Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-22

Britain has, Dy any act or ofiiissloH Iaheu 10
fulfill any OF the duties set forth in the fore
going three rules, or recognized by the
principles OF international law not incon-
sistent with such rules, and shall certify such
fact to each of said vessels. In case the
Tribunal find that Great Britain has failed
to fulfill any duty or duties as aforesaid, it
may, If it think proper, proceed TO award
sum in gross to be paid by Great Britain to
the United States for all the claims preferred
against it; and to be paid in coin by the
Government of Great Britain to the Govern
ment Of the United States, at Washington,
within twelve months after the date of the
award.
In case the Tribunal finds that Great
Britain has failed to fulfill any duty as afore-
said, and does not award sum in gross,
then the treaty provides that a Board Of As
SCISSORS shall be appointed to determine what
claims are valid, and what amount shall be
paid by Great Britain to the United States on
account Of the liability arising from such
failure, as to each vessel, according to the
extent Of such liability as determined by the
Arbitrators. The mode of selecting this
Board of Assessors is prescribed, the man
ner in which they shall render their decision,
etc.
The high contracting parties engage to
consider the result Of the proceedings of the
Tribunal of Arbitration and the Board of AS
SCISSORS, should such Board be appointed, as
a full, perfect and final settlement of all the
claims hereinbeforc referred to; and further
engage that every such claim, whether the
same may or may not have been presented to
the notice Of, made, preferred or laid before
the Tribunal or Board, shall, from and after
the conclusion of the proceedings OF the
Tribunal or Board, be considered and treated
as finally settled barred and thencefOrth in
admissible.
THE AMERICAN CASE.
WASHINGTON, February.
The following is the full text of the Amer
lean case in relation to claims for indirect
damages. 1t is the sixth and closing chap
ter Of the printed volume submitted to the
arbitrator at Geneva. The chapter is en-
titled "The Tribunal should award sum in
gross to the United States"
in the opening conference Of the Joint
High Commission relating to the Alabama
claims, the American Commissioners stated
the demand of the United States. They said
that there were extensive direct losses in the
capture and destruction Of large number
of vessels and their cargoes, and i'm heavy
national expenditures in pursuit OF cruisers;
and indirect injury in the transfer of large
part of the American commercial marine to
the British flag; enhanced payments OF in
surance in the prolongation Of the war, and
in the addition of large sum to the cost of
the war and suppression OF the rebellion.
losses to individuals which had thus far been
presented amounted to about $14,0OO,OOO,
without the interest, which amount was liza
bic to be greatly increased by claims which
had not been presented; and that the direct
losses to the Government in the pursuit OF
cruisers could be easily asccrtained by GER
tificatos Of Government Accounting officers.
They added that in the hope of an ami
cable settlement, no estimate was made
of Indirect losses, without prejudice, how
ever, to the right Of indcmnificatiOn on their
account in the event of no such settlement
being made The British Commissioners
declined to make the amicable settlement
which was proposed on the part of the
United States The Joint High Commission
then entered into negotiations which result
in an agreement in order to remove and ad-
just all complaints on the part of the United
States, and 70 provide for speedy settle
ment of such claims; that all claims grow
ing out Of the acts committed by several
vessels which have given rise to claims gen
orally known as the Alabama Claims, should
be referred to this Tribunal of Arbitration.
1t was further agreed by this Tribunal,
should it find that Great Britain had, by any
act or omission, failed to fulfill any of the
duties set forth in the rules in the sixth ar
ticlc OF the Treaty, or recognized by the
principles Of international Law, ms not in
consistent with such rule, it might then pro-
coed to award a sum in gross to be paid by
Great Britain to the United States for all the
claims referred to it. The claims, as stated
by the American Commissioner, may be clas-
siticd as follows:
First. Claims for direct losses growing out
Of HE aaaGt 7fietiun of Vessels and their car
goes by insurgent cruisers. Second. Nation
al expenditures in pursuit Of those cruisers
Third. Loss in the transfer OF American
commercial marine to the British tag-
81
Fifth. Prolongation of the war, and the adj
dition of a large sum to the cost of the war
and suppression of the rebellion.
So far as these losses and expenditures
grew out of acts committed by the several
cruisers the United States are entitled to
ask compensation and remuneration there
for before this Tribunal. The claims for di-
rect losses growing out of the destruction of
vessels and their cargoes, may be further sub
divided into, first, claims for the destruction
of vessels and property of the Government
OF the United States second, claims for the
destruction of vessels and property under
the flag of the United States; third, claims
for damages or injuries to persons growing
out OF the destruction of each class of yes
sells in the accompanying volume seven a..
The Tribunal will find ample data for de-
termining the amount of damage which
should be awarded in consequence of in
jurics inflicted by reason of the destruction
of vessels or property, whether of the Gov
eminent or private persons. The Govern
mcnt vessels destroyed were of two classes.
those under charge of the Treasury Depart
ment and those in charge Of the Navy De-
partment. The Tribunal of Arbitration will
find i'm article seven CD detailed statements
of this class of losses, certified by the Sccre-
tary of the Treasury, or by the Secretary of
the Navy, as the case may be. The United
States reserve, however, as to this and as to
all other classes of claims, the right to pre-
sent further claims, for consideration to this
Tribunal; and, also, similar rights as to all
classes of claims, i'm case this Tribunal shall
determine not to award sum in gross to
the United States.
With this reservation, they present a de-
tailed statement of all claims which have yet
come to their knowledge for the destruction
Of vessels and property by cruisers. The
statement shows the cruisers which did the
injury; the vessels destroyed; the several
claimants for the vessels and for the large
amounts insured upon each, and all other
facts necessary to enable the Tribunal to
reach conclusion MS to the amount of injury
committed by cruisers. 1t also shows the
nature and character of the proof placed in
the hands of the United States by the suffer
ers. The originals Of the documents referred
to are on file in the Department of State at
Washington, and can be produced If desired.
The United States only ask reasonable no.
tice, giving them sufficient opportunity to
produce them. 1t is impossible at present