The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-08

1
that some definite action will be submitted for the
consideration OF Congress next winter. II was not
deemed practicable to include it in the present con-
| vention.
| THE COMMISSIONERS PLEASED WITH THEIR WORK.
| one or the Commissioners recently said the nego-
| uations were on the principle OF give and take,
thereby implying that 1t Is on the basis OF compro-
mise. The Commissioners seem TO be unanimous In
the belief that their action ought to be satisfactory
to both countries whose respective rights and
| honor they have been careful TO protect The ex-
ecutive authorities OF the two nations appear to be
IN perfect accord as to the principles agreed by
| the Commission, which have been approved by
them from time to time, as they severaliy sub
mitted. The protocol prepared by the Commission
setting forth the basis Of the settlement, also gives
| the reasons for their coming to the conclusions
This Is done to avoid dispute In the future concern
| ing the motives and principles by which they are
actuated.
LIZ Mr. SUMMERS POSITION
towards the new treaty is regarded with some con-
Germ 10y the English Commissioners, and Will be
watched with interest by those who remember how
potent his voiCe-which echoed popular opinion
was In defeating the Johnson-C Clarendon Convention
His friends allege that while he has carefully abb
stained from expressing any opinions as to the
probable character OF the forthcoming treaty, he
peace between the United States and Great Britain
he is prepared to make large allowance, and
to accept much less from England than we
are justly entitled to. The money compen-
sation he regards as secondary to q prac-
teal acknowledgment OF wrong committed.
Our outraged and insulted sovereignty, he
holds, can be appeased by manful and honorable
declaration by England that she did us grievous in
jury. The Johnson Clarendon Treaty made no such
declaration, even by implication. The Alabama was
not mentioned in that instrument, and far as the
outragcs perpetrated upon our commerce were con.
cerned that treaty was silent. All claims of any
character and OF every description, and even the
fact Of liability ITSELF be left to the decision
OF an arbitration, and thus the treaty settled no
principle whatever. While, therefore. Mr.. sumner
contends that he was not only justified,
but it was his duty to protest against
such treaty, and while II was his
right and duty to present our In Its strongest
lights, showing that the wrongs which grew out OF
the hasty and unfrendly recognition OF belgerency,
the Outrages which attended the criminal escape Of
the Alabama and the even more criminal recOgni-
ton OF that piratical ship after In British ports,
as well as the recognition OF the other AngloCOn-
federate vessels, like the concentric rippcs OF the
ocean, were almost boundless in their expansion
OF evil results yet by follows that either
to reject the Johnson Clarendon Treaty will insist
upon convention going to the full extent our case
is logically susceptible Of being carried to. on the
contrary, Mr.. Summers friends say that II the con-
vention plainly and clearly comedies the principles
which he In common with the people OF the United
States expect 1t to DO 1t will NOT only meet with
fcttous opposition at hts hands, but viii receive his
warm support, although, technically. II may not
come up to the full standard of our claims. While
Mr. Sumner, 1t Is stated takes this ground, 1t Is not
certain he will approve the present treaty, as he
may not consider that it comes up to the require.
ments he deems Indispensable rs condition pre-.
cedent.
THE APPROACHING MEETING OF THE SENATE.
There Is much anxiety as 10 whether the senate
will ratify the treaty. but OF this there is yet no
certainty other Senators as well ms Sumner saying
they want to know exactly what It is before they
commit themselves one way or the other The men,
bers Of the Committee Foreign Relations now here
have been made acquainted, in confidence, with the
treaty provisions and furnished with both oral and
documentary Information upon the subject. Precau-
tons will be taken TO prevent premature publica-
ton OF the document - =. =: ~. :.
The Commissioners will remain prepared to reas
semble in case the Senate should either refuse to
ratfy the treaty should amend 1t, although 1t Is
probable that some OF the Commissioners may leave
the city for time while the Senate is discussing the
convention. Should the discussion open up the
whole question 1t is possible that the debate may
quite proracted; but the general impression Is that
II there no serious objections IL Will be disposed
OF In week or ten days. The practice Of the Senate
with regard to treaties has been to consider
them open to amendment and in this respect the
usage is different to that which prevails IN Europe,
where treaties are regarded the act OF the SOW
erelgE. This practice was departed from by Prus
.to.
sent for approval to the open German Parliament
But far as the United States Senate is concerned
the treaty Is practically regarded mere prote,
capable OF being changed and amended in any wav
the Senate may determine. There 10 still strong
and a growing sentiment here In favor Of having
the subject discussed In open instead OF In cret
session.
The treaty has been engrosseu In duplicate and
will he formally signed to morrow at twelve O'Clock
ut the State Department by all the Commissioners
One copy will be at once despatched by special mes
senger to London and the other will be given the
President OF the United States. 1t will be sent to
the Senate on Wednesday. The usual custom s to
transmit all treaties and other executive documents
to the Senate in writing and thus only the original
copy is furnished. The Senate then looks after the
printing OF 1t. In the present case, however, 1t Is
proposed to print the treaty in confidence for
the use OF the Senate, prior TO It's trans
mission to that body. 1t supposed
that this Will the double purpose OF preventing
the premature publication Of the treaty and OF saw
ing time by having printed copies OF the document
in the hands Of Senators on Wednesday, when the
Senate meets The treaty Will be Immediately re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Relations after
which the Senate VIII probably adjourn over until
the following Monday. It is expected that the Com
mittee will take three four days to consider 1t be.
fore IL is reported back There Is good deal of
speculation to how the treaty VIII be received by
the committee. Opposition is expected from at
least two members-Schurz ana Cassery. Patter.
son, OF New Hampshire, Is uncertain. Cameron,
Norton Harlan and Hamlin are counted certain in
favor of the treaty. II is probable that Patterson,
too, who is anxious to be on good terms
with the administration, will also give In his adhe-