New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-23
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

Senate OF the 10Th inst, requesting tne fresiuonV W
communicate TO that body, If compatible with the public
interest, copies of any correspondence between the
United States and Great Britain concerning the questions
pending between the countries since the rejection OF
the Claims Convention by the Senate.
| MR.. FISH TO MR.. MOTLEY.
Extract
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, wAsHNGToS.}
notify Lord Clarendon that the Senate has refused Its
advice TO the ratification OF the convention
signed at London the 18th OF January last for the set
! Element OF all outstanding claims.
| Under some circumstances the announcement made
TO your predecessor OF the rejection OF this CONVENTION
might be sufficient but the magnitude OF the claims
involved, and tho gravity OF tne gTesuO Isou ire
more than the announcement to which the decacy
OF his own relations to the limited Sa'
convention abandon neither its own claims nor those OF
friendly settlement Of the questions depending between
the Governments. You VIII 40 say 70 LOrd CaIen
don or in your discretion you may further proceed 20
Communicate the views given below The terms Of the
convention having by accident become KNOWN 10 the
public in this country before the action upon 1t by the
Benate were dsapprOved the people with sn approach
TO unanimity that foreshadowed possibly even less
favorable vote the question OF ratification than was
| actually given. This adverse Judgment while unan
| nous, or nearly 80, 10 its conclusion was NOT
| nor from any one standpoint OF policy, nor
with any single standard Of estimate OF the claims either
nation its citizens, with the same degree
OF importance attached 10 various points that nave Deeh
discussed In the NJ Srongh
different and widely separate channels put neeng 10
|
and m hesenate- minds recelvng from differ,
standpOntseach measuring by us own standard anu
The time and circumstances under which the Convention
negotiated very unfayoraDe 10 ts acceptance
either by the people or by the Senate Inc naon mao
ust emerged from It's periodical choice OF CHIEF
Magistrate, and having changed the depository OF
| favor on an attempt at the settlement Of tho
great grave questions depending by those on the eve
OF retiring from power without consulting or considering
the views recently inrusted with their conn
denee, and without communication WIN tse senate, 20
mitted, with any OF its members IL IS wholly n1'
necessary to say statesmen Of the Intelligence whlch
always marks those of the British Empire that the re-
lection treaty by the Senate OF the Unlteu states m
Niles no OF dseoartey 10 the Government with which
The treaty may have been negotiated The United states
- i senate. and mat advice and consent De intei
gent must be discriminating and their refusal can be no
subject OF complaint. and can give no occasion Tor ais
satisfaction or criticism. ON the l2h Of May 1903,
| a convention between the United States and
| Great Britain for settling tho boundaries on
our North. Eastern and Northwestern frontier
was signed at London by Mr.. Rufus KING and Lord
HueskesDury, the part OF their respective E1ysln
ments aud submitted to the Senate by President Jeuer
son. with message Of the 2ith OF october IN hat year
The Senate approved Of the Convention. but upon the
condition that the 9th article should be eLPunseo con
dition which was complied with. Upon one point
tho President and the Senate and the overwhelming
mass OF the people are convinced namely: IhaI tne
Convention from its character and terms or RON the
time Of is negotiation. or from the atteh
ing It's negotiation would not nave removed o sehse Oh
existing grievance, would not have afforded real SUD
have proved a hearty, cordial settlement of
| the pending question, but would nave itIt
which the President desires to have hrmly estaDhshed
between great nations OF common origin common
language and objects In the Advancement OF the cylLa.
ton OF the age The Pesident DeheNes the 'Jecuon OF
Convention 10 have been In the interest or peace ana
the direction Of more perfect and cordial friendship
between the two countres and In this belief he fully
approved the action OF the Senate That action quite
popular discussion both sides OF the Atlantic and.
possibly, Of some little disappointment not OF lrrta-
ton i'm England. The tone Of the and the pro-
claimed opinions Of some public men In each country sng
gest the present not the most hopeful moment TO
arafe -pU
10 lately proposed Convention or OF the basis ola
new suspension OF the discussion on these
questions a short time Will allow the subsdence OF
any excitement growing out Of the negotiation or reec-
10 approach the more readily solution OF their DIFF
forences. But m communicating win LORD Clarendon
you will be particular him that the desire on
our part that suspension DO limited To the shortest
possible time consistent with It's oJect Inc PRESIDENT
hopes that her Majesys Government Will view the pro-
prIety of the suspension in the light in which he
proposes IT, wholly ia the interest and solely with
view early and friendly settlement OF the question
between the two Governments. lie hopes that when tho
question shall again be considered It may comport with
the views Of Her Maestys Government 10 embrace
within the scope OF the DegotatOh some agreement Dy
the two Governments defining ther Respective nghts
and duties as neutras IN case tue otne DO
came unfortunately involved ia war WIN mira rover
The absence OF some agreement OF ueuhlon on Dis SUI
ject among the causes leading 70 the REJECTION OF he
Convention under which. had IL been adopted ny
the two countries, Of the grave questions which
have arisen would have been passed upon by tribunal
whose decision, either party much less other nations
would regard authority 80 as TO prevent repetition or
retaliation. IL might indeed well have occurred In the
event Of the selection by lot OF the arbitrator or UMPIRE
principles that different awards resting upon shtagons
Tic principles might have been made IL however the
two great leading maritime commercial nations OF the
world establish rule TO govern themselves, each WIN
respect the other they may reasonably nope that Their
conclusion will be accepted by the other powers and w
become for the future recognized part of the public
law OF civilized world. The President recognizes tho
right OF every Power, when ciyl conflict mas arisen
within another state. and has attained sufficient com
plekity magnitude and completeness to define It's own
relations and those Of is citizens ana subjects Toward le
parties 10 tho conflict far their rights ana interest
are necessarily affected by the conflict. The necessity
and proprey OF the original concession OF Dfgerency
by Great Britain the time was made have been con
tested and not admitted. Ihey certainly are ques
part the only 20 far as II shows the beginning ana
dsastrosy 10 the United states. 1t Is important IN that
foreshadOws subsequent events There were other ma
lions that acted cotemporaneous with England in
making "A similar CONCESSIONS; but 10 IN England only
that the concession supplemented Dy hets causing
direct damage 20 the United skates.
The President lie careful to make this discrimination
because he anxious much as possible To simplify the
are so Important to determining the question between
the countries am. sir. your ooedIent servant;
To John Latbrop Motley. esq, &c. &c. DC.
DEPARIu'r or STATE. wksnISGros, d. C..June 49, 1909.
SIN: the President wishes that whenever negotiations
or discussions on the subject Of the Alabama Claims,
80 called shall Do renewed. they be- considered IN the
should convey tins wish TO Minister of Foreign Az
fairs IL Is impossible to say at present Wnen tna ls
the Brush Government shall propose discussion or
.slra Intimate desire TO reopen the negoiiatoa am
Sir yOur Obedient servant, hAmIh'oN r'oh'
10 John Lathrop Motley. esi'' Nc
MR. FISH Mr.. MOTLEY.
DEPARTMENT on STATE, !
WAsHNGTON, ID. C., sept l5 lb? }
SIR: When you left here upon your mission, me
nomon Was NOT thought be- the most hopeful To enter
tfpOn renewed discussion or negotiations WIN Tue Wv
eminent Of Great Bain the subject OF the clas Oh
mi. Government against that OF Her Majesty ana You
were instrted convey 10 Lord Clarendon the OPINION
or that suspension OF the dlscussoh lot
short peuOd might allow the snbsidence Of any ehce
me or Irritation growing Of events then recent hud
might enable the two Governments 10 approach more
readily 10 a solution OF their differences lou nave M
formed me that Lord Clarendon saw no objection 10 this
N fhaftl Dp