The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-27
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

THE only intelligent reason that has been
announced for the recall of Mr.. Motley from
the Court of st. James is that he is not in
harmony with the administration, and that he
is disposed to conduct the negotiations
on the subject of the Alabama claims ac-
cording to the sentimental and impracticable
ideas of Senator Sumner rather than upon
those of President Grant and his Cabinet.
Be this as it may, Mr. Motleys mission has
apparently done nothing whatever towards
bringing about settlement, and it is to be
hoped that his successor will be instructed to
keep the question before the British Govern
ment in such manner that
it will understand distinctly that
we have not forgotten it, and, moreover, that
we are determined to insist upon complete
and ample satisfaction for the injuries we
have sustained through British treachery and
bad faith. Under all the circumstances of
the case, the United States would be fully
justified in taking advantage of any domestic
or foreign troubles in which the British Gov
ernment might be involved to bring forwards
the Alabama claim in a manner that would
compel attention to them from fear, if from
no other motive. But it would be much
more creditable to both parties if the diff
Guilty could be arranged amicably and without
even insinuations that other means than
diplomacy might be resorted to to compel
settlement.
The present is apparently as favorable
time to reopen the negotiations on this sub
ject as any that is likely to occur. England
is in very bad odor with both France and
Prussia on account of her peculiar tactics as
a neutral, and the tremendous display of
power made by Prussia, coupled with the
sneering declaration of Bismarck that he
should decline to accept the opinions of the
law officers of the crown as conclusive on
questions of international law and the duties
of neutrals, has compelled the British Gov
ernment to make change in its laws, so as
to place a real check upon the business of
building and sending out piratical cruisers
a thing it refused to do in our case. This is
only one of many indications that England
finds her position particularly uncomfort-
able one, and with Prussia and France both
incensed against her, it would be
at least polite to get the controversy
with the United States off her hands as soon
as possible. The English Government and
public opinion on the subject of the
Alabama claims has not changed in
the least in this country, and if Mr..
Morton on his arrival in London presses
the subject with sufficient force, the proba-
bilities are that an agreement can be arrived
at to transfer the negotiations to Washington,
with the understanding that England is pre-
pared to yield what is necessary to wind up
the whole affair in a manner satisfactory to
all parties.
In addition to the Alabama claims we have
another controversy with England that ought
no longer to be allowed to exist as source of
irritation. We allude to the San Juan
question. The joint occupation of this island
by the American and British forces is pecu-
liar situation that ought to be brought to an
end at as early day as possible, and with the
progress of the Northern Pacific Railroad to-
wards completion, it is of the utmost import
ance that we should know exactly what our
territorial possessions in the neighborhood of
Puget Sound really are. The Eng
lish in reality have no claim
whatever to this island, and the time is past
when we can submit to any such compromise
as that which was made in 1912 with regard
TO the Northwest boundary. 1t is to be hoped,
therefore, that Mr. Morton will receive such
instructions as will indicate the adoption of a
decided policy by the President on these
points, and that the necessary negotiations
will be pressed with vigor on our part that
will leave no doubt in the minds of the
English statesmen who have the management
of affairs of our intention to obtain, without
abatement, all we think we are entitled to.
FRENCH ENTHUSIASM
MADAME DE STAEL's work upon Germany,