thinks should very much modi-
x or wholly change Lord Stanley's conclusion. |
Then ar: GLADSTONE will BIO turned upon and
MS turn will find himself very much indebted
to 2 luminous exposition by Mr.. Bright, It'll
The best minds over its often arid wastes. that
~ obscure subject is brought into full view
~ me solitary thought Of the Individual mind is
aenee the world OF theories and theorists that
mankind heed not: Machiaveili has said that
IF any one individual. and the opinions OF an
lssembly OF men nre more sound than those
any one OF IL members. and Aristotle calls
with corresponding powers.
we have already ndyerted to the fact that in
r9nting them, are to be seen all the great ad-
'nr1nsr lenders Of the opposing party
orHhor ITenlers. former Ministers OF For
'i4n. DOMESTIC. and Colonial Affairs. Attorney
ma solicitor Generals. MI the men la fact who
ave formed Old. and are to compose now Cab
pets in case of a change Of Misunderstanding.
on not only meet the personnel Of the exist
nG government who are not members OF the
-ordsh but the entire personnel OF coming
ADMINISTRATION In the event oil q succession.
here also you find eN-Governors OF colo
lleS. exIJudges ey-nnanciers. Admirnls. Cen:
'ra,s. hi,torians. literary men. scientific. and
lnilosophlca men: the representa-, YES OF the
rent institution Of learning the great bankers
lhu merchants. contractors. constructors. the
manufacturers OF the Kingdom: in 4 word.
very class IL represented with n liberal hand.
10 ms Immense body OF trained tai
'ntS md experience we have ALMOST
lothihg TO correspond in Congress. When
70 reflect that we have no reserves
e.. fresidents or Vice Presidents. no ca
'ecretaries OF state. of War, ofths Treasury.
70 y-Generals. no reserves in fact
any Kind OF experienced statesnanshin. 1t
; lmnossible not t. recognize our deficiencies
n COMPARISON with the House Of Commons.
nd as 1t Is with the English so 1t is with the
.rench system. to say nothing. where much
night be said. Of other European legislative
'onies. III the French Chambers are ut pres
nj. IN q great measure. a burlesIue on rep
government. n"rertheless the
zen composing thcn are often persons OF the
lghe;t nr,irr Of intellect While many