New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-01
FOREIGN NEWS.
GREAT BRITAIN.

Alabama Claims but do not publish the text -.<sss
The Star, Mr. Bright's organ, says the claims made
by Mr. Sumner, so new, startling, and vaguely en-
or1nous withal, were not to be expected. Ii they
shadow forth the instructions given to Mr.. Motley,
that gentleman comes in very different guise
from the genial dner-out, who is about
to bid us adieu. 1t deplores the rejec-
ton of the early overtures for o settlement
made by Mr.. Adams President Grant is not the
genial, wholesouled lover of peace that Lincoln was
He has the intense determination of Western man,
without the natural genius which served Lincoln IN
the place of reading and experience of the world
Grant has the training of neither lawyer nor poll
tcian WHILE at the time, he isntensely Ameri-
can. The whole world knows the resoluteness OF his
character After defending England from the charge
of general sympathy for the Confederate cause Inc
Star cOnfesses that the escape of the Alabama
was deplorable and disgTaceful, forming the worst
precedent England could establish but expresses
amazement at the character of Mr. Summers de-
mands If Mr.. Motleys instructions are similar in
spirit, his mission will be fruitless. The extraya-
gance of these propositions will strike every one
who knows how anxious the British people are to
deal fairly and justly If her concessions are merely
used as standpoints for further unheard Of demands
England must carefully consider her position lest
she establish worse precedent than the burning OF
ships at sea by admitting the discussion of demands
which are utterly untenable, and ought to be re-
sisted.
The Times designates the estimate of damages made
by Mr.. Sumner pOrtentous. 1t already reaches
four hundred and twenty-five millions sterling, ana
may in the future be made to embrace the possible
earnings of all the soldiers withdrawn from produc
tive labor during the war of the Rebellion. The
speech is worthy of Mr.. Summers ability, and de-
serves impartial consideration. He wants some
nm
contrition and public humiliation Assuming that
England has cruelly wronged America, no good oD-
ject would be served by expressions OF regret ana
penitence in treaty. Treaties OF peace dictated by
conGuerors at the head of armies are unincumbered
with such expressions. To require an &c
Acknowledgement of moral liability beforehand,
would be to PREJUDICE the controversy, and
stultify the proposed settlement. In the
event of a decision by arbitration declaring
England not liable, would the apology be taken
backi The view taken by Mr. Sumner is feminine
unreasonable, and unstatesmanlike. The 1imo ar
CUES that the bellgerency of the Confederates was
simple fact not dependent on the declaration OF
blockade Had there been no blockade, the case
would not have been altered in an appreciate de-
gree The prevailing tone of the speech is one OF
passionate remonsrance and menace. III DetTays
one-sided partsanshp lamentable IN the representa-
tive of a great country. Mr.. Sumner makes no
complaint of France. although the Emperor was
DESTROYS of recognizing the independence OF the Con
federacy. The Tim6s argues that although according
to Mr.. Sumner England was the only foreign power
in the world mplacably hostile to America, II Is not
too much to say that at moment the fate OF the
American Union depended on the voice Of England,
whose sword thrown into the scale would have de-
cded the contest and shows the unfairness, border
ing Oh infatuaton, which leaves this consider
alton out of account II is the common
practice Of American journalists and politicians
10 Willy England The protective tariff system 10
strong in the United States only because II works
injury 10 Great Britain. Let atonement be made for
the insulting language Of individuals, whether in
England or America, by the retrospective verdict OF
public opinion and the cultivation OF mutual respect
in our private relations. Nations as such only deal
with covert acts which only possible subjects OF
pecuniary compensation.
The Standard Tory organ, says the American Senate
has done more than reject the treaty il gives 10 the
world its reasons in Mr. Summers speech. which has
been Endorsed by the body which IL supreme IN all
questions of foreign diplomacy. We now know what
Mr. Motley will have TO aim at Efforts to arrange
treaty on the former facts VIII be wasted In some
respects good may ensue from the candor displayed
by the Senate. Formerly there was danger that
England might 60 than regard for the national
honor and dignity would allow. Now, when the de-
mand has reached its present proportions, we feel
that even the Bright Cabinet is safe from the chance
of n disgraceful cqpitulation. The claims now put
forth can hardly be described in serious language
and not excite indignation. Wemght as well argue
against a proposal that American troops hold the
Tower Of London as material guarantee. or that the
Prince of Wales proceed 70 Washington and sur
render himself into the hands Of the Federal au-
thorities as O hostage for our good behavior. The
future policy of England is no longer an open
question America has formally recorded her resold-
tom that there shall be no settlement Of the Alabama
claims short of Englands surrender at discretion to
submit to any punishment the Senate, in its SUI
premacy over the world. may choose to inlet In
other words she has decided that the Ala
bama question is not to be settled, whatever
NAV ensue. The interval is long at the
present day between national hatred and lombard
ment 1t is useless to ignore and dangerous to for
get that the feeling in America is one of intense aud
unmitigatedh aired. War with England would be
national luxury, but expensive. England has adj
mitted that such war would be not only expensive
but deplorable. Under the circumstances it
is more than probable that the American
will select and keep the Alabama quarrel in reserve
and await an opportunity for revenge more cheap
than war. War. not agreeable solution, though
involving danger rather than dishonOr, may better
any settlement the present British administration
might have made, if the attitude of the American
Senate had been less ridiculous The speech creates
intense feeling in political circles.
Alta Cabinet meeting held yesterday the subject
of the speech was informally discussed Mr.. Bright
declared that this embarrassment served England
right but he agreed that he would not consent TO
entertain the terms foreshadOwed in Mr.. Summers
speech Lord Clarendon expressed his belief that the
actual negotiations Oh the part Of the American Gov
n - ,~I.n,, ,.,o A.