The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-09
JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
The Points or the Treaty.
WASHINGTON. Nav s.

The Washington National Republican
will tomorrow morning print by official
authority the following articles, which
cover the points of the treaty for the
settlement of the Alabama and other
claims pending between the two coun-
tries: The Commissioners were assem-
bled for the adjustment of the claims OF
injury alleged by the United States on
account of the escape Of Confederate
cruisers from British ports, and depre-
dations committed by these vessels
during the late rebellion in this country
The treaty establishes special rules of
neutrality and obligations in addition to
the generally received public law which
rules, although not admitted by the
British Commissioners to have been in
force at the time, and yet it is agreed to
retract and TO be governed the decisions
of the tribunal of arbitration. This
tribunal may either award damages in
detail or in gross at discretion or
it NAV refer this duty to
Board of Assessors sitting in the
United States, who shall report from
time to time, with payment to be made
accordingly and in the generous spirit
of a power, the concession OF its fame
and greatness and of its capability to
speak as well as act independently and
rightfully at all times. The British
Government frankly expresses its neg
lect for the occurrence of the incidents
complained OF by the United States.
For the adjudication Of all other
claims of citizens of the United States
against Great Britain or Of subjects Of
Great Britain against the United States
during the same period, that is, from
the 18th of April, 1861, to the 9th OF
April 1865. An ordinary mixed Com
mission is provided to sit at Washing
ton with an umpire to be nominated,
if necessary, by designated friendly
power.
This Limitation Of time is material in
substance for it confines the real inten-
tons against the United States TO In
cidentsiof actual war.
It's accompanied also with a decla-
ration on the part OF the British Com
missioners to the effect Of excluding
claims on account Of slaves property.
Statements are made in some quarters
exaggerating the amount Of such claims.
II there could be cause in the stipula-
ton itself to apprehend the presentation
of claims against the United States OF
any considerable amount, all such ap'
prehensions would be dispelled by
consideration Of the attitude OF the
British Government in the matter OF!
the claims of British subjects arising
out Of the late war between France and
Germany. Lord Granville, having in
accordance with the advice OF the law
officers of the Crown given notice
to all the parties that foreigners
having property ih France are
not entitled to any special pro-
lection therefrom nor TO exceptions
from military contributions which they
were liable in common with the inhab-
itants of the place in which they re-
sided or in which their property might
be situated, that they were equally LA
Bile with such inhabitants TO have requi-
sitions levied on their property by
either belligerents, aad that they could
have no claim for compensation on the
ground Of their being neutral foreign
ers for loss, and which the necessities
of war brought upon them in common
with the French Government, and can
not invoke a reclamation in the prem
ises in their behalf against Germany or
France.
The doctrine Of these dispatches ap
piled, and it is to belligerent sovereigns,
affords ample protection to the United
States in the matter o. any mere act OF
war committed by the United States
in suppressing the rebellion in the
Southern States, and it is to be hoped
also that most of the claims against the
United States for seizure Of cotton, many
of which are being heard in the late
claim are Of dates subsequent to the
limits OF the treaty, and not compre-
hended in its scope.
These treaty stipulations so just, 80
honorable, so fair, and withal SO favor
able to the United States, disposes OF
all differences between the two nations
growing out of the late civil war, and in
fact ali the difference between Great
Britain and the United States. The
method OF adjustment is such as, while
assuring our rights to guard the honor
Of ::both Governments, to set an
example to other Governments in
the interest of the peace of the
world by the constitution OF an
tribunal of direct partl-
cipation Of so many great sovereign
powers. The same great idea OF In
arbitration through the in
Of friendly powers and the
same spirit Of cordial but selfrespecttul
prevents the stipulation
Of the treaty in regard to the differences
whichAy their scale or subject are more
purely American. The foremost ques-
tion is the fishery on the coast OF the
British possessions By the liberality
secured to them by the treaty
of 1918, the fishermen OF the United
States shall have liberty to the sea
coast, shore bays, lakes, harbors and
creeks of the Provinces OF Quebec, Nova
Scotia, the Colony of Prince Edwards
Island and of the islands adjacent, with
out being restricted to any distance
from the shore, with permission to land
upon such coasts, shore and islands, and
also for the purpose Of drying nets and
curing their fish, subject, of course, in
this respect to the local rights Of pri-
vate property and the same liberty
is granted to the British subject on the
United States north Of the thirty-nlnth
parallel Of latitude. This liberty shall
not include on either side, shell-fish or