The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-17
WASHINGTON.
The Joint High Comnissisa-Tne
Alabama Claims-A Han OF Theif


The Joint High Comnissiee-Hne
Anbama Claims-A Han OF Their
Settlement.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-1t is under
stood that the Joint Higl Commission
have concluded q convention contain
ing a settlement Of the ALBANIA claims.
1t would seem that the questions for
adjustment pending between the United
States and Great Britain re considered
separately, and the plan proposed for
their settlement is to be embodied in q
distinct convention and traties, which
of course are subject on CIR side to the
ratification Of the Senate 1t is SAID
that convention for asetiement OF the
Alabama claims has beensigned by all
the Commissioners, and hat it Is d.
vided into eight articles, substantially
as follows:
First. The high contracting parties
agree to be bound in thei conduct by
the rule that nation shll be respon-
sible for the depredationscommltted on
friendly power by the yssel fitted out
and manned at neutral port.
Second. The high contracting par
ties shall hereafter enforc this rule in
the treaties with all foreig powers, and
will endeavor to induce ;he adoption
of this rule as principe of interna-
tional law.
Third. The class Of clims known
as the Alabama claims shdl be submit
ted to a Commission to onsist OF five
members, one to be appointed by the
President of the United States. with
the advice and consent OF fthe United
States Senate; one to be appointed by
the Queen of Great Britainaud Ireland,
one by the Emperor Of Bnzil, one by
the President of the Republic Of Swift
zerland, and one by the King Of Italy.
This Commission shall meet in Wash
ington within six months after the rati-
fication OF this convention. The Com
mission shall decide the responsibility
of Great Britain in each case, and
award all the damages hat may be
found. If either of the three powers
last mentioned fail to appoint Com.
missioner, the vacancy shall be filled
by the King Of Sweden and Norway,
Fourth. In case OF vacancy in the
Commission, such vacancy shall be
filled in the manner as the original ap-
pointment.
Fifth. The members Of the Commits
sion shall be sworn not to be prejudic-
ed in advance, and to decide each claim
on the evidence presented to them,
being guided, however, by the rule laid
down in the first article Of this conven-
ton, namely, that a nation shall be
responsible for depredatioDs committed
on a friendly power by vessels fitted out
and manned at neutral ports. All
claims shall be filed with the Commis-
sion within six months after their meet
ings, unless good reason be shown for
the delay, in which case the Commits
sion may extend the time for the presen-
tation OF the claims. A final decision
upon all claims must be made within
two years from the time 9 the first
meeting Of the CommissionI All sums
of money in the paymentof claims
shall be paid gold at Washington in
such manner as the Commission may
direct. No decision Of the Commission
shall be binding on either of the high
contracting parties unless ag eed to by
one of the two Commissioners represent
ing these high contracting parties.
Sixth. This article empowers the
Commission to employ all necessary
clerks and assistants provides that the
expenses Of the Commission shall be
borne fully by the high contracting
parties, and that all bills shall be paid
on vouchers of the Commissioners, and
enters into the details with reference to
these matters.
Seventh. This article provides that in
case this Commission shall fail to agree
on any specified sum, such claims shall
be referred to a Board OF three men,
bers, one to be appointed by the Presi-
dent Of the United States with the sane
ton of the Senate, one by the Queen of
Great Britain and Ireland, and one by
the Emperor of Prussia This Board
shall meet in New York within six
months after the adjournment of the
other Commission, and shall take testi-
mony at length, and decide as to the
facts, amounts due, &c. This provision
is evidently intended to cover doubtful
cases, with reference to which the other
Commission has not time to take the
necessary testimony.
The eighth and last article relates to
the expenses of the Board last named,
and is similar to article sixth in all it's
essential particulars. Such it is said is
the basis Of agreement the Joint High
Commission has come to for the settle
VI