The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-04-17
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Bases of Settlement.
WASHINGTON, April /

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WASHINGTON, April 10.
1t Is understood that the Joint High
Commission have concluded a convention
containing bases Of settlement Of the
Alabama Claims. 1t would seem that tho
questions for adjustment now pending be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
are considered separately and the plan
proposed for their settlement TO be en-
bodied in distinct convention and treaties
which of course are subject on our side
to ratification by the Senate. 1t Is said
that the convention ior tho settlement ot
the Alabama Claims has been signed by
all the commissioners and that 1t Is divided
into eight articles substantially as follows:
First. The high contracting parties
agree to be bound In their conduct by the
rule that nation shall be responsible for
depredations committed on friendly pow.
er by vessel fitted out and manned at a
neutral port.
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 OF international law.
Third. The claims known as the Ala.
bama claims shall be submitted TO com.
mission 70 consist Of five members; one TO
be appointed by the President OF the Uni.
ted 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 tho Republic Of Switzerland,
and one by the King of Italy. This com.
mission shall meet in Washington within
six months after the ratification Of this
convention. The commission shall decide
the responsibility OF Great Britain in each
case, and award the damages that may be
found. II either Of the three powers last
mentioned fails to appoint q commissioner,
the vacancy shall be filled by the King OF
Sweden and Norway.
Fourth. In case OF vacancy In the com.
mission the vacancy shall be filed In the
same manner as the original appointment.
Filth. The members Of the convention
shall be sworn not to be preludtced in ad'
vance and to decide each claim on the
evidence presented to them, being guided,
however, by the rule laid down in the
first article OF this convention, namely,
that nation shall be responsible for dep
relations committed on friendly power
by vessels fitted out and manned at neu.
trail ports. All claims shall be filed with
the convention within six months after
their meeting, unless good reasons be
shown for delay, in which case the con-
vention may extend the time for the pre-
sentation OF claims Final decisions upon
all claims must be made within two years
from the time Of the first meeting Of the
convention. All sums Of money in pay
ment Of claims shall be paid In gold at
Washington In such manner as the conven.
ton may decide. Nodecision ot the CON
vention shall be binding upon either Of
the high contracting parties unless agreed
to by one Of two commissioners repre-
senttng these high contracting parties.
SIkth. This article empowers the con.
vention to employ oil necessary clerks
and assistants; provides that the expenses
OF the convention shall be borne equally
BY the high contracting parties, and that
ali bills shall be paid on vouchers Of the
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reference to these matters.
!epnM. This article provides that in
case the commissioners should fail 10
agree on any specific claims, such claims
shall be referred to a board Of three mem
bers, one to be appointed by the President
of the United States, with the sanction o.
the Senate, one by the Queen o
Great Britain and Ireland, and one by thC
Emperor OF Prussia. This board shall NEE
at New York, within six months atlel
the adjournment Of the other Commission
and shall take testimony at length, anC
decide as to the facts, and amounts due
&c. This provision Is evidently intended
10 cover the doubtful cases with reference
to which the other commission has no
time to take the necessary testimony.
Eighth. The last article relates to the
expenses Of the board last named, and Il
similar to article sixth, in all the essentia
particulars.
Such, It Is said Is the basis Of thI
agreement, the Joint High Commis
sion has come to for the settlement Of thI
Alabama claims.
The Foregoing to be Received with
Caution.
WASHINGTON, April15
The statement published to-day, pur
porting to be tho basis agreed upon by thl
' High Commission for settling the Ala
= bama claims, Is viewed here as erroneous
The expressions Of the members Of th
u Commission, do not warrant the belle