Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-13
FOREIGN.
Alabama Fever in British Parliament
GREAT BRITAIN.
POstpOnins the Alabama Row.

LONDON, April 12.-The Times in an ar
ticle on the Alabama claims controversy
says the British Government will deliver its
counter Case-at Geneva on the 18th inst.
but will not regard this act as prejudicial
to its position of opposition to the Ameri-
can claim for indirect damages. If the
United States shall not, before the tribunal
is ready with its award, have abandoned
the claim for consequential damages, then
Great Britain will withdraw her ratification
of the treaty of Washington.
In the Commons.
In the House of Commons this eveniDT
RathbOne, memberl from Liverpool, asked
whether the Government had sent or in
tended to send its counter case respecting
the Alabama claims to the Geneva Board
Gladstone replied that the case had been
prepared and dispatched to Geneva. Touch
ing the contents of the documents he would
say there was nothing relative to the claims
for indirect damages. A note accompanied
the case containing a declaration on the
part of the Government for the purpose OF
reserving all rights appertaining to the
Queen in this arbitration. So in future the
Government would not be fetteTed by
any implied compromise. Schenck, the
American Minister, had been duly inform
ed of the course taFen and had mott fed
Lord Granville that there was no objection
to it on his part. The American counter
case would be presented to the Geneva
tribunal without prejudice to the rights OF
either party. Schenck has since informed
Lord Granville that the Government Of the
United States cOncuTred in the view that
presentation Of the counter case would not
affect the position assumed by Great Britain
on the question of indirect claims.
Disraeli wanted to have the papers pro-
duced, and asked whether Lord Chief JUS
tice COckburn was to resume his duties as
a member of the Geneva Board.
To the latter question Gladstone replied
affirnatively. He promised that the British
counter case would be laid before Parlia-
ment at an early day. He praised the
House and people Of England for their for
bearance, and the people and Congress of
the United States for retaining from at
tempts to embarrass the question. The
last note which was sent to Washington
had not yet been answered. When re-
ply was received no one would be more
willing to make the House completely ac-
quainted with the details of the negOtia-
tons than himself.
Mr.. Disraeli said he wanted to impress
on the government the fact that the coun-
try was DESTROYS ST clear understanding Of
the conditions under which the govern
ment sent its counter case to Geneva.
This very act admitted on the surface the
the Justice of the American claim for in
direct damages.
Mr.. Gladstone made no further reply but
again promised that the documents would
be speedily forthcoming.
Among the Lords.
Earl Granville, in the House of Lords to-
tonight, made replies in substance the
same as Gladstone's, to questions put by
Lord Stanhope. Care had been taken, he
said, TO so frame the counter case and the
ACCOMPANYING documents as to leave Great
Britain the right to withdraw from the ar
btration, should the differences on the sub
iect of indirect damages not be settled.
Earl Russell thought the Government
had failed to escape from the difficulty. He
declared that they ought not, under any
circumstances, consent to consider an atom
Of the claims for indirect losses. Lord
Russell then gave notice that on the 22d
inst, he should bring in a motion for an
address TO the Qneen, praying chat instruc-
tons be given that all proceedings before
the arbitrator at Geneva be'suspended until
the United States withdraw their claims
for indirect damages.
The Duke of Richmond wanted TO have
an understanding so there would be no
possibility of the arbitrator saying to Eug-
land, You complied with the treaty, you
entered your counter case; therefore we
shall proceed to 4 decision.
Granville suggested that whether the cOun-
ter case was presented or not the abitrators
might 90 on with the business of arbitra-
ton.
Lord Westbuiy wanted the jurisdiction
of the Geneva tribunal determined.
Granville reiterated that he had been care
full TO put the point so that Englann would
not be compromised in the matter Ofindi-
rect claims and that the United States Gov
eminent had signifed its agreement to this
understanding.
Marquis of Salisbury regretted that the
Government had abandoned the last chance
of protesting against the exercise by the
Geneva Board of jurisdiction over the in
direct claims, because the arbitrator might
award a lump sum without specifications.
The Duke of Somerset said the govern
ment's course seriously imperiled the cOun-
try's position. The Government should
have refused to present its counter case until
the claims for indirect damages were with
drawn. This he declared was the inten-
ton Of the nation.
Lord Pensance gathered from what
Earl Granville had said, that the govern
ment was free to withdraw from the arbi-
tration, if the reply of the American gov
eminent to the noble Lords last note per
sisted in the determination to present lndl-
rect claims. This, Lord Pensance con-
was sufficient.
After remarks by Lords Dennan ana
Colonzay the discussion ceased.
In the House of Commons later in the
evening Sir Wilfred Lawson, member for
Carlisle, moved to address the Crown pray
inc that measures may be taken for the
withdrawal of Great Britain from any treaty
binding her to interfere with other nations