Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-25
LATEST NEWS.
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70 THE woRoEsrEH DAILY SPY
The Treaty of washington.

NEW YORK, April 24.-At the annual dinner
of st. Georges society last night, Minister
Thornton, in responding to a complimentary
toast TO himself, as the representative of En-
gland, referred to the great friendship which has
so many years existed between the United States
and England. He then SAID at has been in
laboring TO insure this friendship with what
success hope is NOT doubtful, that have been
Obliged to remain in Washington more constant
ly than would have been the case if had been
guided solely by my own inclinations. At the
time OF the conclusion of the treaty of Wash
lngtOn was gratfed at having had the honor
OF being one of its signers | had the irmest
faith IN the principle of arbitratiOn-I have still
No one Supposes that the British commissioners
ever had an idea that the claims for indirect
damages were ever included in the treaty. A
subsequent thorough examination of its word
ing has not persuaded them to the contrary, but
has confirmed their original and publicly pro-
claimed belief The government of the United
States declare that they think otherwise, and
they undoubtedly have the right to form their
own opinion. can but hope, however, that the
present attempt to apply the great principle of
arbitration will not fail on account of such a
misunderstanding, and solution seems papa-
BILE. For whilst 1t is easy, dignifed, generous
and magnanimous between two nations of about
equal power for one of them to waive claim TO
which she considers herself entitled, it would be
impossible fer the other to be bound BY q deci-
sion that renders her a debtor on account of a
Nlalh WHICH SuS uOts uOl tNGu duInlI tllaJ she
has ever agreed to submit TO arbitration | am
convinced that isuch solution of the question
woIld be appauded by every nation in the world
and would do no Tor - the great republic of the
United States"
The London Times of Friday, April 10Th. dis.
cussed at length the duty OF the British govern
ment in relation to Geneva arbitration and the
probable action of England. II saws:
The course to be pursued before the arbtra-
tors on Monday is 50, plain that it cannot be
mistaken. We shall deliver our counter case,
but we must accompany it with a protest that
we do not allow that the claims for consequent
tial damages preferred in the American case are
included in the reference to arbitration or that
1t is within the province of the arbibrators 10
determine whether they are or are not included.
And further, that we tender our counter case
without prejudice TO the privilege, of which we
intend to avail ourselves, of Withdrawing at the
next stage of the proceedings if the claim for
consequential damages be not abandoned in the
interval. The respect for the board which in
duced us last year to refer to their arbitration
the claims we have referred remains undimin-
ished, but the principle of arbitration itself
would be hopeessly damaged if we did not in
sist on restraining the reference within the lin
its to which both governments had agreed
What nation would ever again permit difficult
ty TO be referred to friendly judgment if il were
once allowed that the mere fact of an arbitra-
ton having been agreed upon gave the arbitra-
tors jurisdiction and authority 10 decide
upon anything and everything which
either htigant might insist on bringing before
them. So far from soliciting Judgment of the
arbitrator upon the construction of the treaty.
we must depreeate any expression of opinion
from them upon 1t, and indeed we may be GER
tain that respect for their own dignity will re-
strain the arbitrator from making any declar.
alton as to the meaning Of the convention when
they have been given to understand that it
would have no authority. The counter case
itself should not enter int any argument as TO
the admssibility of the consequential claims.
IL should treat them as mere nullity, to be ex-
plunged or otherwise removed from the case be
fore the next stage is reached. We shall have
thus done all that can be required Of us, leaving
to the other side the responsibility of deciding
whether the arbitration is 10 proceed or to be-
come abortive. 1t was through the inclusion by
their drsughtman Of claims we never refused to
arbitration, that the difficulty has arisen, and if
the difficulty is TO be removed, it must be by
retracting the false step which they provoked.
We shall await the issue with no unworthy anx-
iety, feeling that we have not stinted any effort
to render it one of peace and friendship"