The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-22
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
british Review OF the Position OF the A n,cri-
Cove lnment-The Case Held Over in
POlsfiral lerrorem.

can Cove lnment-The Case Held Over in
Political lerrorem.
From the London Tines Nov. 81
The letter OF our American correspondent, which
We published yesterday, points 10 new but not
surprising phase OF the Alabama discussions. The
cIams have been ,ofore treated simply "a n no.
litcai matter. the American government has held
itself TO be wronged by the British government and
has demanded compensation; but III all the negota-
tons has been PLAIN That the interests of the parties
really aggrleved-the private sufferers by the cruise
of the Alabama--have been su9ordinated to poIlti-
cal considerations. The American people, through
their pubic men and the press, have SAID frankly
that Try are hot dntrtous FOR settlement. They
would rather keep The question open. spoil good
quarrel when they have 1t, wait Tor the day when
they shall be able 10 recover not only the sums
alleged 10 be due but something which shall be
substantial compensation for the national wrong
they profess TO haze suffered and the cession
or VIII ch sbal be punishment TO England for her
unfriendliness during the war. This Is the spirit
when animates the speech Of General Benjamin r.
Butler, given by our correspondent. The General,
proQos OF the "irrcpressioe Goldfish Question:
took very bold ground against England, and, OF
course, contr.ved TO bring IN the Alabama. His
speech pOned to but one conclusion that IN the
settlement OF these and other difficulties the acauisi-
ton OF Cana 10 is involved.
III The meantime there are individuals who think
differently. These are the persons whose rights the
government at Washington processes TO maintain,
the actual sufferers by the escape OF the Alabama.
with them considerations OF private interest out
weigh the patriotic feeling which Is found elsewhere.
They think, naturally that as the claims are money
claims they should be treated SIMPLY as matter oil
business, the accounts sent In, properly examined
ana settled as quickly as possible, without reference
10 the injury received by American feelings the
possible future OF Canada They admit-and the
aamssion Il CT the greatest possible importance as
Justification OF England-that the obstacle Is not
raised on our side. England has protested herself
ready 10 submit the question OF her liability to
arbitration, and, If that shou.d be decided agansC
her. TO appoint mixed commission for the
purpose OF ascertalnng the sums due. Two
successive governments IN this country have
shown earnest desire for the settlement Of
the question: Lord STANLEY initiated the negotia-
ton which Lord Clarendon concluded, and the re-
lection OF the treaty was the work OF the dominant
party at Washington. We have no means OF Knowing
what were the sentiments Of the Individual claim
ants with respect to mat rejection. They may have
acquiesced in II from the idea that another negoa-
ton was speedily 70 he opened in which Eng
land would be still more conciliatory and
give them still better terms than the Cha
rendon-Johnson treaty. This expectation n 1t
was and ready 10 do justice, out not to submit to
unreasonable denanis, or renew on her own In
mastery answer OF Lord Clarendon to Mr. Fish ex-
posed the weakness and contradictions OF the new
case which tae Americans attempted TO make
against w. Tie British government has now re-
solved TO walt until lis opponents resume the sub
iect and If tue Americans desire 10 leave the matter
open, tnen open it must remain.
TINS prospect Is not agreeable to the individual
Claimants, ana we now find them turning upon their
government Tor not accepting tile Ciarendon-
johnson Treaty. The amount OF the claims IL over
$i3,0000J0, and TINS large sum, with accruing IN
terest, they begin 10 demand from the Washington
government. which has pursued they say, q "dog
In the mangerp policy. III IS very logically argued
by their advocate, Mr.. John A. Parker, that the
diyiouas, and that the interest OF the government
In them ~ enIirey oI hQGclary character with all
the responsibilities and liabilities Of such trust.
Has the government, then done its best TO obtain
payment OF the money No; II has acted dishonesty
In trust by treating the claims as they were It's
own property ana foregoing The exaction OF them for
Dol. tlca considerations. IL holds them In abey-
ance, Mr.. Parker says to accomplish objects OF
personal and political ambition and popularity
.'1ne acquisition OF Canada Is one OBJECT, known
and confessed 0ficers OF State and members oil
the Cabinet have said authoritatvely that n Canada
were Independent the Alabama claims could be
settled in twenty.four boursu Justice demands
that the government shonld do one OF two things
either renew the negotiation with England IN o
straightforward manner, eliminating all consldera-
tons that interfere with the interests or the cSi
ants, or else settle the claims itself and become the
creditor OF England. In the latter case it might,
ar course, take Its own time for again approaching
the subject. But the government Will not do
either OF these things. There remains third
courseto allow the claimants to negotiate directly,
and as Individuals, with England. THIS brings us
TO the most curious part OF Mr. Parkers letter. lie
says that the claimants, thinking that they had
waited long enough for the government determined
Res erdy Johnson ON the subject OF the disposition
or England with respect to these claims. His reply
was tiat lie had no doubt England would pay part
or these claims II properly represented and II the
American government did not nerere, En-
coufsged by this opinion the claimants requested
gentleman who was about TO come to Eurepe and
who was known 10 be acquainted with English
public men, TO sound the British government on the
subject This was done Indirectly and LORD Claren-
Lord Clarendon and at others at different times the