The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-05-12
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
An Abstract of its Provisions.

An auStIuCt OI llh EEONlhlOubs
WASHINGTON, May II.
The following Is an abstract Of the
treaty Of Washington
ARTICLE /, Whereas, differences have
arisen between the government OF the
United States and the government OF
Her BritaniC Majesty, and still exist
growing ont OF the acts committed by
several vessels, which have given rise 10
claims known rs the Alabama claims;
and whereas, Her Majesty has authorized
her High Commissioners TO express in a
friendly spirit the regret felt by Her Maj
Csly's government for the escape, under
whatever circumstances, of the Alabama
and other vessels from the British ports
Tor dCprCdaliOns by them. Now, in order
to adjust and remove all claims on the
part of the United States, and To provide
for speedy settlement Of the claims
which are not admitted by her Majesty 3
Government High contracting parties
agree that all said claims growing out OF
the acts of the aforesaid vessels, and
generally known as the Alabama claims,
shall be referred to n tribunal arbitration
to be composed Of five arbitratOrs, the first
to he named by the President SOl the
United States; one shall be named by Her
Britanic Majesy; His Majesty, the King
Of Italy, shAll be requested TO name one,
tho President of the Swiss Confederation
will be requested TO name one, and His
Majesty, the Emperor Of Brazil, shall be
rgGuesirl 10 name one. In case of the
death, absence or incapaCily to serve OF
any arbitrator, OF in the event Of any oil
said arbitutOrs being unwilling or de.
clining 10 act, such President Of the United
Suites, or Her Britanic Majesty, or His Ma.
iCsly, the King gOflnly, or Emperor OfBra.
Zil, or President OF the Swiss COnledeTa.
tiOn, as the case may be, will name other
persons TO act rs arbitratOrs in the place
and stead of the arbilratOrs originally
named by such Head Of the State. In
tho event Of o refusal, for two months after
tho receipt Ot the refusal, from either Of
the high contracting parties, His Majesty
the King oI Italy, or the President Oi the
Swiss Confederation, or His Majesty the
Emperor Of Brazil, TO name an arbitrator
either TO I'LL the original appointment in
the place OF one who may have died, he
absent, incapacitated, or who may omit,
decline, or from any cause cease to act as
such arbitrator, Ills Majesty the King OF
Sweden and Norway shall be requested
to name one or more persons, rs the case
may be, to act as such arbitrator,
ARTICLE 2. The arbitratOrs shall meet
at Geneva, in Switzerland, Rt the earliest
day convenient after they have been
named, and shall proceed impartially and
carefully TO examine and decide oil ques.
tiOus that are laid before them on the part
of the Governments of the United States
and Her BritaniC Majesty. All questions
considered by the tribunal are to be de.
CidCd by the majority. Tho arbitratOrs
Of each and all Of the high contracting
parties shall name one person to attend
the tribunal rs an agent to represent II
generally in the matters connected with
the arbitration.
ARTICLES 3, 4 and 3, provide for cyi.
dence and tho manner In which II shall he
taken, and the rights Of either party con.
Cerning II.
ARTICLE .. In deciding matters sub.
mittGd to arbitrators they shall be gov.
erned by the following three rules: The
American government Is bound first to
use due diligence TO prevent the fitting
out, arming, or Gquipping, within It's jur.
isdictiOn, Of any vessel which II has rea.
sOnable ground to believe Is Intended to
cruise OF carry ON war against any power,
and with diligence to prevent the de.
parturc from Its Jurisdiction of any vessel
intended TO cruise or carry on war as
above, snch vessel having been specially
adapted In the whole or part within such
jurisdiction 10 warlillc use. Secondly,
not tO permit or suffer either belligerent
to make use Of ports or waters
as base oil naval operations against
others or for the purpose Of renewal or
augmentation of military supplies or arms
or recruiting men. Thirdly, To exercise
diligence In our own ports and waters
and as TO oil persons within our iuris.
diCtiOn, to prevent any violation Of the
foregoing obligations. Her BritnniC Ma.
iesty has commanded her High Commits.
siOners to declare that Her Najesiy's gov.
Nullllbl NSaNllN W lllO lblNHblllH
rules as statement Of principles In in
ternatiOnal law which were In force when
the claims mentioned in Article arose,
but that Her NlllestY's government agrees
that In deciding the questions between
the two governments arising out Of those
claims the arbitrators should assumC that
TIer Majesty's government had tindCrta.
ken To act IN tic principles set forth in
the rules; and the high contracting par.
ties agree to observe these rules between
themselves in the future, and bring them
TO the knowledge Of the other maritime
powers and tD invite them to aCCede to
them.
ARTICLE I. The decision Ofthe tribunal
shall, Il possible, be made within three
months from the close Of the argument on
both sides. The said tribunal shall first
determine as to each vessel, separately,
whether Great Britain, by an act or
omission, failed to fulfil any Of the duties
set forth in the foregoing rules, or recog.
nized BY principle or international law,
and certify such Tact as TO each Of said
vessels. In case the tribunal finds that
Great Britain has failed to fulfil any duty
or duties as aforesaid, II may If II think
proper proceed 10 award sum 10 be
paid by Great Britain TO the United
States for oil claims referred to II, In
such case the gross sum so awarded shall
be laid in coin by the government Of
Great Britain To the government Ol the
United States, at Washington, within
twelve months after the date of the
award.
ARTICLES 8 and o provide for the pay.
ment Of the expenses, &C., of tho Com
mission.
ARTICLE 10 provides in case the tri.
buna finds that Great Britain has fail.
I'd to fulfil any duty or duties, as alOre.
Iii ,,I loo, ,,nt o,yot td thp ann in grOee