Year: 1865

lffom the Lohuon Times, OctoDer lS.


We regret exceedingly that the Govern
ment of America mas thought fit to bring for
ward these claims. but we think there cannot
be for moment doubt as to the answer they
should receive. To yield to such demands
would be to saddle neutrals in all future wars
with new and underlined liabilities, against
which no prudence and no good intentions can
guarantee them. If such demands as these
are to be the ordinary results of the conclu-
sion of q war between two powerful States, it
will probably be thought better by those
against whom they are sure to be made rather
to take sides at once, and ally themselves to
one party or the other, than to place them
selves in situation SO humiliating as that
which neutral would henceforth FILL We
cannot, of course, tell what spirit the Gov
ernment of the United States are disposed to
receive the final and deliberate refusal Of the
British Government to entertain in any shape
the claims they put forward. We can only
say, on our part we are quite sure our GcverI.-
mentmay depend upon the support of the ma
ton in maintaining the position it has taken
up. Ifthe American G Governments determined
to seek quarrel with US, as we'll this demand
as any other. We cannot have one on which
our right is clearer and our position more
unquestionable If it is not, we shall have
saved ourselves by the firm stand we are now
making from great degradation, and vindi-
Gated for the benefit of all mankind that neu-
trail position so seldom occupied by Great
Britain in the wars of the past, and SO often,
we trust, to be hers in the wars of the future.


ONE WAY OUT OF THE DIFFICULTY


[From the London News, October, 1877


But there is a way still open to both Gov
ernments out of this perpexity. Let it bo
assumed that the British Government has
fually declined to refer the question at issue
to any arbitration. The cause of the British
Government is the cause of all neutral ma
tions. The cause Of all .gereut Ea;ions
who possess mercantile marine. Let the
case of the American Government be submit
ted by themselves to the most eminent states
men and jurists in France Italy, Germany
Russia aud the other countries. Let the
wisest and ablest men in Europe and Ameri-
ca be asked their opinion upon the case made
by Lord Russell on the part Of the British
Government and by Mr.. Adams on the part
of the American Government. There is no
danger that the oracles would remain silent,
and it is obvious that the opinion thus OBJ
tanned must carry weight which would be al
most Irresistible. TO which ever side the
majority of those consulted inclined it would
be well nigh impossible for tho other side to
maintain its position. Its not assumed that
either Government will agree beforehand to
be bound by the the prcponderating opin-
ion; nevertheless, it can scarcely be supposed
that the people of America, or the people of
England. would permit their ministers to ell
force claims thus condemned by the general
consent Oft the leading statesmen and juris:s
of the civilized world. If the opinion Of til
civilized world is with England the British
Government and the British people will be
justified in resisting the claims made upon
them. If Oh the other hand, that opinion is
with the United States, the concessions we
may have to make will not ouly be without
danger ''to neutral nations liz all future
wars" but we shall have the assurance that
we have maintained the peace without sacri-
fcing the national honor