The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-16
THE sUEz CANAL.
The Hmoct 81 tho Work In New Point Of
Wew-The Alabama Olaims I'm Question.

In0 Hmoct 81 th0 Work IN New Point OF
view-The Alabama Claims in Question.
the question OF the Alabama claims" although
sheived Tor the present. may at any convenient pc
into any controversy as to the merits OF the case but
with your permsslOn to raise attention 70 Q crcuni-
stance not hitherto considered, namely, now the at
utude Of this country may be anected, in dealing
with TINS complex question, by the opening OF the
suez Canal on the 18th November next; ana TO
readers.
beg it, however to be distinctly understood that.
as y would Ill become any member OF the admins.
trati0n Of the Suez Canal Company to betray any
party or national bias shall endeavor as far as
lies IN my power, to confnc my observations TO
from them leaving your readers to decide for them
selves. With TINS object In view, 1t is necessary
reference to the alabama claims.n
IL may still be fresh in the recollection OF your
readers tnas Two days ater the signature Of the Con
Johnson informed Lord Stanley that he had received
Geographic message saying, ''Claims Convention
ing; and that it Is essential TO Its approval ~
the Senate that the place be Washington, and
he considered it would be productive OF mcon.
venience, and On additional article was signed on the
sa q s e st On the d
Geographic dispatches from Mr.. Thornton, inform
Ing HIM Of 1.-THE very important notifications which
because the convention was not In accordance with
Mr. keverdy J0nnsOn's Instructions, and that he was
Stanley wrote to Mr. Thornton on the 18th december,
expressing his surprise at the intelligence during
the progress Of the negotiations Mr. keverdy john
son ut no time 1ntmated to him that he was not act
ing under sufficient instructions from his govern
msnt
Al length, on the 14th OF January, 1862 another
Claims Convention was signed by Lord Clarendon,
the Ministry having changed in the interva-speci-
iyiHg tue Arrangement respecting arbitration.
clause with reference to 1t, considered very imp0r
tant 0y Lord Clarendon, left out at the request
Of the United States government.
No impartial reader, In gancing over the fore
going brief summary Of the Negotiations fail to
observe that The British government has been very
ran s sa sS ncs
ut Liverpool, when the English nag was lowered to
salute MT Reverdy Johnson, .'as the highest com.
pliment that can De paid to an American cittzen.n
His acts were soon after disavowed and himself
recalled.
OF showing that rather than involve this country
disastrous war the British government yielded
many points and bore many things which, were 1t
not for the underly ing dread OF war and Its cOnse
quences to commerce. she would not have accepted.
AT the present time England has to guard her Indian
In the event OF war with America our India trade
would be, as II WERE at the mercy OF the Americana,
for 1t would be impossible for ENGLAND eaecsuaiy to
guard SO wide an area. Americas geographical
position is favorable for aggressive acts upon our
Indian traders. This l admit is one side
land could innlct even greater injury on
America, but this would not restore the
safety OF our carrying trade SO long as war lasted.
1t ID not that the American governments desires
war, but we have seen from the attempted negotla-
tons how ditficut 1t IS for the Senate TO counter
to what is called public opinion, and that not justly,
seeing that the dislike toward England proceeds not
from the Intelligent American, but may be said to
have lib source with persons who can as little appre.
ciate Engishtnen as they can their own conntrymen
above them IN social position. Hence the feeling Of
dislike may be traced to an element underlying
american society, and yet sufficiently pow oriui to
representatives abroad. Urged on b. this turbulent
community, the Alabama question may at any time
be again forced upon the Senate, so soon as FAVOR
able opportunity for its Introduction to our notice
should present itself.
But 1t may be worthy Of remark that the chances
for such an opportunity are considerably lessened
by one clrcumstance-the opening OF the Suez Canal
on the 18th u November next From that time
forth our Indian traders will cease to be exposed to
an unprotected seabOard OF 10, 900 miles round The
Cape. but, rounding the Straits OF Gibraltar, they
would enter the Mediterranean and consequently be
safe from molestation: The policy which opposed
more than ever appreciated In this instance; and,
with Malta, Alden and Perrin to protect her, Eng
Indian POSSESSIONS 1t follows that after tue open.
Ing OF the Suez Canal England will have nothing
to fear from Americas geographical position IN
positions become completely reversed and the
tables turned; for whereas America will be able to
do England's commerce comparatively little harm
IN case OF war, England Will have the power TO in
nict injury on America without risking any inter-
ference with her Indian trade.
How far this circumstance may modify the pre-
tensions advanced by portion OF the American
people with respect to the Alabama claims 1t Is I'M
possible to predict. 1t may possibly strengthen thu
hands or the American Senate IN dealing with the
war-cry party and as such be viewed by that body
with favor III their endeavors to arrive at
able adjustment OF the question. Meanwhile Eng
land may experience cause Tor c0ngrd uiatton In the
fact that the negotiations nave maze little no
progress, and that she stands unpcdged to any 70.
c0gnltiOn as to The rights OF the Alabama claims.
have the honor to be, sir, your very obedenl SER
want, DANIEL A. LANCE.
LONDON, Sept. 2s 1862