The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-20
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1868.
The Alabama Claims.

present indications he will become more popu-
lar in that country than In the nation which
he ostensibly represents. There was not
necessarily any great improperly in his ad-
dressing various public assemblies in Great
Britain, but he certainly departed from the
usual routine in making such oratorioal dis
plays soon after his arrival in country in
which he was comparatively stranger, and
In uttering sentiments of affectionate regard
for the British people and institutions,
which are disapproved by large proportion
of American citizens. AS the real business
of Mr.. Johnson, however, is to represent Anne
rioan interests, conduct negotiations, and form
treaties, 1t matters comparatively little what
may be the nature of his unofficial declara-
tions, provided he displays sufficient skill
efficiency, and patriotism in his diplomatic in
tercourse with Lord Stanley. If he has praised
British institutions only as preliminary to
the administration of bitter pill, there will
be no serious objection to his compliments.
We confess, however, that the announcement
contained in recent cable telegram of the
mode in which he has agreed to adjust the
Alabama claims does not inspire strong hopes
of favorable and honorable issue. We are
told that "the basis agreed to by Mr.. Johnson
and Lord Stanley for a settlement of the
Alabama question is that a mixed commits
sion shall be formed, ,ohich 0H hold ats sessions
an London, and pass upon all claims preferred by
English and American citisenS." The Alabama
claims were of peculiar and imperative
character, belonging to an entirely different
category from the ordinary claims which orig-
nate in a variety of causes. Great Britain
suffered pirate ship to be fitted up in her
ports to prey upon American commerce, and
this ship not only captured and destroyed
large number of vessels, whose
value is we'll known, but virtually
drove American merchantmen from their
favorite cruising grounds, and left to British
vessels a monopoly of the carrying trade for
which American ships had previously been
energetic rivals. The direct damage thus in
Aioted amounted to millions of dollars, and the
indirect damage to hundreds of millions Of
dollars; and if, as the diplomatsts of our
country have hitherto alleged, this loss was
directly occasioned by the connivance or
neglect of British officials, the only manly and
Just way for the British Government to make
a thorough atonement was to dispose of this
case on its merits, and confess judgment to
such an amount as the circumstances required
In appointing mixed commission "to meet
at London" and to "pass upon all claims"
there is q fair prospect that sn endless sue
oession of charges against this Government
will be trumped up, and that the amount
allowed for the Alabama claims will be more
than counterbalanced by the ingenious raids Of
British cormorants upon the American trea-
sury. On former occasion, similar mixed
commission allowed to British claimants the
damages they had paid to the United States as
penalties for violating our Tariff laws, and
from this class of claims, alone, mixed COM
mission, sitting at London, would be able, If
il was inclined to favor British interests, to
figure up large indebtedness against this
country. For the vessels captured and con-
demned during the blockade bills might also
be presented And in addition to these and
other false offsets, the holders of the foreign
Rebel loan will probably make desperate
effort to secure its payment by the American
Government. 1t must not be forgotten that
the counsel of these bondholders have con-
stantly advised them that they should con-
tinue their efforts to secure an acknowledg-
ment of their claims from this country, and
they will not fail to avail themselves of the
splendid opportunity which Mr.. Johnson has
oAordad hy oopsaDtino ~ tho orpani ~ ation of
a mixed commission "for the consid GRAFTON OF
all claims" at London. We have heard from
various quarters that the holders of the foreign
Confederate loan intend to make desperate
effort to compel the United States to pay the
expenses of the war waged against our insti-
tutions and our commerce, and British agents
have been busily at work paving the way fol
a favorable consideration of this iniquitou'
demand. 1t will afford rich pckiugs for thu
LOBBYISTS at Washington, and seductive bribe
for the ''mixed commission" and still leave
If It is acknowledged, a large sum for tn
British friends and supporters of the Confede
raoy.
We shall be glad If the fears we have ex
pressed in regard to the probable result of tn
new phase of the Alabama question prov
unfounded, but trust our readers will watc
the progress of these negotiations closely, an
we shall be agreeably surprised if very goo
explanation is not finally given of Reverb
Jehnson's popularity in England.
Mr.. WILLIAM A. WALLACE, Senator thu
might have been, has issued, on paper bearin
his crest, his cengratulatory proclamatio
IN the people of the State on the result of th
f NJ vU.u.., -. 3;