The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-11

would be sminenly desirable for the good Of aL
nations that the property and effects OF private
Individuals. not contrsband. should be exenipe
from seizure and eonnscston by national vessels
In maritime war. II the time and circumstances
we're propitious to a prosecution OF the negotiation
with that object In view. he would direct that IL
should be assiduously pursued. But the right
season seems to have passed for the present. $50
PrvdsnOe and humanity combine In persuadlrg
the President under the circumstances that It Ia
wise 10 secure the Lesser good offered BY the Paris
Congress. without waiting indefinitely In hope TO
obtain tho greater one offered TO the maritime
nations by the President of the United States.
The British and French Governments. while
expressing their willingness to enter into d
convention with the United States for its
for the insertion Of an article declaring that
they did mot intend thereby TO undertake
any engagements which shall have any bear
ing. direct or indirect. on the internal differ
ences now prevailing in the United States"
In a note to Mr.. Adams, Earl Russell. after
advertlng to the fact that Great Britain had
proclaimed her neutrality In the contest. said.
1T would follow logically and consistently
from tbs attitude taken by her Maiesty's
Government that the so-oalled Confederate
States. being acknowledged as belliGerents.
might. by the law of nations. own pnvateers.
and that their privateers must be regarded
as the armed vessels of o beligerent. With
equal logic and consistency IL would follow
from the position taken by the United States
that the privateers Of the Southern States
might be decreed to be pirates. and II might
be further argued that a European Power
signing q convention with the United States
declaring that privateering was and remains
abolished would be bound to treat the priva-
teers Of the so-oalled Confederate States as
pirates" For these reasons he thought 10
proper that the proposed declaration as ia
the intsnt of the convention should be made>
q part Of IL in writing.
As nothing was TO be gained by such a
convention Mr.. Seward gave instructions
that the matter be dropped. but In doing go
wrote Mr.. Adams:
1T Ia my desire that We may withdraw
from the subject carrying away no feelings
OF passion, prejudice or jealousy. 90 that
in some happier time 1t may be resumed.
and the important objects Of the proposed
convention may be fully secured. I believe
that that propitious time is even now not
distant: and / will hope that when it comes
Great Britain will not only willingly and
Internationally accept the adhesion OF the
United States to all the benisnant articles
OF the declaration Of the Congress of Paris.
but will even go further, and relinCuishins
her present objections. consent. as the United
States has 30 constantly invited, that the
private property. not oontraband. Of citizens
and eubiects OF nations in collision shall be
exempted from coniscation equally In war
fare waged on the land and la warfare waged
upon the seas which are the common high-'
ways Of all natione."
Mr.. Stewards hopes have not yet been
fulfilled, and It Is more than doubtful whether
Mr.. Choate with all his ability will be able,
TO convert the delegates OF the present con-
ference to the American doctrine; but. IL noe
now, at some future time Justice and humanity
will prevail over the selfish interests Of gov.
Ornamental power. J. s. TUCKER.
WASHINGTON, July 0.