New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-24

drawal by telegraph. He said in his recent speech
4" / speak, Lord Stanley knows from knowledge,
when say that the difficulties which have for some
time threatened the peace Of the two countries
are nOw-what shall 1 say, Mr.. Secretary'-I
almost pause for reply-are now at an end" Which
brought down loud and protracted cheering In
the sham speech, the point disappears and the state
ment is softened into agreeable generality.
However socitOus," says Mr.. johnson, upon this
subject, they may have been during the past few
years. and whatever fears they may have entertained
that these relations might be seriously disturbed, l
hope that they now satisfied know there is
good cause for their being satised-that no such dis
turbance will occur. hope that his Lordship your
Foreign Secretary will not consider improperly
divulgng the progress of our negotiations, if add
that my knowledge upon this point is obtained from
such progress What wasbed-out, diplomatic
version this is of the positive, flaming statement
coming over the wire from his loosened lips!
But no matter what version we take, the truth is
bad enough. The English journals have been told to
say, and do say that Mr.. johnson and Lord Stanley
have agreed to refer to the King of Prussia the pre-
liminary question: whether England is liable at all
for the damage done by the Alabama If liable
mixed commission sitting IN London is to receive
proof of claims including equally all British claims
against America.
cannot be mistaken in supposing that you have
this story by telegraph and have already denounced
the bargain as fraud on the English side. and
a shameful surrender on the part Of Minister Is
this the price Mr. Johnson pays for the good will OF
English Rebels The liability which he agrees the
King of Prussia shall decide, is a liability which Lord
Stanley himself has admitted. No American can
have forgotten that Alabama debate in the House
last session. on the 9th of March, which Mr.. Cyrus
Field telegraphed in full to NewYork. Lord Stanley
said-no doubt in words of diplomatic caution, but
still unmistakable-
81 have never concealed my opinion that the Amer
lean claimants or some of them at least. under the
reference proposed by MS were very likely to make
out their case and TO get their money"
II there be any doubt about the meaning of these
words, there is a comment upon them and an inter
probation of them in the speech of Mr. John Stuart
Mill. on the same evening Mr. Mill said:
Il cordially welcome the hints thrown out by the
noble Lord as to the probability of settling this
question in some other cdy than BY arbitration. Indeed
do not see for what arbitration is specially required
believe that there are few in this country at present
who are disposed to deny that we owe reparation IN
some sort degree TO the United States. II Is quite
clear that the noble Lord STANLEY IS Of his opinion
This, therefore is not in which arbitration Is
wanted II we owe anything, We must pay IT, and
what want is some one to say not uhether nee ought
10 paw bat hoio much. and this would be best
decided. not by arbitration, but by mixed com
mission
Is not that plaiu' But it is followed by declare
ton if possible still palmer Mr.. Mill went on to
say;
IF negotiations were rcopened on The bass Of an
admission that we ored them repardhon and that the
object was merely to ascertain the amount, cannot
believe that there would be any considerable ann
Guilty in arriving at a settlement without gong be-
yOnd the two dIsputauts'
Thai is Nj. Mills exposition Of Lord Stanleys
meaning immediate. complete and decisive III was
spoken IN Lord Stanleys presence ana whoever
knows anything of the usagcs of the ltousc knows
that If he had been misreprcsented by Mr MIL hhe
correction would have been made ON me spo! bui i
there could be no correction. W WIS what l'ofd
Stanley then meant. iic was at that time ready 10
conccdc the liability of England for the Alabama
claims. aud go INTO commission TO determine
only the amount Mr.. Johnsons diplomacy
has brought about q withdrawal of that concession.
and "A reference of the question of original liability
10 an arbitrator surrounded by English influences.
Whether Lord Stanley had ever conceded II or not.
the point j. one on which the American people long
since made mp their mind. The first step 10 closing
of the Alabama quarrel ~ frank admission 10y the
English Government OF their liability for the Ala
bama damages That made. the question of amount
and proof may readily be submitted To- Arbitration.
Of course Mr. Johnson does not understand the iccl
ing and determination al the American people this
point any better than he does IN the matter of his
associations with ROebuck aud Land How should
II would be Aughable n II were not plilable To see
the efforts Of Mr Johnson to escape the force OF the
criticism his friendships with Laird and Roebuck.
He cannot conceive that people at home should think
II ANYTHING but an honor Tor their Minister TO be- adj
miticd into such society lie believes they are DIS
satisfied because they suspect the sincerity of Mr..
Laird. az most because OF some sinister influence
upon hi, negotiations. In his speech 10 the Lord
Mayor Mr.. johnson says: ." have been somewhat
criticised both here and at home for the manner m
which have met and returned the Cvlhtes with
which have been hOnored III but when the critics
hnd that the cIvilitios exhibited toward me, and
the return which | have made 10 them. have
not injuriously affected the negotiations which have
been conducted between your noble Secretary Tor
Foreign Affairs and myself. they will be satisfied
that the one was as sincerely offered as ! know that
the other sincerely recIprOcatedI In the sham
speech sent by Mr. Johnson TO The Times as an ''au
thentic copy'-cOpy of what'-his statement Is even
more base Those who may IN either country have
criticised the conduct have pursued IN return Tor
the ciyiiies offered me. would not have done so II
they had not forgotten that 1t Was my duty TO re-
move preiudices and enmties! That is MI, Key
er,iy .lohnsons sober second thought sent 10 the
Times two days after he had tasted the Lord Mayors
cup He sent here 20 remove the prejudlces OF
Mr.. Laird should think even Andrew johnson
would begin TO vince when he sees his appointed
Minister go down on his knees to that pirate build
ing enemy OF his country.
/ do not for moment imagine that the ablect ana
stupid diplomacy of tins mock minister VIII De lail
fled al home The echo OF the Liverpool dinner
which Mr., Gladstone, with hls usual indebtedness
in American topics anticpated-has come pack 10 us
IL il such advice IA reaches even MI Reyeldy john
sons ears and dull IA he 49, he feels that there Is in
dignatiOn enough 10 endauger the success OF his
negotiations. The sound common sense OF the
people perceives that Minister who has no idea OF
national honor is incapable of settling question
with which national honor has more 10 do than
dollars and cents The English may well lavish
batteries tins weak old man. Till he came they had
no hope Of settling the Alabama business without
Illuminating admission OF their guilt, and Their com
plete responsibility. lie steps IN TO relieve them
from the shame, 10 put them on a Level with the ma
ton whom they wIOnged and To send both parties
an enual terms before an arbitrator who may decide
that England IL not liable for claims which her
Foreign Minister has once admitted long To escape
from these topics but | must add one word on the
Texas certificate The New-lOrk correspondent of
The Uaiiy Ncrs of London gave some time SINCE a