The New York herald., 1870-04-08
ENGLAND ANXIOUS FOR A SETTLEMENT.
Lively Breeze i'm Diplomatic
Circles.
New Postal Convention with the North
German Confederation.
Georgia to Stay Out in the Cold
for the Present.
THE INCOME TAX RETAINED.

WASHINGTON, April I, 1870
Tho Alabama Ciaims-England Anxious for .
settlemeut-The American Position.
There seems to be little doubt that Great Britain
d beginning to realize that the sooner the difference
with cur government growing out Of what has
come to be called "the Alabama claims" is settled,
the better Will 1t be for the United Kingdom--tne
loss will be the chance Of rupture spripging up
between the mother country and her much rufled
offspring Everything that has occurred since
Gnt's accession TO power in the way Of diplor ATTIC
discussion OF the subject shows o very great
anxiety on the part OF her Majestys government to
have an understanding about the causes Of differ.
ence and to satisfactorily and peacefully adjust
things Even Summers speech, which it was feared
would have the eject OF firing the British heart
against as, seems to have operated entirely In
another direction. At first 1t really dd
sur up the lion, but after roaring not
~ all savagely for few months the
animal has supsided into the gentlest state Of
Quiescsnce. Clarendon, In all his talks with Mot.
ley and In his notes to Thornton idsplays decided
hankering after settlement. He manirests desire
to have negotiations reopened, and to heve the
claims disposed Of finally in some way or other
which would not DO dlshonorabe to either Of the
great Powers. But Clarendon does not like to
make the first positive move. He is apparently
unwilling to throw out the first suggestion,
or to hint the probable basis that would
be acceptable. He thinks we, being the com.
plainants, should make the advance movement by
telling plainly what we want, ana thus AFFORD an
opportunity for "yes' OF 'no.n But that is pre-.
cIscly the thing which Premier Fish does not
intend to do, and the sooner my Lord Clarendon
understands that fact the better Secretary
Fish fees that we have nothing to lose BY
delay, while Great Britain has Our government
considers that our cause OF grievance is rather
pretty well understood by Great Britain by this time
and that there is no lack OF information on tile
other side Of tho Atlantic as to what knd OF settle
mens will be agreeable. What might be huIniiat.
nR for Great Britain to grant our solemn request
OF demand might be in no measure go If conceded
Voluntarily. Thus. were we TO say to Great Britain
"You have wronged u.s. and must both apologize
anu give us your North American possessionsn the
British government might well consider it dis
honor to comply. But, without any such formal
declaration and demand, England might very
her course during our rebellion, and offer to come
90 an agreement to define for the future the rights
OF neutrals in such o manner as to prevent
complications from arising hereafter in case
either the United States or Great Britain should be-
come involved In war with q third Power. AT the
came time, 'as mark of her friendly dispositlon,n
che might tender US ner North American posses
stons to become part OF the American Union, pro.
viding the inhabitants Of those possessions should
elect TO change their allegiance. This would be
simple easy. honorable and friendly style OF fixing
up matters, and IN all probability, viii have to be
adopted by Great Britain In the end IL seems to be
Gxed that our government will not initiate nesota-
tons. Mr.. Fish intends to adhere to the views ex-
tcmber 25, when he wrote:-
Although the United States are anxious for set.
tlcnent on liberal and comprehensive basis of all
che questions which Row interfere with the entirely
cordial relations which they desire to exist between
the two governments, they do not now propose or
desire to set any time for this settlement. on the
contrary. they prefer to leave that question and also
the more important question of the means and
method Of removing the causes OF complaint Of re-
storing the much desired relations OF perfect cor
dallty aud the preventing Of the probability OF like
questions In the future to the consideration OF her
Majesty's government. They Will, however, be
ready, whenever her MaJesty's government shall
think the proper time has come for renewed nego-
iiation, to entertain any proposition which that
government shall think proper TO present, and to
Apply tOsuch propositions their earnest and sincere
wishes and endeavors for q solution honorable and
satisfactory to both countries
Clarendon pretty well comprehends the position
aaken by Mr.. Fish, and from recent advices II seems
o0t at oil improbable that he VIII before long offer
some basis OF settlement He has displayed rather
. disposition to be 'srlcxy"-if we may use such an
expression in application to dgnitary OF his lord.
ahip's rank-haylng tried In various Official and
7noiuclal ways, to trip Mr.. Fish into some false
position. Thus. by his unofficial reply to Mr. Fshs
sotc OF September 25. he undoubtedly expected to
provoke Secretary Of state to make an extended
answer. which might commit our government
In some embarrassing manner. But Mr. Fish was
TOO sharp to be caught in that way. When copy
of the unofficial note was supplied him by Mr..
Thornton Mr. Fish Immediately inquired whether
she note was intended to be Official or not. Only
within few days has Lord Clarendon replied and
In such an ambiguous way that 1t Is dtlcult to mako
out even still what was hia fntention put ali
through this last note there is said 10 lurk dspos
kon to reopen the negotiations, and erect, IL posi-
pN, friendly settlement Premier Fish is giving
ne matter his most serious attention. and It is said
hat the subject will be LAID before the Cabinet to.
morrow.
Lively Breeze Among Diplomntists-A FORGED
Letter and the Russian Minister.
There ia newttle breeze fn diplomatic circles here
Y. Caacazy, tile Russian Mnis$er, is sort Of vic.