Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-05-02

THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Great Drleain's Cosmser Case, as Pre-
seneea g the GeHevN Arisdtratols.
LONDON, April 1S.-The followin.
is a synopsis of the counter case pre-
sented at Geneva BY the agent OF
the par. OF Great Britain;
Part l begins by announcing tina
to the American imputations of hos
tile motives and insincere neutrality
no reply whatever will be offered
England distinctly refuses to ente
into the discussion OF these insinua
tions, because it would be inconsis
tent with her selfrespect, irrelevan
to the main issue, and tend to inhu
ence the controversy. Englauds
governing desire is to fulfil, ever
exceed, her international duties; mol
will any reference be made to the
claim for indirect damages, as cores
pondence with regard to them is
pending between England aud the
United States. England assumes
that the claims are limited to losses
occasioned by the Florida. Alabama,
Georgia and Shenandoah; but does
not objec: to the introduction of the
names of nine other rebel cruisers
added to the list by tue American
case. She calls attention to the fact
that none Of these vessels had prevl-
ousiy been mentioned. No award is
possible for the depredations of the
Boston and Sallle, which are in the
list, but are not mentioned else where
in the case Of the United States, aud
were, probably, inadvertently includ-
ed. The Board OF arbitration IS re.
minded that its conclusions must be
formed on proofs, not allegations,
and the evidence must he sifted. The
statements of American Consuls are
credible, when made with regard to
facts within their personal kEowl.
edge, but they are unreliable when
dealing with rumors. The Consuls
of the American Government, zeal.
ous to indiscrction, shared the irrita
bility generated by the war, and er.
roneous views throughout the strug.
gle colored their reports. England
rejects as evidence the papers cap.
tured on the Richmond, their au-
thorss ssbelng unknown.
Part 2 deals with the American
argument. 1t disputes the PROPOSE.
tion that a neutral power is bound,
at request OF q beligcrcnt, to enforce
its neutrality laws, and add to them
if they are insufficient. It admits
that reparation is due for an appreci.
able injury resulting from a clear
violation Of international duty, but is
unable to attach q distinct meaning
to some Of the twelve propositions
of the American case, and demurs to
the exceptionally rigorous applica-
ton made Of these propositions ia
England. 1t urges that, at the time
OF the Confederate war, the mere
sale and delivery Of vessel adopted
tor war to a beligerent was not vic.
lation Of neutrality; nevertheless, i,
accepts the rules of the Treaty OF
Washington not with tho over strain.
ed construction put on them by the
Government OF the United States
but according to their obvious pur.
port. 1t regret that the United
States should see fit to strain the in,
depreciation Of these rules to their
uttsrmost instead Of accepting them
n fair aud reasonable sense. Il ar.
CUES that England was bound TO re
ceive the Alabama as she would a
vessel of war Of any sovereign State
and concludes by quoting from Or
tolan, the eminent French authority
on International law, to show that
the principles for which the United
States contend were never heretofore
seriously asserted or recognized in
Europe or America.
Part 3 treats Of precedents address
ed IN the American case and replies
thereto with others, such as the fill
clustering attacks Of Lopez on Cubs
and Walker on Mexico and Centra
America, and the foreign raids 0,
Canada. History on this subject i,
the history Of unlawful enterprises
originating in America and will
American citizens. American priva
teers have from time to time harrass
ed England, Spain, Portugal, Mexico
Central America, Cuba and Canada
Part 4 considers the various com
plants made of traffic in munition.
Of war with the South, blockade-run
ming by British ships, etc.
Part 5 gives history Of the cruis
es of the Sumter and Nashville; com
plans Of being required to meet de
mands IN regard to which the sol,
difficulty is to treat them as serious
Part 8 gives an account of tn,
FLORIDA and Alabama, with details o
their escape. 1t seeks to show tina
the time which q psed between NJ
Adams application and the Ala
bama's departure was too short e
justify charge OF negligence, ant
claims that in this respect Englan,
cannot be charged with any ta.lur,
Of duty.
Part is devoted to a history O
the Shenandoah and Georgia.
Part 8 relates to other vessels anf