The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-17
f Q K Il IG N
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH CASE.
Remarkable Instance of Loss of
a. Memory.


Geneva Board of Arbitration by the Counsel of
Great Britain in regard to the Alabama claims
was laid before Parliament and the published
document is divided into ten parts
Part first remarks that no definite or complete
statement of American claims has ever been
furnished. The treaty of Washington and
previous correspondence will supply however
general definition of the demand made by the
United States
Rule Of article s of the treaty of Washing
ton is quoted as follows:
"a neutral government is bound not to per-
init or suffer either belligerant to make use of
its forts or waters as base OF naval operations
against the other, or for the purpose of renewal
or augmentation of military supplies, or arms
or recruitment of men," This rule is inter
preted as prohibiting supply of war and wag-
ing vessels from neutral ports, but rs not pro-
hibitory of the sale of arms or munitions of
war in the ordinary course of commerce
The Claims submitted are for damages grow
ing out OF the ACTS of vessels, respecting which,
the United States allege that Great Britain
failed in International duty. The tribunal must
determine the question of the failure Of the du-
ty. If it decides there has been such failure
then it must award a sum for damages or de-
fine q limit of liability for the guidance of the
assessors of said damages, The circumstances
of the sailing of the Alabama, Florida. Georgia
and Shenandoah were materially dissimilar, but
Great Britain maintains that in respect to
none of them has she failed in her internation-
III OUllBdtlOHS ut tEtlutttu JUSTLY llaDle
Part second gives the history of the civil war
in the United States, showing that the course of
England and maratme powers was one of vigil
liant and scrupuious neutrality.
Part third makes statement Of International
rights and duties of the laws of England bear
ing thereon and the faithful performance and
execution thereof by Great Britain during the
war. 1t also gives detailed account of the ac-
ton of Minister Adams and Earl Russell to
pseyent the departure of rebel cruisers.
oh fI,nl
sessed by the British Government to prevent
such departures. s[
Pares 9Th, 9th, 18th and Sth respectively pre-
sent In detail the facts relative to the steamers
Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Shenandoah.
Part 9th sets forth that the steamers Georgia
and Shenandoah were never equipped for war
in British domiIiops Her Majesty's Govern
ment was only informed respecting these yes
sells after their departure. The Alabama and
Florida even did not receive their ornaments.
in British dominions. The peculiar circum-
stances of the Alabama's escape are recited
and England vigilant endeavors to prevent her
sailing, as well as Americas failure in her at
tempts to capture are insisted upon.
Part 10th COMPLAINS of the disadvantages I'M
der which Great Britain labers In meeting an
unprecedented case.
The document concludes as follows:-Whie
England regrets the departure of rebel cruis-
ers from her ports, she cannot acknowl-
edge the justice of the claims against her
III vic peculiarly udIiAyes |or tItlr aCtS.
The United States must soldly establish the
fact of England's negligence. England is ready
to accept the award of the tribunal of arbitra-
ton, whether favorable or unfavorable. She
desires only that IT shall be inst.
FRANCE,
THR UNITED STATES COUNSEL.
PARIS, Feb. 16.-Minister Washburne accom-
panied by Count Remusat, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, had an audience with Theirs to-day
and presented Messrs. Gushing, Evarts and
White, counsel for the United States before the
Geneva tribunal
.-H ASSEMBLY DIssENTIONs.
The right centre in the Assembly refuse to
coa!esce with the moderate right, and are pre-
pairing an independent programme of policy.
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST AN DIPERIALIsT.
Charles Etenne Coriti formerly private Sec
Rotary of the Emperor Napoleon, died on the
4th inst. in this city. His funeral was attend
ed by a large number of partizans of the ex-
Emperor, relations and personal friends of the
deceased. Among those following the remains
to the grave was M. Rouher.. AS the funeral
cortege approached the cemetery of Pere La
Chaise the carriage of Rouher was surrounded
by an angry and excited throng who stopped it
and made threatening demonstrations, crying,
"A has les Imperialists. The friends of Rouher
left their carriages and came to his assistance
Rouher finally escaped from his assailants amid
the cheers of the Imperalsts and the process
| sion was not again interrupted