New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-20
PUBLIC OPINION N GREAT BRITAIN.
STATEMENT OF fHE ENGLISH POSITION

Let rs then, once more state clearly what
y r. and what II i not TO when Great 40 mis- he.
cause some Of New-York cOtemporares seem 10 po
object and limits Of the Geneva Arbitration Anticipating
tx'ravagant " cOunteI-caims" on the part OF Great
Britain. We need hardly inform our readers mat no
eountercla.m whatever has been made or could have
di0n Of the Geneva Arbitration tQat II shOOId taKe
oocnzauoe Of American claims against Great Britain,
and the consent Great Britain TO place herself In this
unfayorahle position. without the power OF pleading
seOf, OF the main concessions made II eonsd
Grafton 81 indirect losses being struck out Of the United
States account There were however other concessions
Of equa importance, collectively amounting TO a sacT
have made without any equivalent whatever. BY
devstnC fSom al diplomatic tradition and precedent so
r record expression OF national regret III the
1ramble OF the Treaty. Nv accepuhS Illes loE 1ne
decision Of the questions 10 he brought before te aIo
traitors which Great Britain holds 10 be in the law
Of nations. ana by waving altogether her rgaA Ia M
oemnty the Fenian inyasOne of Canada the British
surrender without betrayng the interests intrused to
them. Having cheenully ratified their acts Great
claims the withdrawal OF which she understood to be
condition of the whole agreement.
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS DECLARED NECESSARY
TO RENDER ARBITRATION POSSIBLE.
Prom The London DAILY Nss-s Of fss
II appears now that the American Govern
rent does not consider arbitration mode Of ami
q sth Of March that they limited this phrasecto the
sum which should be paid by Great Britain 70 me
Uuted states IN satisfaction OF all the claims ana
M Interest thereon. AferWafd however, Ihey STATE
Tat the British Commissioners declined to make TINS
Irrable settlement aud the Joint Hlga Com
MISSION then entered into negotiations which resulted IN
az agreement . that all the claims growing ont Oi
s acts committed by the several vessels whlch nave
Tlse to the claims genercaly hnO"h a. t.c AI'
hama Claims should be referred 10 Tribunal OF Arhira-
ton" To convert the generahty OF az, ancsnie &
ment" on condition 81 which certain CLAIMS were III
tnctly waived into the particularly OF " gS ahcahie
setlemcnt" aud make out that the substitution of
one mode Of trieudiy arrangement Tor ahoIner Is
equivalent TO no friendly arrangement al al,
we waived in the interest Of an amicabe settlement
and not merely OF that form Of emicabe settle
Inent which suggested IN the first instance II It
was rgnt 10 bring BACK aIrndonea ptstelSons, tnis
should have been done specifically and IN 50 many
terms aud not bv amb guOus phrases which we're nau-
rally interpreted ia the spirit OF former proposals ana
what conceived to be the entire temper OF the
nsgoiiators any intention 10 language which
cred a reserved purpose III their minds which they
ID not wish 10 convey 10 their British colleagues Bht
The Americans. being claimants and eXpectan rccp-
tents, naturally anxious 10 make the terms OF
was the interest Of Great Britain TO narrow them
IN the most specific way; For ourselves, We believe
rect losses alleged by the Americans covered 10y
the words OF the Treaty. But this fact does not
probable Inference what should have been explicitly
stated IL the time, said few days ago,
appointed interpret the Treaty, but to adju
dcae upon claims supposed to he distinctly indicated
Il. Dispute having arisen as 70 the meaning of the
agreement which therefore no agreement. It's scope
and intention he settled by further negotiation be-
tween TIE contracting parties before the arbitration I'M
derit j. possible.
PLAYING INTO THE HANDS OF AMERICAN
ROWDIES."
Fry7 Ths London EsGBtioer Of ItI. g
The English papers are showing, as 1t seems
bu far Indignation than j. called for at the pre-
posierou claims put forward Oh behalf Of the United
Stat, regards compensation for the mischief
9ueut upon the escape OF the Alabama but II IL be so,
iht Americans have only themselves 70 thank for IL.
The claims being formally advanced,
kTeaPs bound to accept them as formal; and
l.; at any rate, necessary that should
- far protest against them as TO convince
ther authors that England entirely repudiates the
eAuaAtogs responsibilities that they attempt TO fasen
upon ~ mat more than that is being done however. Is
unfortunate and good deal more is contained IN the
O1scl o angry leading articles that have been writ
fh during The last week two. by such an unneces-
49, eknDon Of temper, and such vigorous return Of
nj ~ buster We are merely PLAYING into the hands
o. be American TOwdies We believe that the United
$50 Government has intention of pressing the OBJ
Lo1ous claims, ana hardly expects thdt they will be
seriously discussed by the Geneva arbitrator aud that
l sSi is intended BY them is that the English should
" 'IaihieO ana the Americans humOred.
lAANIhIIY OF SENTIMENT IN ENGLAND.
= nm TIE LoNdOa Saturday Rerisr Of feb.
III Is satisfactory TO observe that, for the
~ uine Ia II years all parties in England are abso-
10y oi one mind ON the-merits of controversy with
q The North during The civil war the most devoted nd
, Of Republican institutions concur IN the deter
& ancSa for the purposes of injury and insult. Only
D., pSiilcisns are perhaps aware how entirely the
thoGish Government had the best OF the controversy
w ~ 'he Days Of Lord Russell and Mr.. Adams down
80. Llth II the arbitration proceeds, IL will be DIM
Al Al Tor the tribunal mud a preteXt for awarding
TTaisges on account of the escape of the Alabama.
az Fisis'ehi assertions aud the Tesolute diplomacy
peL.aaced the majority 81 Engsimep that the duties Of
Any were al least iuperfecty discharged yet 1t Is
,So'eY certain that the Government Of the day ill.,
be, " good taIth 20 maintain perfect impartality
,tneen the belgcrents The concessions witch were
,oIteo N The Treaty Of Washington were dictated by
A.eiy OF the Government and the nation To oblit
az, th- hhfrendly feelings which had their origin or
81 prteat IN the conduct Of England during the
talne1esh Government has since repeatedly taken
, W N-c4i Tor obtaining apology and d retrospect
go suIstleh Of new doctrines OF International law I;
~ having reeiNed fu consideration for modifying its
aetneaIOr u takes advantage the less
80, isitS OF fhe English representatives TO combine
Perauon. AnheCtO unprecedented In diplomacy, with
s IAN Ior Tribute equal in AMOUNT 10 The demands Of
oefmaDy against France.