Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-04-13

HE ALABAMA CLA1AlS IN The DhlliSh
PARLIAMENT the British House Of Com
mons last night Mr.. Ralhboue asked whether
Government has sent or intended 10 send its
counter case respecting the Alabama claims to
the Geneva Board?
Mr.. Gladstone replied that the case had been
prepared aud dispatched to Geneva. IoucE-
| ing the contents of the documents he would say
there was nothing relative to claims for Indirect
damages 4 note accompanied the case con.
tanning declaration on the part of the Grow
ernment for the purpose of reserving al, rights
appertaining to the Queen in this arbitration.
so that 10 the future the Government would
not be tettered by any Implied compromise.
Mr. Schenck had been duly informed OF the
course taken, and had notified Lord Granville
that there wasno objection to it on his part.
The American counter case would be presented
to the Geneva Tribunal without prejudice to
the rights of either party Mr. ScheDck had
since Informed Lord Granville that the Govern.
ment of the United States concurred IN the view
that the presentation of the counter case would
not affect the position assumed by Great Br-
tain Oh the question Of Indirect claims.
Dsraeli wanted to have the papers pr"dnc-
ed, and asked whether Lord Cine1 Justice
Cockburn was to resume his duties as Il NELL
Der of the Geneva Board?
To this latter question Alr. Gladstone repII-
ed afirlnativey He promised the Brush
COULTER case would be laid before Parliament
at an early day. He praised the House aud
people of England for their torLearance.. aud
Congress aud the people of the United States
for re raining from attempts 10 embarrasS the
question The last note sent to Washington
has not vet been answered. " heu the reply
was received no one would be more willing to
make the House completely acquainted with
the details of the negotiations than himself.
Disraeli said he wanted to lmreSs II on the
Government that the country was deSrous VI
clearly understanding the conditions under
which the Government sent its counter case to
Geneva. This very act admitted on the sur
face the Justice of the American claims tur III
direct damages
Mr.. Gladstone made no further reply, but
again promised that the documents would be
speedily forthcoming.
Lord Granville, in the House OF Lords
made replies in substance the same as
those Of MIR. Gladstone, to questions put by
Lord Stanhope.
Care had been taken, he said, to so frame
the counter case aud accompanying documents
as to leave to Great Britain the right to with.
draw from arbitration should the difference Oh
the subject of indirect damages not be settled.
Earl Russell thought the Government had
failed to escepe from the difficulty. He de-
clared they ought not, under any clrcumStan-
ccs, to consent to the consideration OF claims
for indirect losses.
Earl Russell then gave notice that on the
22d inst he should bring 10 notion for an ad-
dress to the Queen praying that instructions be
given that all proceedings before the arbltrators
at Geneva be suspended until the United States
withdraw their claims for indirect damages.
The Duke of Richmond wanted to have an
understanding, So that there would be no pos
sibility OF the arbitrator saying to England;
You complied with the treaty; you entered
YOUR counter Case therefore We shall proceed
to decision,
Lord Granville suggested that whether a
counter case was presented OF not, the arbtra-
tors might 90 on which the business OF arbltra-
ton
He reiterated that he had been careful to put
the point so thatEng landwoud not be cOmproml-
sed in the matter Of Indirect claims, and that
the United States Government had Slgnlled
it's agreement to this understanding.
| The Marquis of Salisbury regretted that the
Government had abandoned the last chance OF
protesting against the exercise by the General
Board of Jurisdiction over indirect claims, be-
cause the arbitratorS might award "a luup sun
without specifications.
The Duke Of Somerset said the Govern
ment 5 course seriously imperilIed the country :
position The Government should have retu-
sed to present its counter case until the claims
for Indirect damages were Withdrawn. This.
be declared was the Intention OF the nation.
Lord Peuzance gathered from what Earl
Granville had said that the Government was
free to withdraw from arbitration if the reply
of the American Government to the uoble
Lord S last note persisted in a determination to
present the indirect claims. This. Lord PEN
zance concluded, was sufficient.
After further remarks the discussion ceased.
In the House of Commons, later in the even
ing, Sir Wilfred Lawson, member for Carlisle
moved an address to the Crown praying that
measurers may be taken for the withdrawal Of
Great Britain from any treaty binding her to
interfere with other nations by war.
After protracted debate the motion WAS ne
gatived-l36 to 2l.
CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday the
House bill calling on the Commissioners OF
Claims to report to Congress statement OF the
claims heard and determined by them was
passed The Committee Cd Education and
Labor reported bill extending for two years