The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-03
The Forthcoming Treaty.

With all the attempts at secrecy, the
main points of the treaty, which it is
understood has been concluded, between
the United States and Great Britain, are
gradually coming out The correspondent
of the Philadelphia Press says that the
American commissioners are highly pleased
with the result of their labors. General
Schenck, in conversation with Mr.. Sumner
few days ago, said, 81 think you will
like what we have done" Judge Hoar
and Judge Williams are equally sauguine
that the treaty will meet the approval, not
only of the Senate, but Of the people The
points of the treaty are:
First. The Alabama claims are eft open for
the action OF future commissions, to be ap.
pointed in the manner specified. The princi-
Piles upon which they are to be settled, the
laws to be applied, are, however, agreed upon.
1t is provided that two commissions shall be
appointed, each to consist of five members,
one to audit and allow the claims of Americans
against Great Britain, and one to audit
allow the claims of Great Britain against the
United States. These commissions are to
meet in neutral territory that is, they will
neither meet in England nor the United Safes
Second. TIE fishery question is settled salts.
factorily to the United States, with the pro-
viso that our government shall pay certain
sum of money for the privilege of fishing in
Canadian waters. The amount to be paid has
not been mentioned, but 1t is said to be a COM
paratively small sum. -et.,-l
Third. The San Juan or boundary question
is referred to an arbitrator, understood to be
the President of Switzerland. 1t is the opin-
ion of the American commissioners that the
case is so clear, even as viewed by the British,
in our favor, that the arbitrator cannot fail to
give us the boundary so long claimed by us
and heretofore denied by Great Britain.
1t is just possible that the arrangement
made about the settlement of the Alabama
claims will excite opposition in the Senate.
The admission that the English claims, or
alleged claims, against the United States,
shall offset to any extent the Alabama
claims, is regarded as dangerous, to say
the least Senator Sumner, who has ex
amined the whole subject with his usual
exhaustive research, says our people have
no idea of the amount of these so-called
claims which English citizens hold against
the United States They are estimated all
the way from twenty to thirty millions
sterling. This being the case, they will, if
admitted, not only completely offset our
Alabama claims, but leave a large balance
in favor Of Great Britain. Mr.. Sumner has
in his possession an official list of these
English claims. They cover several print
ed pages, folio size. Mr.. Sumner said to-
day that if the treaty on this subject is as
he has been informed, and allows the Eng
fish claims to be audited and settled, we
shall be lucky if we get out of the BUSH
ness without having to pay Great Britain
large sum out of the national treasury,
after taxing our people to pay for a war
for the prolongation of which Great Bri-
tain was directly responsible.
The United States is allowed the free
navigation of the st. Lawrence and the
use of the Canadian canals by paying the
usual tolls