Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-04-20
The High Commission Arrived at an
Agreement Terms of the Conyen-
WASHINGTON, April IL.

The High Commission Arrived at a
, Agreement--Terms Of the Conyer
l tion.
WASHINGTON, April 15.
1t is understood that the join
High Commission have conclude
a convention containing the basi
OF settlement of the Alabami
claims. 1t would seem that ques
tons for the adjustment pendin.
between the United States an,
Great Britain are to be consider
. ed separately, and the plan pro
posed for their settlement to bt
embodied in a distinct convention
and treaties, of course, are sub
iJect on our side to the jurisdiction
OF the Senate. 1t is said a con
vention for the settlement of the
Alabama claims has been signed
by all the commissioners.and thai
1t is divided into eight article.
substantially as follows:
First-The high contractine
parties agree to be bound in theil
conduct by the rule that a nation
shall be responsible for depreda-
tions committed on friendly
power by vessels fitted out and
manned at neutral ports.
Second-The high contracting
parties shall hereafter enforce
this rule in their treaties with all
foreign powers,and will endeavor
to induce the adoption of this
rule as principle ofinternational
law.
Third-The class Of claims
known as Alabama claims shall
be submitted to a commission to
consist of five members, one to
be appointed by the President of
the United States, s,with the advice
and consent of the 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
commission shall meet in Wash
ington within six months after
the ratification of this convention,
the commission shall decide the
responsibility of Great Britain in
each case, and award damages
that may be found. If either of
the three powers last mentioned
fails to appoint a commissioner
the vacancy shall be filled by the
King of Sweden and Norway.
Fourth-In case of vacancy
in the commission, the vacancy
shall be filled in the same man.
ner as the original appoint
ment.
Fifth-Members of the Com
shall be sworn not to be
prejudiced in advance, and to de-
eide 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 depredations
committed upon friendly power
by a vessel fitted out and man,
ned at a neutral port. All claims
shall be filed with the Commits
sion within six months after their |
unless good reasons be
shown for delay, in which case
the Commission may extend the
time for the presentation of
claims. Final decision upon all
claims must be made within two
years from the time of the first
meeting of the Commission. All
money in payment of claims shall
be paid in gold at Washin gton, in
such a manner as the Commits
sion may direct. No decision of
he Commission shall be binding
IN either of the High Contract
ng parties, unless agreed to by
me of the five Commissioners
representing those High Con-
racting parties. Ii
Sixth-This article empowers
he Commission to employ all /;
necessary clerks and assistants,
provides that the expenses of the
Commission shall be borne equal t
y by the high contracting par 3
les, and that all bills shall be i
'aid on vouchers of the Commits
ioners, and enters into details a
Nth reference to the matters.
Seventh-This article provides i
hat in case the Commission !
hould fail to agree ON any specific t
laims,such claims shall be refer
ed to board of three members, c
ne to be appointed by the Pres p
lent of the United States, with +
ne sanction of the Senate, one
y the Queen of Great Britain p
nd ireland, and one by the En- 4 I,
error of Russia. This board p
lall meet in New York within Al
X months after the adjournment q
the other Commission, shall
Ike testimony at length, and de- F
de as to the facts, amounts due,
C. This provision is evidently
tended to cover doubtful cases
ith reference to which the other
commission has not time to take d.
eccessary testimony. l.
Eighth-This, the last article,
lates to expenses of the Board 4
st named, and is similar to ar =; =
Gle 9th, in all essential particu- l.:
rs. I'll
Such, it is said, is the basis of r
of the Joint High Com Gu Gu
ission as to settlement of the COZ
labama Claims. \