The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-14
Fenian Priyateering The "Alabama'
Score.
From the Herald.

Fenian Prlvateering - The "Alabama'
From the Herald.
The sudden anxiety manifested by the Eng
lish press to effect settlement OF the Alabama
claims, after deuouncing them so fiercely, gave
rise recently to a good deal of speculation. We
set the fact down to the account of the general
embarrassmeuts of England, without.ataching
importance to the report in circulation that
there was special cause for alarm which rem
dered the prompt settlement of these claims
MAJ ,er of the most urgent necessity. We knew
that efforts were being made to fit out privateers
on this side, but it was so doubtful that they
would succeed in getting away, that we did not
care 10 allude to them as furnishing the grounds
for this anxiety. Now that 1t Is stated that a
heavily armed priVateer has been seized in the
MeG way, there is no longer any motive for this
reserve. Whether it be true or not that a
second one has succeeded in etfecting its escape
from this side, it is not the less certain that this
mode of carrying on the war forms one of the
main features of Mr.. stephens plan.
What was sought to be effected by the seizure
of Canada he has been endeavorng to accom-
plish from our own ports. How far he has sue
ceeded in realizing his expectations through
the connivance or the indifference OF United
States officials remains to be seen. That the
English detectives on this side are pretty we'll
posted on the subject we may fairly assume,
from the nervous anxiety which the English
ministerial organs are exhibiting to have all
outstanding questions OF difficulty settled with
us. Nothing short OF a very pressing apprehen-
sion would have led them TO recall the protests
they had so energeically made against the salts
faction of the Alabama claims. One of the great
sources of danger TO England in connection
with Stephens movement lies in the latitude of
construction which our Government may be
disposed TO place on the neutrality laws, in
accordance with the precedent established by
that case. The question is whether her new.
born repentance IN regard to it does not come
too late, and whether Mr.. Stephens has not
already prohted largely by the opportunities
afforded him by her delay.
The confidence which he has manifested in
announcing The commencement of the irish in
surrection for the beginning of the new year,
could not have been based solely on the tor
waroness of his preparations at the other side.
Without artillery, without O commlssariat,
without even officers OF known capacity, there
would seem to be but little chance OF success for
the movement, shut off as IL would apparently
be from all communication from without The
case becomes materially altered, however, when
we learn that there is a chance OF this Gordon
being broken through by armed privateers and
st large supplies OF war nodtertet being intro
duCed into the country. Indeed, without some
such certainty, the outbreak would seem to be
prompted by sheer insanity. We never looked
upon Mr.. Stephens as such visionary as to be
WILING 10 hazard nis neck in SO reckless way.
II he has really gone to ireland, he has done so
In the conviction that he will obtain all the
support that he needs from without; and this
being the case, we may look for further impor-
tant developments IN connection with his
arrangements AT this side, and more particu-
larly in regard to the departure of private
from our coasts. -
The movement as thus conducted will OF
course, cause some embarrassment to our Gov
eminent, but II VIII make q great mistake ii IL
exhibits too great zeal in the endeavor to fulfil
what it considers its neutrality obligations
England has had warning enough of the dan
gers to which the precedent set up by the Ala
bamd case expose her. What the principles
established by it call upon us TO do, let us fula
and nothing more. We are not bound to give
stricter construction to international law, il
When she comes forward frankly and offers t