The Sun.
London, England, 1869-05-08 00:00:00

THE UNITED STATES V. THE UNITED KINGDOM.

This long-drawn cause does not seer' to be ap-
proaching anything like a termination. The special
correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, writing from
Washington on April 23, says that Mr. Motley was
in that city, and his instructions were being drawn
up by the late Attorney-General and Mr. Caleb
Cushing, both able lawyers, and the new
ambassador will present in a very formal
and elaborate manner the American case as
against England. The correspondent goes on to
give particulars which, if they be well founded,
show that the position of this question is extremely
grave, and that the relations between the two
countries, instead of being of that friendly and
cordial character which Mr. Reverdy Johnson has
all along described them to be, are likely to become
exceedingly strained. The correspondent says, "
Motley's case, I have been assured, will not greatly
differ from the line of argument pursued by Mr.
Sumner; he will contend that the recog-
nition of belligerent rights in the Confede-
rates was a wrong to be acl:n3wledged, and
that the Alabama claims shall not be put upon the
ordinary footing of international claims ; also, that
the measure of damages is not to be limited to the
ships actually destroyed by the Alabama and her
consorts, but that something like a hundred millions
of dollars is to be added for the general loss to the
national marine. In a word, I apprehend that views
will be presented which, if not going quite so far as
Mr. Sumner's speech, shall, at least, transcend the
limits of the American claims as heretofore pre-
sented." Mr. Sumner, at least, expects this; but the
correspondent does not suppose that the public men
of the country anticipate that England will yield.
He imagines that they rather think to keep the
question open, unsettled, in order to press it at some
time less favourable to us, and when, therefore, we
shall be compelled to concede something more than
we conceded under the Alabama convention. War
is not looked for, at least not with England. The
ships in the American dockyards are, indeed, being
got ready with so much haste and energy, under the
supervision of Admiral Porter, that evidently some-
thing is on hand ; but that something is supposed to
be the annexation of Cuba rather than a raid up the
Mersey.

In a leader on this subject, which is evidently of
official inspiration, the Daily/ 7'elegraph considers
that Mr. Sumner's speech,. wild as it was, did, never-
theless, express the opinions of a very influential
party in the United States. Our contemporary fully
expects that Mr. Motley will be instructed to make
demands for the most part embodying that speech,
and says that while Mr. Motley will, of course, be
received with courtesy, "he will be told, in
language of the utmost clearness and sincerity,
that his pretensions are utterly inadmissible ; that
the claims he advocates cannot even be examined, in
the absence of a basis for discussion; and that the
concessions we have already made go to the extreme
verge of what our national dignity and our rights as
an independent Power will permit." The Telegraph
does not imagine that this step will lead to a rupture.
The truth is the Americans are just now sore and
suffering ; especially do they feel the burden of taxa-
tion, and they would be very glad to transfer half
their national debt to our shoulders. But we shall
at once shew that we have not any intention of listen-
ing to such wild novelties, and it is not likely that the
Americans will increase their burdens by entering
upon another war. Our policy is silence and
patience, believing that the wholesome influences of
time and the mature judgment of the American
people will bring about the desired settlement.
The Times, in a leader on this subject, admits that
the matter has become very grave. It deeply laments
that Mr. Sumner's speech should have revived an
unreasoning animosity that had subsided. It points
out the absurdity of Mr. Sumner's supposition that
the power of the North was paralysed by a single
piratical steamer, and that the mere sound of a royal
proclamation struck such terror into the ranks of the
Northern armies as to cost them two or three years of
war. The Times plainly tells the Americans that we shall
absolutely refuse to listen to their new demands. We
endeavoured to do what was just, and we altogether
decline to submit our motives to any arbitration. We
are willing to submit our conduct to such arbitration,
to leave it to the arbiter to say if we were culpably
negligent, and to pay the cost of our negligence if
it is proved. More than that we cannot and will not
do. In fact, the demand for more is so unreasonable
that, unless there is a settled intention to pick a
quarrel, Mr. Stunner's policy is too preposterous to
be entertained.

Mr. Goldwin Smith writes to the Beehive, from
Boston, April 18, on the present relations between
the two countries. They are not what he could wish,
and though he does not expect hostilities, he thinks
that war is a by no means impossible contingency,
lie says :
" The information respecting the prospects of English
emigration, which I was requested to procure, had been
collected to the best of my ability, and I was about to
send it for publication in your columns ; but the speech of
Mr. Sumner has had so great an effect in reviving
American hostility to England, and the continuance of
friendly relations between the two countries appears at this
moment to be in such peril, that I fear the promoters and
organisers of English emigration cannot for the present
prudently turn their thoughts in this dizection. Judging
from what I know of the general temper of the American
people, and from the language respecting Mr. Sumner's
speech which I hear held in conversation, I should say
there would be no rupture; but at the same time I hold
myself prepared for a turn of affairs which would oblige
English residents to leave this country."