The New York herald., 1869-05-11
ENGLAND.

The Alabama Claims-The J0hnson.Staniey
Trcaty-SenatOr Summers Great Speech
What Is Thought of It-Iiow Criticised-No
French Alliance for England-Rumored
Recall of the Prince of Wales.
LONDON, April 2s, 1s69
The great speech Of Senator Sumner in the United
States Senate on the Alabama treaty reached this
city yesterday but has not made its appearance this
morning in any OF the London daily journals, al.
though one OF them has an editorial leader On the
subject OF the controversy between the two govern
ments, which is evidently inspired by that able and
conclusive argument, An English newspaper Is no
toriously slow coach IL has neither the enter
prise boldness nor originality Of first class Amer
Journal and instead Of giving birth ideas ad
vancing opinions when impor tant question arises
it Is contented TO await the indications Of public
sentiment and to follow IN Its wake In the eleventh
hour. The Alabama treaty h as, however peen 30
thoroughly discussed that it might fairly be sup
posed there need be hesa ton replying to SEN
ator Summers arguments If 1t were possible to meet
and refute them; hence the failure OF the Times
to allude, even to the Sumner sp eech, while making
feeble attempt TO break its force indicates clearly
the untenablity OF the English side OF the contro-
versy.
The truth is that the words Of the chairman OF the
Committee OF the American Senate on Foreign Rela-
tons convey the ears OF Engshmen the first ring
listened for some time past The whole subject OF
the action OF England towards the American gov
been befogged since the restoration OF
peace, through the stupidity OF Mr. Johnsons
administration ana the singular diplomacy OF Mr.
seward until the true issue between the two coun
tries has been entirely lost sight OF and grave In
ternationa question, affecting the rights OF the
whole civilized world, has been suffered TO degene-
rate into mere squabble over individual claims.
The treaty which has just been so emphaucaly re-
1ected 10y the American Senate took higher
ground than this and had 1t been successful in nd:
ing favor IN America 1t would have lett the real
points at issue still unsettled. Reverdy Johnson Is
by no means to blame for this inauspicous ending
OF his efforts at the Court OF ST. James since his in
good friends with England, and secondly TO secure
the best terms he could the claimants for dam
ages done by the Alabama and other Anpo-C Conf fede-
rate pirate vessels during the American rebellion.
No person can deny that the Minister has
succeeded In his mission as far az 1t went.
lie has Out-eaten ana out-orank British gourmands:
he has altogether distanced British orators In their
famous aiter-dinner speeches, and he has adroity
out-generalled the most expert British diplomats.
No person could have made a more advantageous
treaty than that secured by Reverdy Johnson from
the standpoint from which he was instructed TO
view the matters In dispute between the two govern.
ments. The real fault lay with Secretary seward,
who either wllfully or ignorantly ignored the great
a treaty by which individual American citizens
could secure the largest amount Of dollars and cents
I'm the shape OF damages out oil the Eng Lsh govern
Taxing their cue from the late administration at
Washington. the English statesmen and writers
have been glad TO place this limitation on the con.
trOversy, and have argued simply the respon-
slbility Of the British government to indi-
viduai sufferers, purposey ignoring the main
and only grave issue as TO Enrlands right
TO recognize belgerency OF the Southern rebels
and thus TO give vitality and strength 70 the rebel
non. The great speech OF senator Sumner dispels
the clouds that have thus far hung over the Ala.
bama question, and shows clearly two facts-that
the rejected treaty was insufficient, and that the
English government must be prepared henceforth 10
meet the subject In It's broader aspect and to justify
atone for the injury did to the American nation
well 70 private individuals by Its active SYM
patny with those who were endeavoring TO destroy
squarely, and the conviction is forcing itself upon
the English mind that as sumner speaks, so Grant
thinks, so the government at washington Will de-
termne and Mr.. Motley will be instructed TO act
The London Times this morning, indeed, comedies
that the discussion must henceforh take this shape
ana states that IL for her Majestys government TO
decide whether they will entertain at once reject
any question Of Enrands right|to recognize south
ern pelngerency. IL is remarkable that the Times
can iHlu no reply TO Senator summers criticism OF
tne treaty and 80 confines Itself to an assault on the
vniied otates senate for having rejected It. rhe nego-
uatIon was ~ says, the work OF Seward and the two
Johnsons Andy and Reverdy who were ali duiy an.
pointed representatives Of the United states Sew
ard himself FINALLY accepted the treaty saws the
Times, 'and In rejecting II 'the Americans 1isown
their own government and disalow its deliberate
and solemn actsJ QQpsequently "they are
pound to make It appear that their former
government was so mistaken or iucApAb,s tina, ;ne
terms 1t agreed upon were wholly ihsufncleht for
the purposes OF Justice" before they can demand
the reopening Of the discussion. The aacy Of this
reasoning at once apparent In the fact tnat the
senate 10 the treaty making power nothing could
nave been agreed upon or acceoted a. 0nai without