The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-02-24

The English Press and Governme
opposed TO the American Claims for
consequential Damages.

The English Press and Government
opposed to the American Claims for
Consequential Damages.
Trouble has suddenly and rather I'M
expectedly grown out the Alabama
question before the Geneva arbitrators.
IN consequence of the claim put in by
the United States for indirect damages.
The leading London journals criticise
the American case with great severity
and urge upon the Government to de-
clare It's opinion in regard to the de,
mand for Indirect damages. The Queen,
III her speech upon the assembling of
the House of Commons, used the fol-
lowing language in referring to the case
presented by the United States: "In
the case to be so submitted by America,
large claims were included, which were
understood on my part not to be within
the province of the arbitrator. On this
subject l have caused friendly
communication to be made to the
government of the United States. ),
Referring to the above allusion, Disraeh
animadverteI at some length upon the
Treaty of Washington, for the faults of
which he blamed Foreign Secretary
Earl Granville and Premier Gladstone.
Gladstone, IN reply, said the govern
ment, while 1t is ready to explain every
thing IN connection with the
treaty, will not admit that it
has unwittingly made mistake.
The preposterous character of the
American demands, prove their absurd
lty, Tor they were such that no people
IN the last extremity of war or in the
lowest depths of national misfortune,
with the spirit of the people of England
IN their hearts, could ever submit to-
Mr.. Gladstone concluded by saying the
Government would maintain the DO.
sition it bad taken, firmly, though in a
friendly manner.
The denunciations of such papers as
the London Times, News and Telegraph
are severe and uucompromising.
The misunderstanding has caused
considerable excitement throughout
this country, particularly in Washing
ton. The English legation in Wash.
ington represent the situation in Eng
lang to be of the gravest character.
The Tory party, although represented
by Sir Stafford Northcote, of the Joint
High Commission, designs forcing the
Alabama question upon Parliament,
and compelling such vote as would
declare its want of confidence in the
Gladstone Ministry. The Gladstone
Ministry, III consequence, are seeking
an amendment of the case to parry the
assault of the Tories.
Secretary Fish does not think there
IS anything In the case, as submitted by
the American cOunselors, to produce SC
much excitement i'll England. The
objectionable points are open to coun-
try statements and arguments. after
which both sides are submitted to the
arbitrator for their decision. These
points may or may not be thrown out
by the arbitrator.
We clip from the New York World {
summary of the cease" which the
United States has presented for the
| consideration of the arbitrator. 1t viii
be seen that the third, fifth and seventh
clauses are those upon which England
| bases her sudden wrath:
L. For the destruction of vessels anC
property belonging to the Government
Of the United States, $25, 1000.
IL. For the destruction of merchan
vessels, cargoes and property sailing
under the flag of the United States
81, 900, 633.
Ill. For other damages or injuries Il
persons, growing out of the destruction
Of each class of these vessels.
/ In respect to this item the lease
says 1t is impossible at present for thu
United States to present a detailed
statement. but the amount Of the claim
| cannot no
sands, and possibly millions of dollars
on account OF hardy, helpless seamel
and their families.
". For national expenditures in tn,
| pursuit Of the cruisers, $7.0S0,47S.
V. For loss III the transfer of til,
American commercial marine to the
British flag.
In respect to this item the United
| States ask the arbitrators to estimate
the amount which ought to be paid tc
them, after we submit statistics il
respect to our tonnage before and after
the rebellion.
VI. For enhanced payments of in.
surance by citizens of the United
States, 50 far as now known, 81, 100, 795
| VII. For prolongation of a civil war
the addition of large sum to the cost
thereof, and of the suppression of the
rebellion.
As to this item, the United States
claim that after the battle of Gettybure
offensive operations by the insurgents
were conducted only at sea, through
the Anglo Confederate cruisers, with
the hope of involving this country in a
war with Great Britain, and that the
latter ought in equity to reimburse the
United States for the expense thereby
entailed upon them.
VIII. Interest upon all the claims UP
to the day when the award is payable
by the terms of the treaty, which is
twelve months after the date of the
award, at the usual rate of interest in
the city of New York, where most of
the claims of individuals are held,
which is seven per cent. per annum.
The United States claim that interest
should be computed from an average
day, say July l, 1868.
The effect of the misunderstanding
between the two countries has been
tC depress American securities in for
eign money markets, and causes a
slight advance In gold.