The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-11-28
rhr Alabama CInins.

1t is now positively stated that the
Alabama claims are in a fair way for
settlement. Minister JOHNSON and
Lord STANLEY have agreed upon a con-
yention to dispose of these claims, ana
their proceedings ale now in the hands
of the President for approval. Their
agreement includes the appointment OF
three commlssioners-two by Great
Britain and one by the United States
who snail sit in Washington and pass
npOn all claims of the class mentioned
within twelve months, and whose de-
clsious shall be final.
The stipulation that Great Britain
shall name two of the Commissioners
V,ll not be rapturously approved by the
popular voice. 1t simply allows the
United States a representation upon the
Commission. but gives to England
complete preponderaEcc Of power. II
either side is to have the majority Of
course our people would prefer it, see
ing that they would rather trust them
selves than almost anybody else that
could be named. But if this could not
be agreed upon, il strikes us that the
selection Of the third Commissioner
from some country not pecuniarily in
terested in the result would be perfectly
fair and would leave no room for COM
plant upon either side.
4 question has been raised as to what
shall be done with the money, if any
should be awarded our Government by
way of indemnity. Shall it be given to
all owners of vessels destroyed by the
Aabamaf Many of them have already
been remunerat0d by insurance compa-
lies. Shall the companies themselves
receive the cash in such cases' With
them assurance, including the payment
Of losses, was a strictly business opera
ton, and their losses, it is said, were
more than made good by the increased
premium rates charged by them upon
marine policies while the Alabama was
"on the rampage" If there are cases
10 which neither insurer nor insured
Is ont of pocket by the Alabama's little
manOeuyr,s, it is clearly not right that
either should now receive the benefit OF
Tie Indemnity proposed to be made by
the British Government to our own. In
such contingency it would seem more
equitable that the money should 60 in
tothe general Treasury and be applied
10 public purposes.
Tie New York HerdIds Washington
special says:
From all that / have been able to as
certain, the following is the substance
o! the Convention between Mr.. John.
sou and Lord Stanley, which has re
crlved the approval of the British Gov
eFument, and is now under COusidera-
ton by the President. The high con
tTsc!ing parties agree that all claims OF
tle part OF companies or private iRdi
Nduals, citizens of the United States
upon the Government of her Britannia
AaJesty, shall be referred to three Com
Imlssioners, to be appointed in the fol
lowing manner, viz: Two Commission
ers shall he named by her Britannia Mai
ssty, and one by the President of th
Onited States. In case of the death
absence or inability of either Commits
aoner, the high contracting partie!
shall name another. The Commission
srs so named shall meet in the city o
Washington, in the United States, a
Tue earliest convenient period after the,
snail have been appointed, and shall
oeiore proceeding to business, max
ana subscribe solemn declaration tina
tuey will impartially and carefully ez
anime and decide to the best of thei
Judgment, and according to Justice an
equity, without fear, favor or affectio
70 their own country, upon all claim
mat may be laid before them.
Iu case the Commissioners shall di,
ter III opinion on any of the claims ur
ueF consideration, and be unable I
agree on decision, they shall select .
arbitrator some one fthe sovereigns ,
europe, who shall be friendly to bot
governments. To the arbiter, or uu
pre- the question in dispute shall |
,eietfed, and his decision in such a ca
0e deemed final and conclusive.
Inc commissioners shall investiga
a.9 a decide on such claims in the ord
""u manner they may think proper, b