The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

TIIE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply,
Mr. S. LEFEVRE called attention to the failure of the
negotiations with the United States Government for arbi-
tration of the Alabama claims, and said, in bringing for-
ward the subject, it was far from his intention to make
any observation that would be in tho least degree calcu-
lated to increase the difficulties which at present existed
between her Majesty's Government and the American Go-
vernment on the subject. The hon. gentleman then gave a
brief summary of the events connected with the breaking
out of the civil war in the United States, and also of the
matters connected with the building and launching
of certain vessels in this country which after-
wards appeared on the seas either as privateers or steam
rams, including the Alexandra, the Georgia, and the She-
nandoah, which were fitted with secrecy in England, and
then, on sailing beyond our jurisdiction, receiving their
arms from other vessels. The action which
these ships had on the foreign commerce of
America was very serious, and the burning of
ships which those vessels caused produced a protound im-
pression in America, but ho did not anticipate that war
would ensue through the failure of our negociations,
because ho felt surd that there was ono feeling
on both sides of the Atlantic., and that was
that this question should at once be finally settled
and brought to a conclusion. The hon. member then
proceeded to state how diplomacy had dealt with the ques-
tion, and referred to the steps taken by Mr. Adams,
the American Minister, in his communications with Earl
Russell, who, before the correspondence closed, declined
the offer of arbitration, defended the opinion given by the
law officers of the Crown, and declined altogether to make
any compensation for the damage the vessel had occa-
sioned. The hon. gentleman then referred to the change
that took place in the Administration in 1866, when Lord
Derby and his colleagues cane into power, and remarked
that a change seemed then to come over
the views of the then Government. In the
first interview that the noble lord (Stanley) had with
Mr. Adams, ho assured him of his groat desire to preserve
the most friendly relations with the United States, and
also that he could not be held responsible for the delivery
by certain members 91 Parliament 91 OQllits

Lord STANLEY said ho did not propose to follow the
hon. gentleman with respect to his strictures on the policy
of Earl Russell, because the noble lord had a difficult duty
to perform. With respect to the conflict which limit: ken place
between North and South, this country having at the out-
set determined upon a position of neutrafay that position
was scrupulously observed, and with respect to ques-
tion now under consideration, this country had
nothing to gain by keeping the matter .oPea
but a great deal to gain in getting it clos1d•
In the first place, the thing was to define accurately th..'
points to be settled, and this was no easy matter, because
the question had been so complicated that it would puzzle
a great many to state clearly what it was that was desired.
They were quite prepared to submit the Alabama claims to
arbitration, but he could not see what the other question
which it was also proposed should be submitted, viz.,
Were we right or wrong in recognizing the Confederate
States, had to do with the matter. (Hear, hear.) In con-
clusion, ho intimated that there might still be a 'solution of
the diffibulty besides arbitration. Mr. Seward had thrown
out hints of something in the nature of a general Commis-
sion to which the claims on both sides should be referred,
and he had requested him to put the suggestion into a
more formal share. If the substance could be agreed upon
neither the Government nor the country would be dis-
posed to stand too much on the form.
Mr. W. E. FORSTER did not agree with Mr. Shaw-
Lefevre that the negotiations had failed. There had been
a hitch, but another solution might be found, and looking
to the possible dangers to our commerce by leaving the
question unsettled, he suggested that Lord Stanley should
intimate his willingness to give indemnity for the past, if
the United States would come to some understanding by
which the• ravages of future Alabamas might be prevented.
He did not sympathise with the position wbichld.r. Seward
bad taken on the question of recognition, but he held that
Lord Stanley had mistaken bis meaning. What he con-
tended was, not that the arbitrator should decide on the
opportuneness of recognition, but that the United States
Government should be at liberty to urge that as an argu-
ment in the consideration of our liability for the Alabama.
Sir G. BOWYER argued that the neutral had as much
right to sell a ship as any other article contraband cf
war. The belligerent's remedy lay in his right to seize it
if he could. The Foreign Enlistment Act, he maintained,
did not affect the liability of our Government. It was an
act which could have been put into operation by any pri-
vate individual, and the Government in undertaking to
enforce its own municipal law had done a work of
supererogation which no foreign State had a right to re-
quire from it.
Mr. SANDFORD took the same view of international
law, and insisted that in assenting to arbitration Lord
Stanley bad established a very dangerous precedent. He
suggested that Mr. Bright should bo appointed to negotiate
a settlement of these claims.

Mr. MILL pointed out that both the preceding speakers
had confounded the sale of contraband with the right to
make the neutral's territory the basis of neutral opera-
tions. Our responsibility rested, not on our municipal law,
but on the non-fulfilment of our international duties; and
if our municipal law did not correspond with them, foreign
States had a right to require its alteration. He agreed
with Mr. Forster's interpretation of Mr. Seward's mean-
ing ; and as the point had now been reduced to a smal
compass, and as the offer of arbitration might be taken as
a confession that we owed reparation, he suggested the
appointment of a mixed commission to ascertain what da-
mages the United States were entitled to claim. The very
admission that we o wed reparation would of itself settle the
disputed point of international law.
Mr. GLADSTONE admitted that though Lord Russell
had refused arbitration, Lord Stanley, in accepting i
under altered circumstances, had not compromised the
national honour. He professed himself quite unable to
gather from Mr. Seward's language how he meant to use
the question of recognition, and, differing from Mr. Mill,
he denied that we had in any way admitted that repara-
tion was due. The very question to be referred to arbitra-
tion was whether we had been guilty of any lashes, but if
we were of opinion that we were in the wrong it was our
duty to offer reparation without waiting for arbitration.
In the same manner, he did not agree with Mr. Mill that
our acknowledgment that reparation was due would settle
the question of international law. That could only be
done by an agreement between the leading nations. Ex-
pressing his gratification at hearing from Lord Stanley
that the matter was not altogether closed, he promised to
support him in the attempt to bring it to a satisfactory
settlement.

Hero the discussion closed, and it was followed by a
rather animated conversation as to the introduction of the
Irish Reform Bill. It stands on the paper for Monday
night, and Mr. 0. Fortescue, referring to a report that it
would not be brought on then, asked Lord Mayo for in-
formation.

Mr. DISRAELI replied, and claimed for himself the
right of arranging the Government business as be thought
most generally convenient. As the Scotch Reform Bill
was fixed for Monday and Mr. Maguire's motion for Tues-
day, the Irish Reform Bill, which would be on the same
principles as the English and Scotch bills, would not be
brought in until Monday week.
Mr. GLADSTONE (supported by Mr. Cogan and Mr.
O'Beirne) complained of the delay, insisting that reform
was a vital portion of Irish policy. The house could not
satisfactorily debate Mr. Maguire's motion unless it were
in possession of the views of the Ministry on this point ;
and if the bill were not brought in, at least an outline
ought to be given of it.
Lord MAYO repeated that the Government adhered to
the arrangement which was the most convenient, and was
identical in order with that originally made, and thought
there bad been no complaint of it. •

Sir W. GALLWEY and Mr. WILD •brought in bills to
establish county financial boards ; and Major ANsoN ob-
tained the reappointment of his select committee on the
Indian army.

The house adjourned at 20 minutes to 9 o'clock.

SPORTING INTEL LIGENCE.

S TREA T HAM S TEE PLECHASES —FniDAY.

The NorburyPlate (Handicap) of 50 sous each ; winners

extra. About two miles and a half.
Mr. F. G. Hobson's Ace of Trumps, by King of Trumps
—Free Gift, aged, list 41b
Mr. Ellison's The Guide, aged, 12st 71b ..... ...(Owner) 2
Mr. J. Nightingall's Dunstaffnage, 5 yrs, lOst 121 b
(Elphick) 3

Capability and Wedding Peal also ran.
Betting-6 to 4 agst Ace of Trumps, sto 2 agst The
Guide, 3to 1 agst Capability. Won by a head.
Selling Steeplechase of 3 sovs each, with 25 added
weight for age, with soiling allowances. About two
miles. 5 subs.
Mr. Stedall's Strike, by Touchstone—The Darter (£3O),
aged, list 71b (Pickett) 1
Mr. Ellison's Leicester (.£5O), aged, 12st (Owner) 2
Mr. iframpton's Vigor (X3O), 4 yrs, lOst 71b (Daniels) 3

Oldminster and Baudoline also ran.

Betting-5 to 4 agst Leicester, 2to 1 agst Oldminster,
10 to 1 agst (at first 6to 4 on) Banduline. Won easily by
two lengths.
Streatham Grand Handicap of 10 so vs each, with 100
added; winners extra ; second received 20 sous. About
three miles and a half. 14 subs, eight of whom pay three

sovs oach.
Mr F. G. Hobson's Patience, by The Cure, dam by Moot-
tau—Dandy Jim's dam, aged, 12st (Ur. Wodehouse) 1
Mr J. Coatsworth's Queen blab, 5 yrs, 10st 121 b
(T. Pickett) 2
Mr F. G. Hobson's Bishopton, 5 yrs, 11st 101 b
(W. Gregory) 3

Hippolyto and Golden Cross also ran.

Mr Hobson declared to win with Patience.

Betting-6 to 4 agst Hippolyte, 2to 1 agst Golden Cross,
5 to 1 each agst Queen Mab and Meerschaum, 10 to 1 agst
Patience. Won in a canter by four lengths.
The Hunters' Steeplechase Plate of 40 sovs for hunters of
all ages ; llst 71b each ; winners extra ; and selling

penalties. About three miles.
Mr Cox's Leotard, by Tumbler—Nervous, aged, 12st 31b
(Colonel Knox) 1
Mr E. Clifford's Waterperry, aged, 12st 31b
(E. Clifford, jun.) 2
Mr H. Winter's Coventry (late Uncle Charley), 6 yrs,
list 7lb (W. Crunder) 3
The following also ran :—Bagshot, Veluti, Panshanger,
Laura.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Waterperry, 3to 1 agst Pans-
hanger, 4to 1 each agst Leotard and Bagshot. Won in a
canter by four lengths.

PROGRAMME OF CHELMSFORD SPRING
3IEETING.—TUESDAY, March 10.
The Cheltner Handicap of 15 sovs each, 10 ft. About ono
mile, straight. 45 subs.
Ago st lb
Leases 8 12
Act OD a ... 5 8 4
Artesian .., 5 8 4
Wild Bea 6 7 7
Porter's Knot ... 4 7 4
Cavalier ... 4 7 4
Manoeuvre f ~. 4 7 2
Pyrrhic ... 4 7 0
Sweet Willie 4 7 0
Ettrick 4 7 0
Tho. Trial Stake§ of 5 00111 ea'

Ago st lb
Ganymede... ... 4 7 0
Nanuie ... 4 6 13
Melbourne... ... 3 6 6
Demon ••• ... 3 6 6
Lady ram... ... 4 6 6
Thorndyko ... 3 6 5
Eleonora 3 6 5
Dr. Wilson ... 3 6 4
Moses ... 3 5 12
Doctor colt •.. 3 5 11
ich, with 2"O added ; two year

Knight of Garter -
(inc 141 b ex)...... 4 10 2
Indigestion ... 6 8 2
King of the Fairies 4 6 12
Conundrum ... 5 6 12
Attack c01t... 4 6 12
Vixen ... 6 6 5
J olio 4 6 5

Age st lb
Last Rose of Sum. 3 6 4
Pyrrhic ... ... 4 6 0
Easby ... 4 6 0
Innerdale ...-3 5 12
Scotchman's Pride. 3 5 12
Clemence ... 3 5 8

St. Valentine ... 3 5 7
Citron ... ... 3 5 7
The Wilton Plate of 80 sous (handicap). About half a
mile, straight.
The Whitehall Handicap of 5 sous each, 2 ft (to the fund)

with 50 added. About three quarters of a mile.
The Spring Handicap Steeplechase of 150 sovs, added to a
sweepstakes of 15 sovs. each. About three miles and a
half.

Age st lb Ago st lb
Astrolabe
Doctor
The Nun - all 13 Tusculanuni 6lO 6
_ ...

Daisy all 9 Greenland
The Lamb
Northern Light ... a 11 6 Flying Horse
Globule a 11 5 Corkscrew (h b) ... 6 10 3
Pearl Diver all 5 Clansman 6 10 2
Hall Court a 11 2 Helen a 10 2
Despatch
Columbia
Garus alo 12 Owen Roe 5 10 0
L.S.D.
Flandrin
Huntsman's Daugh a 10 7 Golden Cross
A Steeplechase Plate of 100 sovs (Handicap). Two miles

and three-quarters.
A Hurdle Race Handicap of 5 soya each, 2 ft (to the fund),
with 50 added. One mile and three quarters, over six
hurdles.

A Selling Stakes of 8 soya each, with 25 added ; two year
olds 6st 101 b, throe Bst 121 b, four lOst lib, five and up-
wards lOst 31b. About 5 furlongs, straight.

A. Plate of 40 sous (Handicap); winners after the declara-
tion of the weights 71b extra. About half a mile,
straight.

WEST DRAYTON SPRING FLAT AND HURDLE

RACES.
THURSDAY, March 12.

The Selling Stakes of 3 sovs each, with 20 added. About

h:ilf a mile.

The Ivor Plate of 40 sous (Handicap) ; winners after

March 6 (at tAn a.m.) 71b extra. About five furlongs.
The Hurdle Race Handicap of 5 sovs each, 2 ft, with 30
added; winners of any hurdle race after March 6
(at ten a.m.) 71b extra. About two miles, over seven
hurdles.

The Selling Hurdle Plate of 30 8078 (Handicap)• About

one mile, over four hurdles.

The Middlesex Ilandieap of 5 83V8 each, 2 ft, with 30

added. About one mile.
The Open Hunters' Plato of 30 sovs ; four year olds lOst
12th, five list 7113, six and aged 12t. One mile and a
half on the flat.

The Selling Hurdle Plato of 30 sous (Handicap); the
winner to be sold for 40 sous. About one mile, over
four hurdles.

The Selling Plate of 30 sovs ; three year olds 7st 71b, four
Bst 71b, five Bst 121 b, six and aged 9st. About three-
quarters of a mile.

FRIDAY.

The Tradesmen's Cup, for horses the property of persons
residing within twenty miles of London ; llst 71b each.
Three-quarters of a mile.
The West Drayton Spring Handicap of 7 sovs each, 2 ft,
. .