The Times and the Morning Pose, the two daily journals
supposed to be most in communication with the Government, comment on the actual position of the American difficulty, and suggest the next move. Both journals seem to regard the policy of the Pierce Administration as in- tended to fasten an insult upon us ; both look upon the semi-acceptance of the offer of arbitration as a lure to make us pocket the insult ; both feel that the situation is complicated by the mode of dismissing the Bri- tish Minister ; both balance the alternative, to dismiss, or not to dismiss Mr. Dallas; and both imply that the better course would be to dismiss him. The Times finally states the case thus:-
"The American Government has dismissed .our Minister and Consuls, for a reason which our Gpvernment maintains to be no reason. That is the only substantial part of the move. That the American Government has done it in such a way as to induce us to take it as quietly and patiently as possible, is a minor affair,• and, of course, was to be expected. The question is, whether we can accept such a rebuff. The more logical course is to reply in the very terms of our antagonist's move. He has dismissed our representative with the utmost possible civility, and in the entire confidence that we shall not be offended. We can, if we please, do the same. We can let Mr. Dallas return to the United States with the assurance that we have no ill-will to them, and only regret that they have put a wrong construction on our conduct. Mu- tatis mutandis, there is not a word in the communication reported from Washington that may not be returned in the most cordial spirit. Of course, we would 'very much rather that the controversy advanced step by step nearer to a solution ; but it is the:American Government that leads it the other way. The American Government tell us that our Minis- ter and Consuls have become disagreeable to them through their connexion with a disagreeable affair. Mr. Dallas is personally un agreeable man, but he has been made the channel of the intelligence that Mr. Crampton and the Consuls have been dismissed : this, of course, must make his presence painful to this country. Such might be called the logical mode of replying to the last move on the American side. That move has been made with much art, and the reply should be made with not less. These aro the two courses open to our Government, and we presume it to be now anxiously engaged in the choice between them."
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