New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-08
PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN WASHINGTON.
TIE TENOR OF EARL GRANVILLES NOTE
OPINION or THE PRESIDENT AND sECRE-
TARY OF STATE RESPECTING THE CLAIM
FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGEs-DISCUssION
IN THE SENATE EXECUTIVE SESSION.


IN THE SENATE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THB rRIBUNIi
WAsnISGToS, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1874
For the first time since the excitement in England
over the American case became known here, people
have been able to-day to talk about the subject in an
intelligent manner. The Queens speech and the adj
missions Of the State Department have settled the
question whether Gladstone's ministry has made any
communication Ia Government on the subject.
A telegram from Minister Schcnck TO Mr.. Fish an
nounces that a note friendly and without threat or
demand Of any kind has been received by the former
from Earl Granville, ard that it will be forwarded
by mail. Its tenor in fOreshadOwed by the par
agraph on the subject in the Queens speech.
The British Ministry do not think THAT
the United States had right TO ask for consequent
tial damages of any kind. The President and Mr..
Fish are firm in tho belief that the Treaty in
press terms does give the right to present these
claims to the Geneya Board Of Arbitration and that
that Board 10 the only tribunal which can decide
whether they shall be admitted or not. At the same
time it must be admitted that neither
the President nor Secretary of State
has any expectation that consequential damages
tn any great amount will be awarded or paid, and
one Of Them least does not hesitate to say SO in
conversation. They hold that they had no altcrna-
tive but to present al claims of the United States,
that there might be no point left open for future
dispute. That the United States has heretofore held
that it entitled 10 indirect damages, they say,
mo Que can truthfully deny
The subject came mp for discussion in the Senate,
in Executive session, this afternoon Senators
anxious TO talk about it, and, there being way to
avoid the discussion Of the Amnesty bill while tho
body remained in legislative session, the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Edmunds yesterday
morning, was At once taken up, and several
Senators expressed their opinions. Mr.. Cameron, who
as Chaima or the Foreign Relations Committee, is sup
posed to represent the Administration in all matters
pertaining foreign affairs cOntended for the right OF
the United States and tho policy too 10 demand all that
has been asked for by any on the principle
That tho more there IS asked for the moro VIII be
received lie thought that those who had prepared
the American had therefore done wisely in putting
In all indirect well direct claims for damages MI
Sumner Is reported to have made the speech OF the
session the question: and only just to say that 1t
has recently out that the shabby
manner In which the Senate treated MT Sumner last
Spring, when the ratification OF the Treaty became In
degree doubtful account Of the bad management
o: friends, Mr. Sumner came forward with one Of his
abest speeches and saved 1t from defeat In his speech
to-day ho s stood up for the consequential damages
for which he eloquenty pleaded In MS
historic speech the subject three years ago.
He defended the position which has been taken by the
Governments but what struck his hearers most forcby
the which he showed the effect which the
tone Of the English Press unanimous as 1t was VIII in'
evitahy have upon the members OF tho Geneva Board OF
Arbitration. eve shall have to before that Board he
said, with bare case, for the voice OF the
American Press is heard In the capitals OF Europe as
that o. the London newspapers Great Britain will sub
stantaly lay before the members OF that Board an argu
inent In her favor through the London journals every
day, from now I'LL the meeting OF the Board in june
THIS he believed TO be the ultimate object OF the whole
excitement.
Some OF the Presidents warmest friends are already
beginning to be- alarmed lest the award OF the Geneva
Board shall not De of nature TO give them strength In
the coming national campaign. We have asked Tor 70
much. they say that our people will expect that very
heavy damages will be awarded; and when they ma
that the paiiry of q OOoOoo net is all that We re-
ceiye, the Intelligence will come wet blanket upon
Gen. Grants hopes