The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-02-15
ENGLAND AND THE UNIFIED STATES.

ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES.
The recent manifestations of the English
papers in reference to the matters to be con-
sldered before the Geneva Conference: do
not excite corresponding Juror in this coun.
try. 1t would seem that the Americas case
Was made out as carly as the 18th Of Dccem-
her last, and that the whole budget of claims.
including that for consequential damages, by
reason of the operations of the Confederate
Cruisers, especially the Alabama, was fully
known in England. This would seem to in
dictate that the excitement exhibited recently
In that country, was pre- determined, and
that 1t is designed more as hravado, than an ar
cumentative presentation ofthe English side
1t is stated that the English government is
earnestly anxious to prevent serious mlsuh-
Outstanding between the two countries, and
the question Of consequential damages might
be tolerated before the commission, provided
it vas understood that the amount, if any.
should not exceed certain figures They
would thus yield the principle Of indirect
losses and meet the views of the American
people, and the requirements of the Ameri-
can Interpretation Of the treaty.
While the discussion is going on in the
English journals and in Parliament, the peo-
pie Of the United States are comparatively
quiet. We would certainly have nothing to
lose. by presenting our claims according to
the case made out. If allowed, they would
60 far towards lessening the national debt
If not allowed BY the arbitrator we would
only feel that smart yankee trick had failed
Pending the negotiations before the High
Commission at Washington last year, the
representatives of the United States agreed
to take $40, 100000 as satisfaction in bulk
for losses sustained, both directly and in lirect
ly by the Confederate cruisers. That was not
acceeded to. The American case, as now,
made out, only claims $4,000, 900 for direct
losses, but an almost indefinite amount for
consequential damages" The U s. is will
ling to abide the decision of the arbtrators.
II the English government will consent to
the last named claim going before it. It
is the opinion Of some OF our ablest atesmcn
and most Influential journals, that the claim
is not a tenable one.
In England, latest accounts say, the con-
fllct of opinion on the Alabama claims in
creases A meeting of worki-gmcn will soon
be held to oppose the course Of the British
government aud demand the immediate set
Element Of the claims, the sum paid to the
United States to be subsequently, recovered
! from the builders of the vessels which caused
the damages. A party in Parliament is pre-
pairing to move for the resignation OF the
present ministry on the ground of its blunder-
ing incapacity aud the formation of cabinet
which shall propose Il settlement of the Amer.
lean claims on a new basis.
A Vienna newspaper. the Presto, says, in
an article upon the claims of America before
the arbitrators at Geneva, that England has
probably learned that the opinion of the board
| will be unfavorable to the conduct of tina,
nation during the civil war in America, and
fears the consequences of her course toward
the United States.
Caleb Gushing. ]. Bancroft Davis and VIM
NJ. Evarts have arrived in Paris. and are in
close consultation in regard to the business
before the Geneva board of arbitration.
Prayers were offered on Sunday last in all
the churches of Sheffield, England Tor the
prevention of war between England aud the
| United States.