The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-03 00:00:00

THE ALABAYA CLAIMS.

The chief questions which divide the United
States and Great Britain have been so long and thoroughly
discussed that the Timm has little hope of throwing a new
light upon them. They have now, it should suppose, been
quite exhausted in the long and elaborate despatches of
Mr. Seward and Lord Stanley. These communications are
very creditable to both their authors, those of Mr. Seward
specially being written in a vigorous and confident style,
as of a man who is determined that a good came shall not
suffer in his hands. Lord Stanley, though acute and criti-
cal, is less impressive, since he has to stand on the defen-
sive, and to excuse acts which are denounced as • breach
of international tight, and which certainly require expla-
nation. Except for the depredations of the Alabama, the
United States have no just cause to complain of the con-
duct of Great Britain se • state dining the late war. The
position assumed by Mr. Seward that the early recognition
of the Confederate States as belligerents " was an injurious
proceeding, for which Great Britain would immediately
come under • fell responsibility to justify it, or to
render rechuss and indemnity," the Times meets
by • repetition of the arguments used by Lord Stanley.
The defence made for the escape of the vessels which
preyed on America, commerce may be sufficient, but is not
so conclusive. It may well be that a government is not
responsible if it takes all due precaution to prevent such
acts, and the Times believes the British government did
take such precautions. But these propositions may be
combated, and it is beyond a doubt that through the cun-
ning of Confederate partisans these ships and their arma-
ments were sent to sea.

In the estimation of the Herald Lord Stanley's reply to
Mr. Seward is complete and crushing. By a reference to
dates he shows, with cruel conclusiveness, that it was not
the government of the United Kingdom but that of the
Federal States which first recognised the Confederates by
proclaiming a blockade, which American authorities, both
before and since the war, have described as a belli-
gerent right, only exercisable between independent
states is periods of hostilities. On this point,
therefore, Lord Stanley would yield no jot or tittle
of his countti's rights, not even by consenting to
refer to arbitration when there was nothing to arbitrate
about. And as to the Alabama cruisers, he could admit no
responsibility. Mr. Seward's facts were not the facts of
history. The British government had not "practically
tolerated" warlike expeditions. On the contrary, they
had stopped many ships, and had endeavoured, though
unsuccessfully, to stop others in like manner. Still, with-
out admitting liability at all, Lord Derby's cabinet would
be glad to settle this question, though they would do
nothing that would involve concessions of wrongdoing or
reflections upon their predecessors in office.
_ .

The Standard finds it difficult to understand why, if the
Washington government is as anxious to settle this matter
as it professes to be, it should impose a preliminary con-
dition which no self-respecting government could accept.
The state policy of a great country is no fitting subject for
the decision of an arbitrator, and we cannot afford to cut
it and calve and offer it for the critical judgment even of
Mr. Seward's nominee. It la* question of purely national
interest, and has no bearing whatever upon the subject of
the Alabama claims. The one ia a question of pounds,
shillings, and pence ; the other of the honour of the British
nation.

The United States have brought forward a new claim
against England for damages, on the ground that we non.
Hilted prematurely the existence of a war between the Noi th
and South, and they demand that this new question also
shall be submitted to arbitration. This the TrlegrapA
characterises as an incredible, extravagant, and preposter-
ous demand. England was not alone in recognising the
fact of a war between the North and the South ; every
nation on earth did the same. Every intelligent man in
the world knew that the war existed, and there is a subli-
mity of assurance in the complaint against us that would
provoke a smile, rather than indignation, if less important
consequences were involved.