The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-08
THE ALABAMA TREATY.
what the London Papers Say of ITS
Rejection.


The London Times speaks thus
we have said enough to Justify the assertion
that our position would be improved by the
rejection OF the Alabama convention. We
believe the prospect OF establishing q perma-
nent good feeling between the two countries
VIII not be endangered by the failure of this
treaty. Any one who will take the trouble to
follow out in thought the way in which the
convention would be worked III accepted will
soon see that the practical conduct of 1t is
bristltng with dangers. A failure of the con-
vention would intensity any i'll feeling now
bound us to recognize a liability to the
United states Tor issuing proclamation
discovery that the United States would
be stopped from denying the existence Of
issued would irritate them. IL seems certain
that one, it seems probable that both, these
conditions are bound up in the Alabama con"
ventton. 1t is, in fact, an unintentionally de-
lusive document and our Governme ent proba-
bly, had little faith in 1t, If we may judge from
the language OF the royal speech. But IL will at
least warn future diplomalisIs of the things to
be avoided In arranging any new convention.
treaty OF arbitration will be negotiated, and we
may be satisfied that 1t will be clear and def
nite in Its articles, prescribing exactly the
points upon which decision is sought, and
containing within itself q method of procedure
capable OF being carried TO a successful ISSUE"
The London Star comments as follOws:-
I'VE have never concealed our opinion of the
responsibility which our Government under
SsVe s and to sseter in
colonial ports during the war. We ought to
have chased the pirate from the ocean and
tried the commander at the Old Bailey for his
life The burning of peaceful merchantmen on
the hign seas by mock hero, VINO stole his
ship and had a crew CO imposed OF the sweep.
tngs OF Liverpool, was an abhorrent spectacle,
against which we never ceased to protest; and
we rejoice to know, from Captain Semmes'
boob, III at the articles in this journal, when
read by the crew of the Alabama. compelled
some OF them to reflect that they were not en-.
gagged in a very credtable service. But what
more can be done tnan to submit the whole
question to arbitration, in order to have
our responsibility determined by interna-
tional law ? England cannot do more than
this, and II the Americans, or any portion of
them. lima gine that because we have done what
is right we may be compelled to do what is
humtliating they profoundly mistake our
national character. We are strong enough and
great enough not to be afraid of acknowledg-
Ing or of submitting our conduct TO the impair
tial verdict of arbitrators skilled in interna-
tional usages; but neither our strength nor our
greatness requires us TO do penance. either by
kissing The floor or meekly acknowledging our
errors by wearing a"dusler on our head" be
fore the world. The mistake in policy of which
we were guilty was one into which we were
betrayed by many circumstances which are not
yet fully known. There was both treachery
and ignorance at work. and a want of moral
courage where we might have looked for some.
thing better. But the thing is over and gone"