The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-09-15
the ALABAMA CLAIMS.

the ALABAMA CLAIMS.
English Opinion of the Oncial Corresponds
ence-Nr. Stewards Argument on Belliger-
ent Recognition.
from the London Times September 8.
The correspondence respecting British and American
claims arising out of the late civil war in the United
states has Just been published The public mas been Tor
the most part prepared for it, and will not be surprised
at It's tenor, though many will be disappointed that no
pro2ress has been made towards the settlement OF
somewhat irritating dispute The chief questions which
divide the two countries have been long and
thoroughly discussed that we have little hope Of
throwing q new light upon them. ruev have now.
we should suppose been quite exhausted in the
long and elaborate dispatches of Mr. Seward and
Lord stanley These communications are very credit
able TO DO h their authors, those of MIR. Seward
especially being written in a vigorous and confident
shall not snier in his hands. Lord Stanley, though
acu'e and critical Is less Impressive. since he has to
stand on he do ensive and TO excuse acts which are
denounced as breach Of International right, and which
certainly req ire explanation
we must however, repeat the opinion we nave before
expressed tha except for the depradatons Of the Ala
bama. the United States have no just cause to com
pam Of tho conduct of Great Britain as a tate
during the late war One can see how differently
these events are viewed in Amsri a, aud how much
the Americans disposed to look upon the
sympathy OF ind duas England for the Confederate
cause a. ground for complaint a2ainst the nation.
When Mr. eward in OF tnee dispatches speaks of
the of the Alabama having been rescued "w It'll
fraudulent connivance" BY British sdbecs and 'osten-
atiousy entertained aud caressed meritorI0us but
unfortunate heroes at Sou bamp onn yve eau perceive
that tho denonsrat favor OF the Southerners
have given lasting offence to their opponents. Such
feeling NATURAL though ought no. TO dnd expression
n State paper which processes 20 deal strictly with
the question whether the United states have been in
ured by England But throughout the convection that
Engshnen ac an ungenerous part during the late war
by sympainz with tho Contederaes appears almost
rongiv The assertion that the Brush government
has inflicted positive injury. This feeling is evinced
by the reern of the complaint that ,he Confederaes
we're recognized as beligerents Formerly the act has
been dweu uoon az aproof OF tie evi disposition OF
Lord Pa'mers 0nS government 10 toe repuoic and as "a
departure from at friendly domeanor which ought to
have boen ex bi,ed to friendly nation Now, how
ever, Mr. seward at emps B., constitute 1t breach 81 in
terDatonal AMI OF 20 tive injury which ought
to aoned tor he desratch in which this view OF the
intimarei is ne first IN tho puoc uon,
and Is dated 27 of August 1865 In this despatch
Mt. Seward makes formal epant FOR compensation
on account OF t,e losses suffered by American com.
mercc and accompanies It wiih summary OF tue
claims. The vesse account Of whose captures he
makes this ella 10 ae not only Toe abama but also the
Sumter, the Florida the shenandoah and Others, which,
he maintains Sere Dlil ma ned armed, equipped and
fitted out Ia British ports aud despatched ihererom by
the agency OF British subjects, and which were bar
bored, sheltered provided aud furnished occasion
required in Bri DORIS OF the United Kingdom aud OF
the colonies IN nearly all parts OF he gobe. While
lhus demanding compensation Mr. Seward states that
his governm does not desire unkind and
uncopcal,ry attitude towards Great britain, and he
then singular sug testion ' II on her ((;reet
Briains) part here are claims either o commercial
character y OF boundary or o. commercial or judicial
iation which her MaisSty's govern pent esteem i'm
porlant hring under exnaon al tue present time,
the United tales wori 10 such case, BE- not unwilling
TO take them int confederation ~ COunexon with the
claims which en:ed on their part, and with
view TO remov al one time and by one conpre.
hensve sstement all existing OF mis-.
undersiandiaa' = We cannot but thnk that the
invitation 10 discuss at the came time anr
tang about WITH ch ha coun res NAV have differed
Is Almost 90 aiept to acc u refer u arbitration
thc Alabama densnis separa'eiy WHAT tho ella IN wh
respect to bound"ry be cannot say, bu II IS evil
dent taat Eneiih biin ter however great hi desire
e. 10 sce in a matter in which there reason to
belle that niirv had been done by the rem-sness q
English funconaries could not enter INT, discussions
arrar entity unlinited Their scopc. Lord stan,ey
could hardy agree 70 submit 20 arbitration, or even to
dsbaie, the question whether the c,ss Of part ri
Bri isi America wold he Il, compensation for the
losses Suffered by American traders.
NJ. Seward proceed &c indicate that Ia his opinion
toe discussion wound have wider range than any the
British Minister might contemplate lie distinctly LAYS
It down that the recognition of the Conederte as BEL
ligercns was ian act o. wrongful intervention de.
partlre from the Obligations or existing treaties, and
without SANCTION o. the law Of nations" He complains,
his countrymen have compla ned before, thai while
yet the VI, uDdeveopod and the Insurgents
were without any organized military force or any treas
ury and fore they bad a snip AZ sea- England nrp-
claimed the South besereut Power and thus raised u,
in regard to tho pro ecnton OF an un sin armed nsu
reciion. 20 nm equality Win tire Unted states Although
the Presidents government ''has not denied that
within me sovereign authority OF Great Britain 10
sumo this attitude, vet II has sted, ami does sti
insist, that 'The assumption OF thai attitude
sarily and premaiIray would De Injurious proceed
ny for which Gre,, Bran would ininsd ateiy come
under full responsibility justify IL, reudv re1res
ana indemnity As the American government holds
that this recognition aid in tact not only encourage the
Souiherers in their rebellion but also caused large
hers OF British subjects to aid them their military and
naval operations against the United states, II 10 lows
and the United States the injury suffered By the
United States throrrh the Queens proclamation Of May
1861 must be eemsn. IN the examination. This Is
the substance Mr.. Stewards hrst despatch, ami 1t Is
only necessary further to call sttent to the contrast
which he draws between the conduct Great Britain
the time OF the Southern nsurectnn aud tho repression
OF the Fenian movements for which hs taxes credit TO
the United States government.
Lord Stanley replies with much ability and far
concern the OF the Queens proclamation, with
complete success. We have not space now to argue
again this much vexed question; r. enough 70
say that the Bri. government showed BY its
proclamation tina. It lad justly OWNED the
character OF the struggle. Can IL be said that
O confeferacy raising armies to be reckoned by hun
dreds OF thousands Of men, and fighting year after
OF the greatest battles OF modern times, be
nty denied the status Of beigerentp In fact it
Engllshmen VINO, bystanders, moro clearly the
grea Of struggle than did the American gov
eminent itself which At rs called out only 600 men,
and confidently asserted that the whole business
would be over. Lord stanley reminds his opponent
before the intelligence OF the adopted BY
Mscstys government could roach America three States
had seeded 10 addition to the FIRST seven, upwards
Of 100, 900 had been called out by the President
aud had TO DO taken for the defence
Of the capital But The really decisive point that
the President had placed the Southern ports under
the proclamation had reached Washington ads
had actually commenced. and the right Of search aud
capture had already been exercised British vessels
The defence made for the escape Of the vessels which
not conc usive II may well be that q government
10 responsible II takes oil due precauton pre-.
vent such acts and believe the British government
did such precautions But these propositions may
cunning OF Confederate parzans these ships and their
ornaments sent TO sea, though separately, and
that thus by means Of EnglIshmon was the maritime
trade Of the North crippled
- the WRECK OF THE J. 7. FORD.