Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-22
if they are insufficient 1t admits that repair

If they are insufficient. 1t admits that repair
alton 10 due for an appreciable injury result
ing from a~clear violation Of international
duty, but 10 unable to attach distinct meaning
to some of the twelve propositions OF the
American Case, and demurs to the exception
ally rigorous application made OF these pro-
positions to England. 1t urges that, at the
time of the Confederate war, the mere sale
and delivery OF a vessel adapted for war, to
belligerent was not violation Of neutrality:
nevertheless, on this point it accepts the rules
Of the Treaty of Washington, not with the
overstrained construction put upon them by
the Government of the United States, but
according to their obvious purport. 1t re-
grets that the United States should see
ut to strain the Interpretation Of these rules
to the uttermost, instead of accepting them
in a fair and reasonable sense. Itargucs that
England was bound to receive the Alabama
as she would a vessel of war of any sover-
eign State, and concludes by quoting from
Ortolan, the eminent French authority on in
ternal law, to show that the principles for
which the United States contend were never
he etofore seriously asserted or recognized
in Europe or America.
Part III. treats of the prece dents adduced
in the American Case and replies thereto with
others, such as the fillibustering attacks of
Lopez on Cuba, and Walker on Mexico and
Canada. History on this subject is the his
tory of unlawful enterprises originating In
America with American citizens. American
privateers have, from time to time, harrassed
England, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Central
America. Cuba and Canada.
Part Nv. considers the various complaints
made Of the traffic in munitions of war with
the South, blockade running by British
ships, &c.
Part v. gives the history of the cruisers
Sumpter and Nashville; complains OF being
required to meet demands in regard to which
the sole difficulty Is to treat them as serious.
Part vi. gives an account of the Florida
and Alabama, with the details of their escape.
1t seeks to show that the time which elapsed
between Mr.. Adams's application and the
| Alabama's departure was too short to justify
the charge of negligence, and claims that in
this respect England cannot be charged with
any failure of duty.
| Part VII. is devoted to the history of the
Shenandoah and Georgia.
Part VIII. relates to the other vessels and
repudiates the responsibility of Great Britain
| for their depredations.
Part TX. treats of the reception Of Rebel
cruisers in British ports, and seeks to de.
fend the conduct of Great Britain by com.
| pairing it with that of other nations.
Part x, after recapitulating the facts anG
arguments OF the preceding parts, declares
the claim for interest on the damages awarded
from July l, 1868, untenable. The losse.
which the Arbitrators may take into accoun,
are, at the utmost, those directly arising from
the capture and destruction of ships and
property
| After describing the situation of anxiety and
| insecurity in which neutrals would be placed
| in time of war, should the doctrines present
| ed in the American Case as to their duties
prevail, the counter case concludes with the
expression of a hope that frank, open state
ment of facts will efectually remove every
misunderstanding between nations allied by
| innumerable ties.