The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-05-29
BY TELEGRAPH,
EUROPE.
N a
ENGLAND.
The British Sentiment on American
Questions.
Opinion OF the Press on LaIrd's Letter
The Irish Church Question I'm Par
lament.

LONDON. May 81.
The letter OF Messrs. Laird claims
that the building of the Alabama WAS
done in the way OF business and free OF
concealment. II was known to the
Government and the public. and with
the knowledge of the American Minis
ter. The vessel was meant for war
purposes and intended for the use of
the Confederate Government. It was
notorious that no haste or secrecy were
observed in any of the operations. Had
there been anything illegal in building
or fitting out the ship, ample time and
opportunity existed for the Govern
ment to se.zs her. The officers OF the
Custom House were informed on the
25th of July that she was ready for sea
and might leave at any hour she pleas.
ed. No attempt was made to detain
her, though Passmore and others made
affidavits that they were enlisted to
serve on her. They take the ground
that the contract entered into for the
building OF the ship was not at vari-
ance with the laws of England.
AS to the opinion of the English peo-
pie or practice of foreign nations, they
quote written opinions of Mellish, O.
c., Mr.. Kempley and Sir Hugh Cairus
of February, 1868, which they allege
support their position, and go to show
that the Alabama left Birkenhead un-
armed and went to Azores, to which
men and arms had been sent from 9TH
er parts.
The Standard says OF Laird's letter,
that it is a clear charge Of negligence
against the government, but whatever
England's offence may have been, 1t Is
outdone one hundred fold by the will
full and wanton offences of the United
States against England, and any settle
ment will leave heavy balance against
the States. England's obligations were
broken to the North as well as the
South. The Americans were equally
guilty of breach of International OBJ
legations in the case of the Caroline.
and organizations.
The Star thinks Laird's letter aggra-
Yates the action of the British Govern
ment besides the general obligation OF
the Government to prevent all risk
from issuing forth of the Alabama.
The ship was known as destined to
prey on American commerce. Further
obligations are raised by the fact that
the Alabama was built and pierced for
guns, and to accommodate war crew.
These facts we're reported by British
custom house officers as also that
she was really intended for war
purposes. This knowledge obvi-
ously devolved upon the Govern
ment the duty of making the
foreign enlistment act go as far as
possible in the case. There is good
reason to suspect that the act would
have gone far enough II hasty effort
had been made to stretch it's provisions
honestly and extend Its purpose to the
case.
LONDON, May rs.
The Tories throughout the country
are organizing meetings to protest
against the dlsestablishmeut of the
Irish church.
In the House of Commons this even
ing, the Irish church bill being up. Mr..
Gladstone said there was no intention
of abolishing the system of national
education in Welland, but that amend
ments might be offered.
The Right Hon. Mr.. Monsell. in re-
ply to Mr.. Charles, said he thought
that any appropriation of q loan f9E
the Intercohonial railway, and tohpay the
debts'of Canada, you'd. not be. illsgal
considering the precautions taken to
render the sum available when needed.
The Cork Privy Council has adopted
apetition for the pardon OF Fenian
prisoners.
SPAIG.
Regular Troops for Cuba.