New-York tribune., 1872-02-27
THE BRITISH CASE.

ENGLAND's DEFENSE-TUE BRITISH VIEW OF
TIE ALABAMA QUEsTION-FokClBLE AFfEAL
To TIE TRIBUNAL OF ARBITRATIoN-CoM-
PROMISING REFERENCES TO THE INDIRECT
CLAIMS,
Below are presented the leading features Of
Tho British Case submitted to the Arbrators at Geneva
and which Is invested with special interest since England
has protested against the provisions Of onr own INC
document r. divided into ten parts, and has an apehuN
farming four volumes The ten parts OF the Case proper
ne devoted 10 a history OF the events which ac-
eorppaplcd and followed the outbreak OF CIVIL
war in the United States and present III
detan the f1cts relative 70 the Rebel cruisers inc
.upepdix contains the correspondence and public oocu
rpts bearing on the question at issue. The ninth part
,hcb contains summary OF the question submitted 10
the Arbtrators and Of the facts included in the Bsh
Case has many important statements. This part b"ns
Nv onotin the rules laid down in the Treaty oI the
guidance Of the Arbitrators, and 1t then says;
In fart the tribunal is therefore TO determine TINS
onestion Has the British Government, as neutral
failed perform an international dny such t az ig , III
sEn.i n the reply in the Affirmative the tribunal VIII
then formulate Judgment on me event. eAten 81 n, % yie 70
perform duty: and viii adjqdge lump sum m ~, 10 sat sat
ticuIar vessel the limits OF r6sponsl2y Ior the guu
suce Of tine The claims Miich may be pre-
tnted 10 tribunal and which WIN nave oly 20 h CUi
cSrn itself with claims growing out OF acts enen
there were committed 10y these Ne--el II lehau " W
which IL viii have been proved that duty mas not Deeh
fulfilled.
This summary Of facts is devoted to the oittod story
Of the fitting out OF the Rebel cruisers and Their his
tory generally narrated from the British point of view
1t concludes by asserting that the British Government
fulalled in all respects its international duties. The
"Couclusion ." which forms the most important part OF
The case and briefly embodies oil that is argued in it, is
A. follows being translated from the French, IN which
Language II was presented TO the Geneva Tribunal:
The Government Of Her Britannia Majesty In order
"a inform he Arbraors has given statement Of the
principal facts which it believes essential in the
intcrs Of Just decision upon the claims made by the
Tinted states In this statement Her Maiestys Govern
Ineut had 20 contend against an unavoidable dlsad
vautage has had 10 reply TO al argument not YET SUD
mtted. when that shall have been presented and the
claims OF te United etates shal oo %
Her Majesty s Government VIII exercise me Tgnt con
fcred by Article ~ of the Treaty TO submit 70 the
tribunal an additional or more extended statement Of
facts as the case may exact Until the comparison OF
the cases presented by both parties, shall determine the
Il will refrain from all discussion intended TO sustain its
own position and will limit itself at present, to submit
ting 10 the Judgment Of the tribunal the following con
As the ships whatever may be the circumstances were
procured In British ports FOR purposes, and
sat- while Great Britain herself remained neutraD
these events have been Of dpeasure and regret
O. the Government Of Her Britannia Majesty This re-
gret despite the following facts, which, II must be
conceded important to arrive at just appreciation
OF the question The vessels procured by cunning
and clandestine means which baied the vigilance OF
ment some had been constructed ordinary merchant
specially for In number they very SMALL and
finally, the persons who obtained possession and
control OF them, and employed them for bellig-
erent purposes we're themselves American citi-
Erns, which the United states Government has
always admitted. such facts should seriously
affect in the mind Of every impartial man. the question
relative 10 the responsibility Of Deutral Government.
II s no less true that the acts themselves being Of such
schaIscter that ihey were committed by sneutra Coy
neutrality must tend inevitably trouble In the
relations with the beligerent against whom they
directed. Accordingly. Her Maiesy's Government
hesitated to testify frankly and openly It's regret to
The United States aud It has agreed give expression
90 that regret IN the Treaty concluded between the two
Powers.
But the United States Government processes TO have
right 20 peCuniary indemnity for the claims which IL
resulted from the acts Of these vessels that is
BSy the warke operations carried by Of these
II evident that pTeensiOn OF this nature is such that
Her Majestys Government, animated il is with the
most amlcabe sentiments toward the United States
could not IN virtue OF the respect IL owes 10 its own
rights and those Of neutral consent TO
admit since believes that is not founded justice
what u tthe L = 90 ernmenO processes 10 claim Is
matter CI absolute gh and such claim only he made
valid by establishing clearly that international Ob
CATION cue 20 the United states by Great Britain, had
been velated by her; and further, II should be demon
Hirated thit appieCiale injury resulted directly to the
hUnted STATES, by Of which Great Britain
flem poeuhary compensation. II dcYOlvcs consequently
the Lbtcd States 10 establish the propositions 1t
duhes upon hch they sed, and 20 demonstrate
tie violation . which 10 complains. charge against
tOv0eign Government OF having evinccd culpaOle neg
lpenae the exercise Of OF e powers Of sovereignty
A. anSuputateB which should tC sustained by strong
sOk reasOus Every sovereign Government asserts
the g Of beng lDdept Ddept Of bU supervision OF al
foreign i1teTWedduR IN the exercise OF these powers;
aud Il muHt be sshi ed that they arc exercised with
rood faith aud With reasonable cHgsXce, aud thai the
geininsrasn Of the laws - gs; and nfOrIu, 20 long
Ibis assuuptlOn II LJ set aside by PROOF TO the
possible 10 have peace ahd friendly relst2ns among
nations IL - iCeut T. indicate 10 delrODstTdie
HAT Cos IGlmeDt n exercising reasonable dAeTeu0n