Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-29

THE INDIRECT CLAIMS QUESTION SETTLED.
The queStionings and debatings, at Geneva,
relative to the American claim for indirect
damages, were finally brought to conclusion,
last Thursday. The settlement is complete and
final; and the result, we are told, is precisely
what it would have been if England had not
raised such storm of criticism, complaint, and
controversy. The claim is ruled out; but our
government has secured what it sought, udg-
ment of the ar5trators on it, and rule which
must govern all cases of claims for indirect
damages, hereafter. The judgment Of the arb-
traitors is reported as follows:-
"The tribunal of arbitration has stated in
effect that claims Of tue exact nature of those
presented BY the United States could not be adj
mtted to competition by argument as a subject
for damages between two nations; the United
States sustains the responsibility of bringing
these claims before the court and receiving
Judgment upon them; England gains the point
of having them solemnly ruled out; the United
States formally accepts this judgment as the
valid and unimpeachable opinion OF a court Of
arbitration fully possessed of correct knowl-
edge of the whole subject; whereupon the Brit
ish agents formally filed the British argument in
court"
Both parties acquiesce in this decision. 1t is
accepted as a satisfactory settlement of the
controversy. The English threatened to break
up the arbitration, if the claim should not be
Withdrawn from the arbiirators. 1t was not
Withdrawn; the arbitrators have considered and
judged it. But the English instead of "break-
Ing things" withdrew their demand for long
adjournment, put in their whole case, and the
arbitration goes on. There is sunshine at
Geneva, and no longer any sign of thunder
storm. In this country there will be general
satisfaction, although the quiet on the sub
ject here has nearly approached indifference.
How they take it in England is shown in re-
port of talks in parliament, Thursday after
noon, when the result was announced in both
houses. Here is an account of it:
IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
Earl Granville stated that he had Just re-
ceiyed telegram from Geneva, which an.
nounced that the tribunal Of arbitration had set
tied the disputed question, and no longer desired
secrecy during its deliberations. He then made
the following statement:
-, The board Of arbitration, under the treaty of
w hshlngion, met at Geneva on the 18th inst
Inc agent OF the United States presented a print.
ca argument referring to the points whereon his
government relied. The English agent present.
ca no argument, but made statement that
whereas differences still existed between the t,yo
governments, England asked for an adjourn.
ment OF the board. The United states aSept
was unable 10 answer and the tribunal adionrn.
cd until the 18th and again until the 18Th. the
second time because the American representa-.
tiyes were still without Instructions Al The
meeting on the 10Th inst, the arbtrators made A
statement ON the questions at issue between the
two governments, carefully guarding themselves
The purport Of their statement is that after care
inl perusal Of everything said by the representa-.
tiyes Of the United states touching the indirect
claims. the arbitrator have, individually and
collectively, con luded that the said indirect
| claims do not constitute, upon principles of in
| ternati0nal law, good foundation for awards
Of damages between nations, and should be
wholly excluded from consideration, and would
have been, even II no disagreement had arisen
as TO the competency Of the tribunal TO decide
thereon. The arbitrator informed the agents
OF both governments Of their decision, They