New-York tribune., 1869-05-28
FOREIGN NEWS.
GREAT BRITAIN.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.


LONDON, May 27.-The Alabama claims still forms
the great theme of conversation and newspaper COM
ment The Times to-day has an article on the COM
munications Of Sir Francis Head, which have
recently been published here respecting the case OF
the ship Caroline and the course of the Unlteu
States toward Canada during the Patriot war Inc
Times says that Senator Summers assertions OF En-
glands hostility to America is met by the testimony
of American officials Abuses much more flagrant
have occurred within the frontier of the Unted
States for the popular feeling of the State OF New
York was admitted to have more than countenanced
the Fenian expeditions to Canada The American
press expose Mr. Summers inconsistency by histor-
cal tests, and point out his perversion of facts
THE MEssRs. LAIRD's LETTER.
The Messrs Laird the builders of the Alabama,
have published in the morning papers n curious leu
ter in which they attempt to vindicate their own
character in the affair." They claim that the con-
struction of the Alabama at their yards was Tree
from concealment, and that the Government au-
thorites the public and the American Minister were
acquainted with the fact that she was built as
vessel of war; and it was notorious that she was
intended for the service of the Confederate Gov
ernment. They further claim that there was
no haste or secrecy observed in any OF
their operations and that had there been
anything illegal in the building fitting out of the
vessel there was ample time and opportunity for the
Government TO seize her. When the Customs author
tiles were notified on the 2lst Of July that she was
ready for sea- and might leave at any hour she
pleased, there was no attempt made to detan her'
although Passmore and others had made ailidavlts
that men had been enlisted to serve on board The
Messrs. Laird take ground that the contract for
building the Alabama was not at variance either
with the laws of England, or with the opinions of
Englishmen, or with the practice of foreign nations.
The Lairds quote from the written opinions OF Mel
lsh, Kemplay and Sir Hugh Cairns, delivered in
February 1863 in support Of their positions and de
clare that the Alabama left Birkenhead unarmed,
and that she went to the Azores where she received
men and arms which had been sent to her from other
parts Of England.
The Star radical organl, says the Messrs. Laird
may be gutless but that England cannot escape the
penalty is the verdict Of the best authorities, and is
a forcgone conclusion The Post Conservative, says
the yindication of the Messrs. Laird is complete.
The law was inadequate TO prevent the transaction.
The remedy lay with the Legislature and not with
the Executive. Tie Standard Conservative, says
that Messrs. Laird's vndication condemns the Gov
ernment. The inadequacy Of the law is an iusuiii-
cient excuse for a breach Of international obhga-
tions England's obligations were broken for the
North as well as the South. The Americans were
equally guilty of breach of international obiga-
tions in the case of the Caroline and in the case
of the Fenian drllings and organization. The final
reckoning will give heavy balance to the debit of
the United States. Tie Standard commenting upon
the letter, says the Mcssrs. Laird morally and
legally innocent but tits not clear that the Law Of
Nations hasnot been violated by other parties. or
that the Government is free Of the charge Of ncgi-
gence The Standard says that tho Confederate
agents sent the Alabama her armament in separate
lots but all 10 the common rendezvous that she left
England unarmcd, but was armed and manned from
her shores Whatever Englaud's oncnso may have
been il has been outdone hundred fold by
the Americans by their willful and wanton
oiienses against England, and any just settle
ment will leave a heavy balance against the United
States. The star thinks the letter Of the Messrs.
Laird tcuds TO aggayato the action OF the Govern,
ment Beside the general obligation to prevent all
risk issuing from the escape Of ship known to be
destined TO prey on American commerce, fuTther
Obligation is raised by the fact that the Ala
bama was built for guns and a war crew.
as reported by the customs officers for war purposes
This obviously deyolyed upon the Government the
duty of making the Enlistment act 90 far and there
is good reason to suspect that IL would have gone
far enough if a hearty effort had been made TO
stretch and honestly extend its purpose.
OFFICIAL PAPERS IN TIE ALABAMA CASE.
In the House of Commons this evening, hr.
Otway, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, IN reply
TO a question, stated that the papers in the case OF
the Alabama would shortly be laid upon the table.
GEORGE PEABODY.
George Peabody sails for New York on Saturday