The New York herald., 1869-03-10
The AIabama Claims-L0rd Ciarcndon's
Propositions.

- e~8@a Ok8A@D-AOh&
Propesitions.
Lord Clarendon, it is said, is desirous OF
renewing the protocol on the Alabama claims
lately passed between his predecessor, Lord
Stanley, and Mr.. Reverdy Johnson 1t Is
added that some Of the new points which he
proposes as basis Of negotiation are the fol-
lowing FL. Had the government sufficient
authority according to the Law, such as 1t
exists, to oppose legally the departure OF the
Alabama? Does not the Alexandra case, such
as it has been adjudicated, render the thing
very questionable? This question will be sub
mitted to q committee Of legists appointed to
pronounce upon 1t alone. 2. In the supposi-
ton that the government is to be held respon-
sible for the escape Of that vessel is it equally
responsible for the depredations Of the Ala
bana? 3. II this be decided in the afdrma-
tive, the next question win be to agree upon
figure giving fair estimate Of those depreda-
ions, after which the British government
will introduce counter claims, which viii have
to be fixed in the same manner-that is, by
the Intervention Of umpires. The validity Of
each claim win have to be determined by the
joint vote Of two sets of arbitrators, one Of
which will be appointed by the United States
and the other by England.
Such, In substance, are the propositions of
Lord Clarendon. They indicate, at least that
the British government is slowly awaking to .
sense Of the fact that questions to which Lord
Russell scarcely condescended to listen when
urged upon his attention by Mr.. Adams must
at length be taken into serious consideration
and definitely decided upon. It will not much
longer be possible for England to deny the
charge Of the American people that during our
late war she was guilty Of violating her
duty as neutral power. The anony-
nous author of pamphlet just pub
lished and entitled ''The Johnson Pro-
tocol" thus strongly and truly puts
the case against England :-''She cavilled
about her duty and did it not. The conse-
quences were such that the memory of them
will not die. On the Atlantic, around the
Antilles, on the Southern and Indian oceans,
on the Pacific seas, the heavens glared with
the burning of our unarmed, predestinated
ships, till they plunged their naked and charred
forms down to their deep and everlasting rest.
God forgive the crimes of men and Cabinets !
But the actual destruction of ships was q
minor item Of our loss. Our whole commerce
discovered destruction In its own flag and fed
for life to the holds of the ships of England
and some other nations. The earth never
saw it's waters swept SO suddenly of 80 great
national commerce."
In view of this ell-grounded charge against
England, and, moreover, of the vital princi-
pie, infinitely more important than any bill for
damages involved in the Alabama claims, as
well as Of the recent action of the United
States Senate, which, bringing Kearsarge
broadside round to bear on the Alabama pro-
tocol, sunk it at the first fire, without the
slightest compassion for Mr.. Reverdy johnson,
that darling old pet of Baltimore society,
who, ever since his arrival in England, has
been dined and wined until he must be sadly
confused in trying to remember for what pur-
pose he was sent to the Court Of St. James
in view Of all this we must suggest to Lord
Clarendon that 1t is hardly worth while to
bother himself about fresh negotiations until
he shall have heard-as he will hear ere
long-what the administration of President
Grant determines upon as the best mode Of
settling the questions involved in the Alabama
claims. The American people can well afford
to wait for that just and final settlement Of the
whole matter which must come sooner or
later.