The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-14

to be presented on either side. The Minis
ters Of the two countries have come TO
details. They have got common standing
ground, we take it, in this regard, that they
assent to the necessity for full and clear set
tlement Of the claims growing out of the war,
as preliminary to perfect mutual under
standing. Mr.. Stewards letter of August q,
1866, revives the consideration of the ques-
tion in terms which not only show tho
rough regard to the comfy which should be
maintained between the great nations having
common civilization, and, measurably, COM
mon aims, but which relieve Lord Stanley of
much of the party odium which would neces-
sarily attach to Minister who contempates
the revision and the partial reversal of his
predecessors policy. With admirable tenn
per, and in kindly spirit, Mr.. Seward says,
upon the British privateering expeditions,
and the concession Of belligerent rights to the
Southern belligerents:-
"This Government, while it thus insists upon
these particular claims, is neither desirOus nor
willing to assume an attitude unkind or uncon-
clliatory towards Great BritaiL. II on her part
there are claims, either of a commercial char
acter, or of boundary, or of commercial or judi
cial regulation, which her Majesty's Govern
ment esteem important to bring under exami-
nation at the present time, the United States
would in such case be not unwilling to take
them into consideration in connection with the
claims which are now presented on their part,
and with a view TO remove at one time and by
one comprehensive settlement all existing
Some of the general points of argument in
Mr.. Stewards August letter Lord Stanley un-
dertook to answer in letter of two months
later date, to which Mr.. Seward, in the be-
ginning of the present year, made an elabo-
rate reply. But the gist of the correspon-
denoe additional to the frank and genial
statement of the Secretary of State, as quoted
textually above) is found in subsequent let
ters. Thus, on the 9th of March last, Lord
Stanley writes:-
"The real matter at issue between the two
Governments, when Kept apart from collateral
considerations, is whether in the matter con-
tions the claims OF American citizens have
arisen, the course pursued by the British Gov
ernment, and by those who acted under Its
authority, was such would involve a moral
responsibility on the part OF the British Gov
eminent to make good. either in whole or in
part, the losses of American citizens. This is
plain and simple question, easily to be con-
sidered by an arbiter and admitting of solution
without raising other and wider issues; aud on
this question her MaJesty's Government are
f1Iy Preparsd 10 90 70 srPtraSn VIII the
arbi er is unfavorable to the British view, the
examination Of the several claims of citizens
of the United States shall be referred to a mixed
commission, with view to the settlement OF
the sums to be paid on them."
In another part of this despatch, Lord Stan
ley says that in the proposal of the Queens
Government to arbitrate on the questions at
issue, they desire limited reference to arbitra-
tion in regard to the so-called Alabama claims,
and adjudication by means of a mixed COM
mission of mixed claims" This proposal Mr..
Seward naturally interpreted as meaning that
the Alabama claims alone, excluding the de-
predations of other privateers, were to be sub
mitted to a mixed commission; but on this
point Lord Stanley, writing ON the oath of
May last, thus explains himself
"Mr. Seward says clearly enough that the
! Government Of the United States can mot con-
sent TO special and peculiar Limitation of
arbitration in regard to the Alabama claims
! such her Majesty's Government suggest; but
! from his next observation, 1t might be Inferred
that the offer, as regards arbitration, made by
her Majesty's Government, in my despatch of
the 9th of March, was understood TO have ap-
ipgs ofthe Alabama, to the exclusion of those
! Florida, Shenandoah and Georgia. II Is fme ftHe
/ portant TO clear up this, and you will therefore
! tration was not restricted to the claims arising
! out of the proceedings of the Alabama, but APP
I piled equally to those arising out of the like
| proceedings Of the other vessels that have
named"
To this the final rejoinder made by Mr..
! Seward, on the 18th of last month is as fol-
| lows:-
1.-The President considers these terms to be at
! once comprehensive and sufficiently precise to
include all the claims of American citizens for
! depredations upon their commerce during the
late Rebellion, which have been the subject of
complaint upon the part of this Government.
But the United States Government, in this
before the arbiter that the actual proceedings
and relations of the British Govern ment, It's
officers, agents, and subjects, towards the
/ United States in regard to the Rebellion and
the Rebels, as they occurred during the Rebel
lion, are among the matters which are con-
nected with the vessels whose depredations
are complained OF, just as In the case of general
claims alluded to by Lord Stanley, the actual
| proceedings and relations OF ner Majesty s
Government its officers, agents. and subjects,
in regard to the United States and in regard to
the Rebellion and the Rebels are necessarily
connected with the transactions out OF which
those general claims arose."
The sum, then, of the difference between
the two Governments, so far as reaching a
fair basis of conference and arbitration is con-
cerned, seems to be reduced to the question
whether the policy as well as the acts OF the
British Government and its agents in relation
to the late Rebellion shall come under
review. The matter thus in dispute-if it is
actually in dispute--does not seem material.
The policy of the Gu, ems advisers will Incl
dentally come under notice in determining the
validity of the claims submitted. And we
should judge that the principle of arbitrating
these claims, if once heartily assented to on
both sides, a settlement which shall prove
mutually satisfactory to both Governments
need not be long deferred.
Constitutional Liberty