Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-03-01
Ehv military Blundsrsr of the
treaty.

8Eo1tys
The ls.es, issue of the London Times,
commenting on the statement of its Phiia- I
dSlphis oorrsspondsn, that the government
ct Washington would not modify its case,
remarks
We had hoped that . settlement Of the
HdiFerenoos between the two countries had
hb,en effected. II nov appears that this
"was Q mistake. The disappointment this
"disoovery proyokes, is sufficiently painful
without any admixture Of resentment
against the American government or the
American people. Our cen1res must be
''reserrsd for our olcn agents, who agreed TO
terms OF reference 30 vague and ill.dehned
"as to admit Of the most divergent inter
"pretations."
This vas written when 10 was believed in
London thu. tho character Of our reply to |
the friendly communication" directed !
BY the Queen would be what IL is now 10
Washington admitted to be. IL We can
correctly appreciate British opinion from
the tone Of the English press, there ~ no.
even small minority in Great Britain
which advises or asks that the arbitration
20 forward If our Interpretation ofthe treaty
Is 10 stand. Such q minority resisted the
wars againsi the grsA, Napoleon. and
against Rasaia in the Crimea, but none
is heard nov 10 plead for the treaty it
our claim Is unAmended. With such una.
nimity, there, IL seemed 20 ua that political
opposition to President GRAST here should
DO hushed aud silsntin this matter while bis
administration dsliberated on the Queens
request. That dsliberAtion il now over,
aud decision refusing the application has
been reached.
Il is possible the British people may re
wise their oonolusioas when the answer from
Washington IL received, or that Mr.. GLAD
sroSE's government may feel strong enough
10 20 on with the arbitration in defiance OF
popular resistance, but in any event the
bens6esnt life spd flavor OF the adjustment
are gone. Il will BE- very long before the
people Of Great Britain will overcome the
feeling that there have been over-smArt prAc-
tees on our parI as we'll a much careless
ness on their own. Many, too, on COR side
the ocean have an impression, not EASILY
sifsced, that EaRlshmen broke the treaty
beoause theT saw on other escape from
paying what they ough, TO pay. On, Of ell
this there 10 reason to fear that the masses
OF the two countries will dislike each other
more than before the negotiation began.
Referring 70 the frank eeosure which the
London Times inaiots upon its own govern
msnt for signing treaty so vague aud i'll
defined in language, without express ex.
clusion Of ell possibility of Submission 10
the Geneva tribunal Of claims for indirect
injuries, the inquiry comes as TO The share
Of the blame We ought as nation 10 assume
for the breaking down Of the adjustment
We think the public mind IN this country
has or viii speedily come to well settled
conclusions on this point. No one can read
the American ''Oase" aud not feel rh0 has
inspired the blundsr. The want Of harmony
between the sixth chapter, which sets forth
the claim for indirect injuries, aud the rest
Of the volume, Is apparent enough. That
ehaptsr halts and stumbles throughout, but
the friction With the rest Of the cease" is
most clearly seen 10 that part which treats
Of the prolongation of the war after Geitys.
burg. This portion bears evidence Of new
aud different Inspiration. II is martial in
mode OF treatment. IL sounds like the eK.
irAordiasrv military chop logic OF BadeAu's
history. Nobody unless laboring under the
delustou that he wAsA profound military
strAtsgis, would have conceived or expressed
the absurd relations between the cruisers
and Lees army which are set forth in those
few sentences Of the chapter which claim
damages for indirect injuries on sccount OF
increased expenses caused By prolongA,iou
Of the rebellion. They are rs ou, Of har.
mohy with the other parts of the case a-
General Grant would be il he attempted
sword in hand, To argue cause before the
Supreme Court. Aud IL is Just this par
which has so inAsmed and exsspersted tbs
British public. Ofsuch indirect iBj uries al
increased rates Of insurance premiums
or transfer Of our oommaroe to the
British dag, little 10 said. 1t is the form
Of the demand for expenses Of the war
after July I, 1868, which has united al
EaglAnd - Que man. Aud that, every one
sees, was Grants especial work probsbly
the only thug he contributed TO the lease -
Absurd and monstrous 40 the propositions
are 10 form aud substance, they we're doubt
less Assentsd 10 on the theory that they
would never be further pressed by our
counsel, and would be summary thrown
out By the tribunal. /. was never dreamed
that the issue would take the form il has
And besides, a President has rights, and it
would have been hard TO exclude his little
military idea from the Cease"
A moments reflection will satisfy any
body OF the oommotion these bayonei
thoughts Of General Grant would BE- likely
to make IN England. The claims for other
indirect iDj uries such rs enhanced rates Of
insurance aud transfer Of our shipping 10
the British lag we're capable Of Apprecia
ton a. TO thar amounts, bot what sum,
President Grant would demand under ihs
military claim for expenses of prolougAtioI
OF the rebellion il had never entered into
the mind Of mao to conceive. 1t is no ex
AggsrAtion TO say tina, il might reach tbs
ransom demanded o. France by Germany.
Under ths treaty . mAj oriiy OF the Aroi,ra
tors decide. Ia 10 10 the power Of three
members 10 decree . gross sum to be
paid TO this country without any explana-
ton Of items or different causes Of damage.
Engiahmsn assume that our arbitrator,
Mr.. Adams, Wonld not in giving judgment
rsbuks the claim pot forth by the President
Of his oountry. We need, then, to secure
but two others Of the aroirAtors
The result clearly 10 that the financial life
Of England for the Text quarter Of a cen.
tury, perhaps forever, 10, under General
CRAFTS military idea as inserted into the
ease practically IN the hands Of t~o Of
the arbltrators selected By neutral govern.
msnts. Who eau wonder tina, Enghsbmen
are IN dread Of the result add swear that
they will not 20 on with such an Grbitra.
ton unless such a monstrous claim il With
drawn.
Il is easy to see ho~ civilian Of tact or
legal scholarship could have put such a
claim, II It must bs put, IN q form to satisfy
those emotional persons, il any there be,
who believe 10 IL foundsd ia law or reason,
Gad .lio satisfy the Blush public that i,
was oaIy inserted pro f1rma to obtain
julgm,aI Of tho tribunal upon the primer
pie, Whatever II was worth, bat With no
possible idea Of ever asking or proving sub
Gtantial damages on account thereof. Gen.
GrAaI IN this baSiness, between Gettysburg
and V,ekIburg, with his swords, muskets,
bAyonols, add big guns, has given a new
aud painful illustration OF the proverbial
bull 10 - caina-shop, with the novel feature
aunarAd Aad that The ,hi,a.hon halonga 10