New-York tribune., 1872-05-16
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
.c-rroN OF THE CHAMBER OF CoMMERCE-THE
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLE RECOMMENDED
At q special meeting of the Chamber OF
Commerce yesterday afternoon, VIM. E. Dodge pre-
siding vceP President opdyke offered the following reso-
utions:
Whereas, The Treaty OF Washington referring the dif
ferences between s country and Great Britain 70 arD
importance 10 the interests civilization and peace and
the honor Of proposing belongs to the Government OF
Whereas Differences Of opinion have arisen between
the Governments Of the two countries respecting tno
proper construction Of the Treaty In regard 10 the eas
for indirect damages and supplemental article Tor inc
settlement Of those differences has been proposed py he
before the Senate for advice which article appears 70
this Chamber 70 be sound in pne S fop tSe
future, and especially beneficial to the OmIeu SIa'oS
whereas, The failure OF the Treaty would be great
public calamity therefore, 49,
ReSoiped That this Chamber, without meoDlng tnerey
10 mpy that our Government has at all erred In It's con-
struction Of the Treaty. and believing tha the supple
mental article is more than equivalent Tor tne ess b U
our Government originally presented ana feenng ho
importance of removing all obstacles in the WAY oi @
execution Of the Treaty. earnestly the senate To
nEi fatify y it, t1' ''ff '''''' - '''' ~
The text of the supplementary article was then read
Mr.. opdykeI believe that the spirit OF our Govern
ment in presenting these claims eminenty proper,
but these claims are difficult 10 ascertain ana ascer
taineo enough to bankrupt any nation. am anxious
that we should have ruling which VIII In the future
protect neutrals from consequential damages IL Is
especially important the United States with It's sea
coast OF nearly 5000 miles TO prevent the nttg out anu
escape Of privaeers time of war between European
powers. We want the protection of this supplemental
article BY abandoning the claims for indirect damages
we will saw, the Treaty.
Alexander Demar-I protest against purely business
body taking up what consider to be partisan politics.
and being asked to pass resolutions TO save the present
Administration from the consequences OF palpaDle
blunder hope that all who dsapprove of the interfer
ence Of the Chamber in partisan politics viii vote down
the resolutions.
President Dodge-The remarks of the gentlemen have
more reference to politics than have ever before heard
IN the Chamber. lApplause.l
Sinclair Tousey-I am it is well known to you ALL uD
friendly to the present Administration, yet am heartily
in favor Of the resolutions. [Applause.l
A. Hggins-I welcome this offer OF the United states
to settle this difficulty upon strict peace basis. No one
ever believed that would get the consequential dam
ages and, taking into account the stubborness OF the
British nation, believe we have done exceedingly We'll
A. A. Low-I cannot speak the popular side Of this
question. believe that all difficulties between nations
should be settled without compromise of honor am
opposed to this resolution, first because believe that
the question of the Treaty is in good hands when in the
care Of the Administration and the Senate. Second,
while it is interests merchants 10 nave these
claims settled, opposed TO these resolutions Tor the
that they the result of threat from the Brsh
nation That sne Will not adnere 10
American basis. The Government may have erred, but
the great Of the press Of the country will cry out
against II il this remedy is resorted to. For one
would rather the Treaty go to the winds than see
our country Inundated. fear there is too much re-
traction Our Government is not the SHINING party.
would rather forego all the direct damages than our
honor.
Mr.. LOw-May ask If the Senate has asked for the
expression OF the Chamber upon this subject2
President DOdge-I not prepared to state, but am
confident that the Senate would be grateful for an
opinion from the merchants OF New-York."
The resolutions then adopted with only one dis
senting voice. Mr.. Morton Of Morton, Bliss Co. offered
the following
To the Honorable he Senate Of the United States, Wash
fngton, d. o. The Undersigned, citizens OF New-York,
while they would not urge anything which the Govern
ment the United States cannot honoraby accept de-
sire TO express their profound conviction irrespective OF
party that present interests and prospective welfare
OF the country demand additional article TO the
Treaty Washington which will prevent both the GOV
Of Britain and that OF the United states
from presenting any claims for consequential damages
which might arise when one is belligerent and the
other a neutral.
T. D. Morgan Co., Matland Phelps 4 Cop
Morton & Co.. Brow Brothers a. Co.,
Jay Cooke & Co.. Barlow, Laroqne l. Co,
J. J. L John j. Cisco X CO..
VIM. II. Fogg g. Co. Cyrus W. Field,
Geo. OPdyke Co., sponod Bros x 20.