Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-04-16
WASHINGTON.

BASIS or SETTLEMENT BETWEEN ENG
LAND AND THE UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON, April l5.-It is un-
derstoOd that the Joint High Com
mission have concluded a convention
containing the basis of the settle
ment of the Alabama claims. 1t
would seem that the questions for adj
iustment pending between the United
States and Great Britain are to be
considered separately, and the plans
proposed for their settlement are TO
be embodied in distinct conventions
aud treaties, which, Of course, are sub
iecC on our side to ratification of the
Senate.
It is said that a convention for the
settlement of the Alabama claims has
been signed by all the commissioners,
and that il is divided in eight articles,
substantially as follows:
First. That the high contracting
parties shall agree TO be bound in their
conduct by a rule that q nation shall
be responsible for the depredatiOns
committed on a friendly power by the
vessel fitted out and manned at a neu-
tral port.
Second. That the high contracting
Darties shall thereafter enforce this
rule In their treaties with all foreign
mowers, and will also endeavOr 20 in
duce the adoption Of this rule as a
principle Of the international law.
Third. The class OF claims known
as the Alabama claims, shall be
submitted to q commission to
consist of five members, one to
be appointed by the President Of
the United States, with the advice
and consent of the United States Sen
ate: one by the Queen Of Great Britain
and Ireland: one by the Emperor Of
Brazil: one BY the President Of the
Republic Of Switzerland, and one by
the King Of Italy. This commission
shall meet in Washington within SIX
months after the ratification Of this
convention. The Commissioners shall
decide the responsibility OF Great
Britain in each case, and award the
damages that may be found; if either
OF the three powers last mentioned
fails 10 appoint a Commissioner, the
vacancy viii be filed by the King Of
Sweden and Norway.
Fourth. In case Of q vacancy in the
Commission, the vacancy viii be filed
in the same manner as the original
appointment.
Fifth. The members Of the Com
mission shall be sworn not to be pre-
iudiced ia advance, and to decide
esch claim on facts presented 10 them,
being guided by the rules laid down
In the last articles of this Convention,
namely: that a nation shall be respOn-
sible for the depredatiOns committed
on a friendly power by a vessel fitted
out and manned at s. neutral port.
All claims shall be filed with the
Commission within six months after
the meeting, unless good reasons be
shown for delay, in which case the
Commission may extend the time
for presenting claims. A final deci-
sion upon all claims must be made
within two years frOm the time Of the
first meeting Of the Commission. All
sums Of money in payment Of claims
shall be paid in gold, al Washington
in such manner as the Commission
may direct. No decision Of the Com
mission shall be binding on either Of
fhe high contracting parties, unless
agreed 10 By one OF the two COmmis-
siOners representing those high con-
tracing parties.
Sixth. This article empowers the
Commission 10 employ ali necessary
clerks and assistants, and provides that
the expenses of the Commission shall
be borne equally by the high contract
ing parties, and that an bills shall be
paid on vouchers Of the Commission
ers, and enter into details with refer
suce to these matters.
Seventh. This article provides that
in case the Commission should tail To
aQree on any specific claim, such claim
sRslI be referred to a board of three
members, one to be appointed by the
President of the United States, with
the sanction Of the Senate; one by the
Queen Of Great Britain and Ireland,
and one by the Emperor Of Russia.
This board shall meet at New York
within six months after the adjourn
ment OF the other Commission, and
shall take testimony at length and
decide as TO facts, amounts due, etc.
This provision is evidently intend
ed to cover doubtful cases, with refer
ence to which the other commission
had not time to take necessary testi-
mOny.
Eighth. The last article relates to
the expenses Of the board last named,
and Is similar 20 the sixth article in
all essential particulars.
Such, it is said, Is the basis Of agree
ment the Joint High Commission
have come 10 for the settlement Of the
.Alabama claims.
A DENIAL.
The basis agreed upon By the High
Commission, FOX the settlement Of the
Alabarna claims, Is regarded here as
errcueous. The expressions Of mem