Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-01
The Compact Entered Into by Eng
land and Uncle Sam.
LIMITING fhE NAVAL FORCES
Alleged Violations Of the Agree
ment by the United States.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

The recent war excitement and the sug-
gestion that Canada has constructed reve-
nue. cutters which may easily be converted
into war vessels, has attracted attention to
the provisions Of law, treaties and agree
ments as to the defenses Of the lakes. 1t
Is claimed by British authority that the
United States took the initiative in the mat
ter Of the disregard of the treaty Of 1917.
An act Of Congress, passed September 9.
fS41, provided: For the construction and
armament of such armed steamers or other
vessels for defense on the northwestern
lakes as the President may think most
proper" Under this authority the Michi-
gan was built at Pittsburg and carried in
pieces to Lake Erie. where she was launch
ed in 1874, with tonnage and armament
far in excess of treaty stipulations. This
drew forth protest from the British min
lister, Mr. Packenham, July %, 1874. Mr.
Calhoun responded September 5, in a con-
ciliatory tone, but ne called Mr.. Packen-
mans attention to certain reports re-
ceived from United States naval officers, to
the effect that the British had at that mo-
ment on the lakes two formidable war YES
sels-the Cherokee and the Mohawk
Matters rested in this shape until 1857,
when Lord Napier, en- April &, addressed
Mr.. Cass with representation that his
government was advised that an Ameri-
can armed vessel lies in the Detroit river
from which 1t makes frequent incursions
into the lakes" He complained that this
vessel was CT dimensions and armament in
consistent with the treaty of lS17 The sub
Ject dropped until July 2. 1853, when Lord
Napier complained of the reported con-
Struct!on by the United States of six armed
revenue cutters. To this complaint no
written response was male October 81
1851, Lord Napier again complained of the
michigan. but Mr.: Seward, in a note dated
September II, 1861, allayed his apprehen-
sions. April %. 1854 the British minister
nad an interview with the Secretary Of
state concerning the proposed construction
Dy THIS country Of certain revenue cutters
for lake service, but this also was smoothed
over and dropped. About this time a mo-
ton was made in Congress locking to the
termination of the treaty of 1877 and Au-
gust 4, 1864, Lord Lyon stated that his gov
eminent would view it's ahrosat.on with
great regret and no little alarm" October
u, 1854. Mr.. Seward notified the British
government that it WAS apparent that Can
aoa was being used IS mass for hostile
operations against the United States and
tnat under the provisions Of the treaty. of
lSl! at the expiration Of six months the
United States will deem themselves at lib
eIty 10 increase the naval armament upon
the lakes. June 16, 1865. Mr. Seward with
drew this notice, and, by the consent OF
Dotn governments. the status of the treaty
OF 1917 was revived.
The Agreement.
The correspondence between Mr.. Charlie,
Bagot, the British minister here, and Mr.
Richard Rush. then acting secretary of
state, sets forth in detail the agreement
made in 1917. A letter from Mr.. Bayot.
dated April 2S, 1917, after referring to IRE
Wous correspondence on the subject, SAYS:
His royal highness. acting in the name
and On behalf of his majesty, agrees that
the naval force to ne maintained upon
the American lakes by his majesty and the
government Of the United States shall
henceforth be confined to the following
vessels en- each side. That is:
"On Lake Ontario to one vessel not ex-
ceeding one hundred tons burthen and
armed with one eighteen-pound cannon.
ION the upper lakes to two vessels not
exceeding like burthen each and armed
ION the waters of Lake Champlain to one
vessel net exceeding like burthen and arm
ed with like force.
"And his royal highness agrees that all
other armed vessels on these lakes shall
be forthwith dismantled. and that no other
vessels Of war shall be there built or
armed.
His royal highness further agrees that
If either party should be hereafter de-
sirous of annulling this stipulation and
should give notice to that effect to the
other party it shall cease TO be binding
after the expiration of six months from
the date Of such notice.
1.-The undersigned has it in command
from his royal highness the prince regent
to acauaint the America government
that his royal highness has issued orders
to his majestys officers on the lakes d.
recting that the naval force so to be lin
tied shall be restricted to such services
as will in no respect interfere with the
proper duties of the armed vessels of the
other party"
Mr.. Rushs reply, dated April %, 1917.
expresses the Presidents satisfaction that
the British government had acceded to the
proposition made by the Secretary of State
m his note Of the I'd of August preceding,
and went on to say that this government
cheriShipg the same sentiments expressed
in the note of the I'd of August, agrees
that the naval force to be maintained upon
the lakes Of the United States and Great
Britain shall henceforth be confined TO the
following vessels on each side, that is:
On Lake Ontario, to one vessel not
exceeding one hundred tons burden and
armed with an eighteen-pound cannon. On
the upper lakes to two vessels not ex-
ceedng the like burden each and armed
with like force, and on the waters Of Lake
Champlain to one vessel not exceeding like
burden and armed with like force
And II agrees that all other armed vessels
on these lakes shall be forthwith disman-
tied, and that no other vessels of war
shall be there built or armed. And It fur
Their agrees that II either party should
hereafter be DESTROYS of annulling this
stipulation and should give notice to that
effect to the other party it shall cease to
be binding after the expiration of six
months from the date of such notice
'The undersigned is also directed ly the
President to state that proper orders will
forthwith he issued by this government to
restrict the naval force thus limited to
such services as will in no respect Interfere
with the proper duties of the armed vessels
Of the other party