The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-31
GENERAL SCHENCK.
His Views I'm Relation to His
Mission.
The Alabama Claims and the Fishsries-The Com
Money Alone VIII Not Suffice : Tho
London Confcrence-Can VIII
Lapse Into the Union.

the late civil war, aud though 1--WE years have
elapsed since, they still remain unsettled. Many
OF course, charge thisand not without show OF rea.
soR-upon the lndecision and the hesilating course
pursued by Reverdy Johnson and Motley AZ
length man has been chosen who has decided yiewa
upon the questions involved. and the eyes OF the
American people are turned upon him, more than
upon any other man-not excepting the President OF
the United States II rs natural therefore, that the
appointment OF General Schenk AZ Minister Plenip
tertiary TO the Court OF ST. James should be the
present time the theme Of almost universal comment
in Official well private circles. and that what
ever he may have TO say upon the subject OF his all
important mission Is matter IN which the Amcri-
can public are deeply interested.
In order TO obtain at 1rst hand definite informa-
ton as to the opinions Of the new Minister to
England and to ascertain the line q conduct he
intends TO pursue touching the
DIFFICULT AND DELICATE QUESTIONS
OF diplomacy entrusted to his negotiation, HERALD
reporter called at the Brevoort House and vas ush
cred into the parlor OF the hotel. Hee he
found Mr.. Moses n. Grlnnell, the Naval tulcer
OF the Port OF New York, VINO was ,lso
wait ng 10 see the new Minister Plenlpotentary. A
conversation then ensued between "the good on
mani and the HERALD reporter which was inter
The General Is ABOUT hfty years OF age, to Judge
by his face and grizzled beard He has solaierly
face IL expressive OF frmness and DluH honesty,
and he has the air or a hlgh-toned gentle
man. Az hist approach ne Is reserved and requires
delicate handling, but the ice Of conventlonaiity
once broken he is free and open IN his remarks.
After conversing for few minutes with Mr.. Grim
NELL the General turned to the HERALD reporter and
the following conversation took place:- F
kEPoRTER-Tne English MISSION General, has
been so much talked about and the American people
so deeply interested IN the settlement OF our
claims that they would be very much pleased II you
would give q few scraps OF information upon this
subject.
General scnENcK-l am afraid shall not be able
to saIlsfy you. have mad great number OF invita-
lions to public dinners, but ! Invariably declined
them, as l know l should be expected to make
speeches. ana In answering toasts would led into
REMARKS WHICH MIGHT BE MlSCONSTRUED
or misrepresented, and want to fight SHY OF any.
thing like declaration OF my opinions 1t would be
for me 10 ns ,n wa %on
success Of my missions II y Impossible for me to
say anything now, and shall not have moments
morrow morning. Here the General joined three
gentlemen, with whom he entered a carriage which
had been In waiting, aud drove on.
According to mis- appointment the HERALD repor-
ter called yesterday on General SchencK, and was
promptly admitred into his presence After the ex.
change OF few remarks he again stated the object
OF ms visit, and the following conversation en-
sned:-
from Washington, GENERALLY
General SCHENCK yet.
REPORTER-Wlll o distinct line OF conduct be
pointed out to you by the government are you to
act independently?
General soHENcK-I shall certainly have my in.
s!ructions, but l think think there WILL be q fair
margin lett TO my own discretion.
REPoRTER-I suppose the proposal and the terms
for the adjustment VI our claims will emanae from
this governmentf
General SCHENcK-I do not think so; both gov.
ernments Will meet one another haif way and try to
agree upon
BASIS OF SETTLEMENT.
REPoRTER-Wnat are your views, General, about
General ScHENCK-My Impression Is that the gov.
eminent OF Great Britain ID not hall SO difficult to
deal with in relation to the fisheries as
the Canadians themselves. l have reason to
believe that the conduct OF the latter Is not stmu-
lated by instructions from the mother country, but,
on the contrary, causes much concern to Great Br1
tain herself. or course the English government will
not entirely disavow and rebuke the unfr1endly
manifestations OF the Provinces towards the people
Of tnis country, but my opinion ia that England
feels
ANNOYED AT THE CONDUCT OF THE CANADIANS
and Will probably send out a delegate to the gov
eminent OF the Dominion, with instructions to put
curb on their arrogance and to bring them to
United States. Without regard to the merits Of the
case, must say that their behavior has been chur
that II England could without sacrifice OF her ira
ditisnal pride, give up her. colonies in Ame-
saS would would mSs S wnsg az IT,
| the mother country and declare herself an inde-
pendent state the British government would raise
that the Canadians stick too closely and prefer to
be an English province. English interests lie In the
East, and her possessions In that quarter are the
means BY which she can check the ambitious designs
Of other Powers and It Is my opinion that, IN the
natural course Of events, Canada will
LAPSE INTO OUR UNION.
REPORTER-Wll the settlement Of the Alabama
claims merely be q matter Of dollars and centsf
General SCHENcK-Certainly not; we shall require
something more.
REPORTER presume our government will claim
some other compensatons, such as the opening Of
tie st. Lawrence and the same rights for American
fishermen as for Canadians.
General scHENcK-I cannot exactly tell in what
forms our claims will be presented and what terms
they will embrace; but money alone Will not suffice
as compensation due rs Tor the damages sustained
war. ! do not mean to fall into
THE ERROR OF REvERDY JOHNSON;
we have had enough OF feasting and roasting; we
shall certainly try to get all we can.
REPoErER-Do you think, General. that the
the wrong with regard to the present quarrel about
the fsheriesS
General scHENck-I cannot make any such
sweeping assertion. have not yet given the mat.
ter all the attention 1t requires. am now engaged
In the study Of these Controversies. and cannot,
therefore, present distinct view on the subject.
or course there is always grain OF tight on both
sides neither Rart yo can be entirely IN the wrong
visions Of the treaty on the isheres' '''' 'A~ Wv
General era scHEScx-we shall certainly try to re-
''o' ANTIQUITIES OF THE rRuet
IN order to avoid collisions IN the ,rse. All can
say Is, that the fisheries question ytul be drawn
shall try to obtain he o all these ques
tons, now and forever.
KkpORTKR-Is II the intention o. our government
to take advantage OF England,3 difficulties in the
East In order to press our clamp
General scHENck-I do not relieve in that super.
latlve nlagnanimity which would forbid Us TO take
advantage Of existing circumstances. England Is
anxious 10 settle on account or her difficulties, and
NOW Is OUR TINE
to obtain the best terms. think 1t was i-advised
on the part OF Mr. Forney to assert In his paper I'M
der the authority Of the President that we should
not take advantage or the present state Of alrs In
Europe In order to press the adjustment OF our
claims The President never expressed such views
laid down during our war dangerous precedent as
to the rights OF beligerens. which might turn upon
her II she should get Into war, and she naturally
anxious to settle with the United states.
WITHOUT BULLYING OR THREATENING
we wish to let England know thst the time has ar
rived for the adjustment OF our outstanding claims
aud that we mean to walt no Longer. OF course the
negotiations will be conducted h the most friendly
spirit on our part.
REPoRTBR-Are these controversies ut all likely
to lead to q war between this country and Englandf
General SCHENoK-I hope not such o war would
be fraught with fearful calamles to both countries