The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-03
Claims for Fenian Raid Expenses
Ready for Presentation.
TIE ALABAMA CLAINS QUESTION.
Prospects Of a Fierce Wrangle
Upon tEae Subject.

opportunities thus afforded to indulge in
RECREATION.
On Tuesday, an already stated, they visited Mount
Vernon, and on Wednesday they went on picnic
to the great falls or tie Potomac. On Thursday
evening some or the British members dined
with Colonel Rathbone at his elegant man.
sion In this city. On Friday they visited
both Houses of Congress, ana on yesterday all the
British and all the American Commissioners, ex-
cept Secretary Fish, went with a number Of other
invited guests to the rural residence of Mr. Gait In
Maryland, for the purpose Of enjoying
FOX HUNT.
Unfortunately the weather proved unfavorable for
the hunt; but the guests were otherwise well paid
by magnificent indoor entertainment. In answer
TO the question which arises what nave the High
Commission been doing during the past month, ana
WHAT HAVE THEY ACCOMPLISHMENT
It has been seen as shown IN these dispatches,
that they have canvassed upon the general ques-
tons OF dispute between the two countries; and 1t
may now be said that, although they have not yet
arrived at any definite conclusions upon any OF the
questions. there Is concurrent expression OF senti
ment among the Commissioners that within the
next two weeks they will agree among themselves
upon some
BASIS OF ADJUSTMENT
OF all the principal pending questions.
The recent announcement that the labors OF the
Commission would be concluded In few days
seems 10 be without foundation In fact, up to the
present time definite arrangement has been
come 70 upon any OF the questions. With reference
to the
CANADIAN QUESTION,
which has been the principal subject OF discussion.
1t would appear that I'LL the British Commissioners,
except Sir John Macdonald have been willing to
concedc the freedom Of the fisheries upon q rec-
procity basis, but that this question the American
Commissioners have been divided in their
opinions. 1t Is said that Mr.. Fish
and Mr.. Williams have been disposed to
coincide with the views of the majority OF the Bri-
fish commissioners in this NATTER but that General
Schenck, and especially Mr.. Hoar are opposed to IL.
They appear to cling to the idea that the tree import
into this country OF fish taken by Canadians would
seriously Interfere with
THE INTERESTS OF AMERICAN FISHERMEN,
and that the result OF such arrangement in the
course OF few years that class Of our New England
population would ind their occupation gone and that
with 1t the country would be deprived Of the only
practical school 1t now has for sailors. 1t is proba-
BILE, however, that the sequel will show propo-
sition TO adjust the questions between the United
States and Canada upon basis OF
TRADE EQUIVALENT.
Whether such an arrangement sill be satisfactory
the people Oh country III general Is announcer
matter In this connection 1t may be said that the
telegram from Ottawa, published yesterday. to the
effect that In the Senate the Postmaster General
stated that the claims OF Canada for
FENIAN RAID EXPENSES
had been submitted to the Joint High Commission
at Washington and that II they were not enter
tanned the government would press them on
the attention OF the imperial government
does not present the matter IN its proper
aspect. The facts are that the British govern
ment requested the Canadian authorities
to put in writing their claims for damages on &C
count OF Fenan raids and the announcement in the
Canadian Parliament was to the effect That the
British government had acknowledged the
receipt Of the document and minated 1t
would be forwarded to the British Commits
sioners in Washington for their consideration.
1t does not follow that the nome government com.
mtted itself to the point that these claims would be
presented to the Joint Commission, although they
may be so presented when the general question for
claims IS being considered 1t does not appear that
the question OF the
NORTHWESTERN WATER BOUNDARY,
including that OF the possession OF the Island Of san
Juan, IN Puget Sound, presents any serious dlT
Guilty. The question Is simply one as to which
channel is to be acknowledged as the northwestern
wafer boundary. The British claim the channel
which will throw the islands OF the Huron archi-
pelago within her Ma jesty's Jurisdiction. and
the Americans clam that the boundary was de-
ected from the lortyninth parallel by the Treaty Of
1886 simply 80 as to give to England the whole Of
vancouver's Island and that, looking ut that intcn-
ton of the treaty, the main channel undoubtedly
gives the Huron archipelago to the United States.
So clear Is our claim believed to be that
twice the United States proposed to leave that ques
NJ s,syic9
twice England by treaty consented to that refer.
ence but the Senate failed to act upon II, owing to
causes not affecting merits of the matter. Tnere-
FORE 1t Is said that the only consideration for the
Commission To determine ON this subject Is, whether
they will adjust the channel question at once or
agree as both nations nave done before, to leave It
to arbitration.
THE ALABANH QUESTION
has been the subject OF more warm discussion than
any other 1t Is understood that the home govern
ment considering the suggestions OF the Eng.
lsh Commissioners, made by cable from here, and
that further instructions will he received to-mor
row. II seems that the Gladstone government is
not disposed to sanction any proposed adjustment
which might tend To lessen It's popularity In Eng.
land, for Gladstone knows how anxious
DIsRAELI is TO cRITICIsE
the foreign policy or the present government Hence
IL Is that the British Commissioners, who seem viii
ling TO come to an amcaole settlement are embar-
Passed by the attitude OF the authorities In England
with regard to the Alabama claims. 1t viii be re-
membered that Mr. Fish, in the Motley correspond
ence abandoned the ground originally taken In mis-
letter of September 1862 which land great stress uDon
the premature recognition OF the Southern confede-
racy by England, claiming that premature recognl-
ton OF fact which was not then IN existence &C
tuay created the fact by the encouragement which
TiiI nh.