The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-04-27

Basis Of Settlement Agreed On
by the Joint High Commits

Basis Of Settlement Agreed On
by the Joint High Commits
WAsalsoroS, April i5.
! 1t is understood that the Joint
High Commission have concluded q
convention containing basis of set.
Element of the Alabama claims. II
/ would seem that the questions for
adjustment pending between the
Upaed States and Great Britain are
considered separately, and the plan
prepared for their settlement is to
be embodied in distinct conventions
and treaties, which, of course, are
subject on our side to ratification
by The Senate. Il is said the con
vontion for the. settlement of the
Alabama claims has been signed by
all the Commissioners, that is di.
l-vided into eight articles, substan-
tally as follows: IIE
First-Fhe high contracting par
ties agree to be bound in their con-
duct BY the rule that a nation shall
DO responsible for the dopredatiOns
committed on a friendly poweF by
vessels fitted out and manned at
neutral ports.
Second-The high contracting
parties shall hereafter enforce this
rule in their treaties with all for.
sign powers, and viii endeayor to
induce the adoption of this rule as
a principal of international law.
Third-The class of claims known
as Alabama claims shall be submit
ted to 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 Senate; 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 Com
mission shall meet in Washington
within six months after tho ratifca-
ton of this convention. The Com
mission shall decide on the respon.
sibility of Great Britain in each
case, and award damages that may
be found. fE either of the three
powers last mentioned fails to ap-
point Commissioners, the vacancy
shall be filed by the King Of swe-
den and Norway.
Fourth In case of vacancy in
the Commission the vacancy shall
be filed in the same manner as the
appointment
Fihh-Mcmbers Of the Commits
sion shall be sworn moi to be prcju-
diced in advance, and to decide
each claim on evidence presented
to them; being guided, however,
by the rule laid down in the first
article of this convention, namely:
thata nation shall be responsible
for dcpredatiOns committed on u
friendly power by vessel fitted
out and manned as q neutral. All
Claims shall be filed with the Com
mission within six months after
1hcir meeting, unless good reasons
be shown for delay, in which case
the Commission may extend the
time for the presentation of claims.
Final decisions 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
to be paid in gold, at Washing
ton, in such manner as the Com
may direct. No decis.
ion of the Commission shall be
on either Of the high con
traeling parties unless agreed to By
one of two Commissioners repre-
seniing the high contracting parties.
Sixlh-This article empowers the
Commission 70 employ all necessary
clerks and assistants, provides that
The expenses Of the Commission
shall be borne equally by the high
contracting parties, and that all
bills shall be paid on vouchers OF
the Commissioners, and enters into
details with reference to these mat
ters.
Seventh-This article provides
that ia case the Commission should
fail TO agree on any specific claim,
such claim shall be referred to
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
of the other Commits.
sion, shall take testimony at length
and decide as to the facts, amounts
due, &c. nFHg
This provision is evidently in
tended 10 cover doubtful cases,
with reference to which the other
Commission has not time to take
the necessary testimony.
Eighth-The last article relates
to expenses Of the Board last nam
ed, and it is similar to Article ) in
all essen tiai particulars,
Such, il is said, is the basis Of
the Joint High Commis-
sion has come to for the settlement
of the Alabama claims.
A bill recently introduced into
q, q I7;.o;,,;., So..o,o =, .,,..,,t A.