Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-01

The Washington correspondent of the New
York Post seems to be particularly favored with
information in respect to matters of diplomacy
in Washington. II is more than a week since
he communicated the intelligence that proposi.
mons for the settlement of the Alabama claims
had been received in Washington from the Brit
ish government. His dispatches should before
this, have put other correspondents on the scent
aud elected more precise information on the sub
1ect; but, up to this time the other writers from
the capital have not word to say about these
important negotiations. The original authority
now comes forward for the third time with a
fresh budget of news. He now says the subject
was pot formally introduced and discussed in
the senate committee on foreign relations, but
was brought forward informally by senator at
the instance of the administration, and discussed
informally, in order to get the opinions of mem
bers of the committee.
Inc same correspondent also now processes to
be able to state definitely the basis on which
Great Britain is willing to treat on this subject.
as follows: England will admit her liability for
all damage done by the Alabama: will sinh.
init to arbitration the cases Of the Shenandoah.
Florida, Georgia and other vessels; will enter
into treaty binding the two countries to here
after prevent the sailing of vessels of war from
their ports to be used against friendly power
and will make and execute efficient municinal
laws for that purpose. These terms, it is said.
are not satisfactory to some members of the
committee, for the reason, chiefly, that as they
provide positively for the payment only of the
Alabama claims proper, the claims founded on
the depredations by other rebel cruisers will be
materially weakened by this concession. One
prominent member of the committee, it is said
is openly opposed to any settlement that does
not involve the cession of some part of the Brit
ish territory in America in satisfaction of these
claims
Inc lack OF confirmation of this writer's state
ments by Others, who might be expected 10 he
as well informed as he, tends to discredit This
intelligence although it is repeated so many
times and with so much minuteness of detail
The basis of the proposed treaty, as stated
above, is substantially the same which some
English newspapers have lately suggested as
the grounds on which their government would
probably be ready 10 conclude a treaty. and
which ought to be reasonably satisfactory TO us.
From these remarks of the English papers. the
story of the Posts correspondent may perbaps
have been evolved by some of the Washington
news makers. If a proposition of this nature
has been made to the secretary Of state by the
British minister, and communicated formally or
informally to the senate committee, so that the
knowledge Of it is accessible TO one correspon-
cent Tie tact must soon become public through
some channel that will command general conf
denee ano the reasonabeness Of the proposed
settlement VIII he openly discussed. Such pub
betty and discussion, even while the official ne.
eotiations are pending, can do no harm. but
gooa rather although it may seern to profess
sionai diplomatists as shocISingly irregular.
The Massachusetts board Of agriculture are