The New York herald., 1871-02-22
1ne following article rs from the London sranda,a


General schenck is, 1t may be supposed, now on
his way across the Atlantic, although he mas made
80 many false starts tnat his arrival must not be
are not wanIng that when he does arrive here he
viii proceed at once to reopen the question Of the
are two questions-wil England pay the little bill
tnat the United States Is going TO present, and,
e S to he e P p we eow = @ a pa
any reasonable compensation for any injury tina
can legally be laid at our door Is an indubitabl
TACT, Dut that we are not going to pay either
reasonable amount or anything at all except as
compensation ior direct injuries is equally certain.
Schenck Will urge his c0untrymen's claims In true
spirit OF conciahon. But the practical difficulty is
tnis-noW Is the amount or compensation winch
England is wiling TO pay to be ascertainedp The
unled states appear to be taking this matter into
tne, ,s own sl nands with vengeance The President
OF a commission to ascertain the amounts and
ownership Of individual claims in the matter, a
Representatives by republican member to
carry out the suggestion. According to the bill
three commissioners are TO be appointed to examine
claimants and witnesses on oath. All claims are to
be presented within six months from the first meet
ing OF the commissioners, and are to be decided
within one year. The decision of two commissions
ers is TO be fnal. For the payment Of these claims
I9 gntea M ~ states treasury - a to issue Brsh
quiries OF the commission are to extend to claims
m respect OF losses not only by the Alabama, but
also by the Florida, shenandoah and Georgia, and
appointed by the English government. OF course,
proceed pare to settle the amount OF the claims
with view OF paying them or and presenting them
In consolidated form for settlement they are well
come to do so, but 1t must be pointed out that if
they pass and act upon this bill In the rst place.
the English government Will not dream OF instruct.
Ing counsel to appear before such informal tri-
bunal for to do would be tantamount to agreeing
to accept Its decisions as binding; and secondly,
that, even supposing we admit some liability in
spect Of ihe AlaDama We positively deny our liability
Tor all the losses occasioned by all the southern
cruisers.
TO appoint snch commission as that consem-
plated by the bill Is, In fact, perfectly superhuous.
The first point Is to make out that England is under
any LIABILITY at oil. This the United States assumes,
but England Will not admit, until the matter has
been brought before, and adludcated upon, by some
tribunal OF arbitration agreed upon by the parties.
The extent Of the liabliy-l e., whether it extends
only TO damage caused BY the alabama Or whether
be similarly ascertained Then, aud NOT till thesn;
comes TIC necunlary queston-What Is to be the
amount of the indemnity, II any, to be paid by Eng
lands Unless tins country and the United statos
can agree upon the amount this Question also must
be submitted to arbitration hut 10 the arbitration or
proper tribunal not TO that OF commissioners ai,-
pointed by the United States government and sitting
as United States court. rr1a