The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-17 00:00:00

The FOREIGN PRESS on the "ALABAMA"

CLAIMS.

The Exchange Gazette of Berlin thinks that the dis-
pute between England and America on the Alabmna
claims "is not of a nature to exclude the prospect of a
peaceful arrangement." Both powers," it says, "have
strong grounds for effecting a compromise and avoid-
ing a war which would bring endless misery on the two
nations and most injuriously effect the interests of
liberty, of which they are the protectors. Both
England and America depend largely on their sea
trade, and the campaign would at first be a naval
oae. It would, therefore, lie necessary to take
into consideration, not only the chances of war,
but also the immense injury which would be done
to the national prosperity if the two countries. . . .
As matters now stand, America must be the first to
make concessions. She has evidently strung her bow
too tight. and gone far beyond the mark." "If the
American Caseis meant to frighten England," it adds,
quoting aLondon letter in the Allgemeine &Rung," the
Yankees will probably find that they are quite out in
their calculations. France has seen how disastrous
such a policy is, and it will certainly not be success-
ful against England. John Bull is very pacific so
long as peace brings him money ; but his love of peace
is at an end when it begins to cost him money
England does not fear America and has no reason
to do so. The conciliatory spirit—certainly not a cha-
racteristic of the English nation—which England has
so often shown to America is by no means an expres-
sion of weakness or of devotion to the principle of peace
at any price. The commercial interests of England,
and the sympathies of large masses of her population
are so closely connected with the United Slates that
the bond could not be torn asunder without
painful wounds. . . But Lord Palmerston
showed in the Trent affair how easy it is to awaken
the pugnacious spirit of the nation. . . . The ridicu-
lous bravadoes of certain American papers are quite
unworthy of as great and cultivated is nation as he
American. Ve cry of 'to Canada' is as absurd, and
might be as disastrous, as that of is Berlin.'"

It is reported in official circles at Washington that
intense interest, but no marked excitement, regarding
the arbitration prevails. Even should England recede
from the 'treaty, it is not apprehended that the re-
sults will be more serious than the state of affairs
which existed before the negotiations of the Treaty.
Reports have been circulated that the national de-
feaces are being strengthened to meet any contingency
that might arise; but they are utterly false.

The Tribune believes that the Government will in-
dulge in no retorts or recriminations, but will firmly
adhere to its present position, leaving to Great Britain
the responsibility of withdrawing from the Treaty.
The question of the interpretation of the Treaty belongs
to the Board of Arbitration, and the United States
will abide all its decisions.

The Herald says that America cared nothing for the
money part of the Treaty when signed, and the ma-
jority of American public men thought the United
States would receive about 20 millions of dollars.
Many, on the other hand, believed that America
would receive nothing, the English being regarded
as an offset to the American claims. The country
had gladly dismissed the matter to Geneva, and
was now surprised by the sudden and angry
expostulations of England and its imputations of
fraud. America was not to be bullied into a with-
drawal of the Case because Mr. Gladstone fears the
intrigues of Mr. Disraeli and the demonstrations of Sir
C. Lillie. The United States cannot withdraw the
Case, nor honourably accept a stipulated sum as a
I solace for their wrongs. If England abandons the
Court in yassion, let the United States retire with
dignity. .i.et the Alabama Claims stand, and thereby
let England be held to bail to keep peace with the
world.

The New York Times says that the Americans never
hoped that Great Britain would settle the portentous
and immeasurable losses set forth in the American
Case. The claims for consequential damages are too
vast in value to becorce the basis of legal demand
and satisfaction. The magnanimous British apology
in the prelude to the Treaty in a great measure made
atonement, and the country gladly went before
an honourable Court of Arbitration. Great Britain
having conceded so much, it was hardly wise to press
vague claims, but Mr. Gladstone's violent perch has
put matters beyond the reach of compromise. The
two Powers, by the foolish excitement of the British
people, have returned to a quarrelsome position, and
a dispute has been left which will always threaten
England in the event of war withother Powess.