The New York herald., 1869-03-05
Views of the English Press Regarding the
Rejection of the Alabama Claims Treaty by
the United States.

Views of the English Press Regarding the
Rejection of the Alabama Claims Treaty by
the United states.
The London Post OF the goth ult. says
We have yet to learn the precise grounds on
which the American Senate refused to ratiry con-
venton entered into, with the approval of the gov
ernment, by their Minister at foreign court y =
1t has been said that many difficulties would have
oeset the operation OF the convention even II 1T
had been agreed to; but we think these mlsgivngs
were uniounded. Everything would have sunk into
lnsgnicance In presence OF the necessity OF making
final settlement OF all matters submitted TO arbi-
trauon. But looking to the concessions made by
ourselves, we cannot help thinking that it is just
we that we dld not set the precedent OF leaving
Others to say whether we acted well or badly In
exercising one OF the undoubted rights Of an inde-
pendent state. 1t might wen be SAID that having
gone thus far it would be impossible for us alter
wards to draw line excluding the intervention Of
other States in matters which concern ourselves.
The London Standard same date, thus regards the
natter
sons that convention so favorable to America
should have been rejected by the Americans that a
dif1culty brought 10 point which made a friendly
settlement OF all disputes possible and probable has
been rendered nugatory by the factious spirit the
unreasonable temper OF the Senate.
III tnfu be 0r AIte,icd and not for England to reopen
the negotiation. The rejection OF the proirered treaty
by the other party leaves unfetered by any past
offers concessions free to stand upon our rights as
far as we may think IT. and the attitude to be as
sumed by our government must depend in great
measure upon the tone which may be employed by
General Grant and his advisers in renewing the Dip
lomatlc discussion We hope we earnestly hope, that
they Will not oe influenced by any such notions
as have recently been promulgated by leading
republicans They may be assured that England
mas gone as Iar as she can IN Willingness to meet
their views, and that she win yield further The
idea that she would consent to draw distinc.
tion between her claims and the claims preferred
against her, and particularly distinction founded
on the offensive assertion that the acts or Southern
vessels purchased in British ports to be treated
rs 'piralicai,r and "British piracesn whil the
capture OF British ships within neutral waters, the
seizure OF cargoes on their way TO British colonies
and even the wanion murder OF British seaman on
board British vessel. TO be regarded as at the
most accidental errors committed IN perfect good
faith IS the most absurd deuson that ever entered
into the mind OF man Utterly ignorant alike or
national CHARACTER and OF public law.
The London Tines speaks thus -
We have said enough TO Justify the assertion that
our position would be improved by the rejection OF
the Alabama convention. We betiere the prospect
or establishing permanent good feeling 6etlceea
the ttco countries UtH not be endangered bp tle li.
,ron,.; 9 % m,s ss mean any one VINO VIII take the
the convention would be worked If accepted will
soon SEQ that the practical conduct OF it Is brstling
intensity any ifeeng now existing. discovery
that the convention bound us to recogaze lia-
bility 10 the United States for issuing prociama-
ton OF neutrality would irritate ourselves.
The discovery that the United States would
be ben stopped from denyng the existence Of
was issued would lrrltate them. 1t seems certain
that one, 1t seems probable that both these condi
~.
~ Is, IN fcc an untnteaiondzly delusire Document
aud our gorerRnnefn probably had lthIe 6tith h, a.
" zee may judge IRON, the language or Gte Toyal
speech But 1t win at least warn future diplomatists
OF the things to be avoided in arranging any new
convention IL VIII probably not be long before q
fresh treaty OF arbitration viii De negotiated, and
we may be satisfied that II viii be clear and definite
In It's articles, prescribing exactly the points upon
which o decision Is sought, and containing within
itself method ofprocedure capable OF being carried
TO a successful issue.
The London Star comments as folows:-
We have never concealed our opinion OF the re-
sponslbity which our government undertook by
permitting that III starred cruiser have LETT Liver
pool and TO take shelter In colonial ports during
the war; We ought 10 haze chased the pirate from
the ocean ana tried the commander at The Od bailey
Jor hstue. The burning Of peaceful merchantmen
on the hign seas Dy mock hero, who stole his snip
ana had crew composed OF the sweepings OF Iiv-
erpool, was an abhOTent spectacle, against which
we never ceased 70 protest. and we rejoice TO know,
Journal when read by the crew OF the Alabama,
compeIied some OF them to reflect that they were
not engaged IN very creditabe service.
But what more can be done than to sub
order TO have our responsibility determined by in
Ernational law. England cannot do more than
this ana II the Americans, or any portion OF them,
Imagine that because have done wnat Ia right we
may be compelled to 90 what Is Illuminating they
profoundly mistake our national character. We
are strong enough and great enough not 10 be
AFRAID u acknowledging error or OF submitting our
conuuct 10 Tue Impartial verdict OF arbltTators
skilled IN International usaves: but neither our
strength nor our greatness require us do penancc
elther Dy Kissing he floor or nleekly acknowledging
vur s sLrors " wearing "duster on our head'' be-
lore the word. The mistake IN policy or trhioh IRE
tOeIe guy DuS one INTO lrhtc tce 1re7e BETRAYED by
mtdttv circumstances lchfch are not ret run knD,rn
ansre LII was Do,n ueachery and ignorance at work
aup wdDt u moral courage where we might have
and gone. ''s - o's'