New-York tribune., 1872-04-27
WASHINGTON.
THE INDIRECT CLAIMS.

lHE lNDthESI NiShiho'
POSITION OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OF LEADING NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or
PREPARATIONS FOR RETREAT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSBl
WASHINGTON, April 26.-The leading article In
TIE TRIBUNE, to-day, on the attitude OF the AL
ministratiOn in regard to the claims for lndirect
damages, coupled with tho fact that it is beneved
here that tho British Ministry will be Obliged 10
lay tho correspondence on the subject, ln-
cluding Secretary Fisl's last letter to Lord
Granville, which will reach London tomorrow
OF Sunday before Parliament. has caused consider
able stir among the diplomaists OF Washington this
afternoon and evening 1t has several days been
suspected that Mr.. Fish would attempt to save the
Treaty by giving the British Government private as
surances that the United States does not expect
or even desire that any award shall be made for our
indirect claims and it has before been limited that
his last letter to Granville contained something to
this effect. This suspicion has been strengthened by
chance remark dropped yesterday by one of the
best informed diplomatists in Washington. He said
that tho Administration would receive q severer
blow next week than any it has yet encountered
When asked what he meant, if he referred to Cincn-
natl, he replied:
mo- though will receive INJURIES from Cincinnati from
which 1t will not recover. But refer to the British
Parliament and claims for indirect damages. The
opposition there will be demand explanation
OF this matter from the ministry. The given the
last time was. that 1t would be improper to make
such explanation until an answer was received
to Gnnyiles note Of March &C. That will be in
their hands carly next week. and Gladstone and Gran
vile will be unable put OF the discussion any longer
Earl Russell will, Monday, introduce his motion for
address to The Crown for the suspension OF proceed
ings on the part Of Great Britain before the &C.
nova tribunal, until the United States withdraw
their claims for indirect damages and the Ministry in
self-defensc, will have 20 make public the contents OF
Mr. Fsh's last letter That letter will show a most alb
ject backing down OF the Administration from
and the United States will be in such huiating po-
ston, that the Administration which placed there
will scarcely recover the respect OF the people"
Another significant straw is the recent declaration
OF Cabinet officer, almost in the very words said
to have been II in Secretary Fish's dispatch to
Minister Schenck. He said that speaking for him
self and not as a member Of the Administration, he
believed that our Government had taken the only
course possible in presenting claims for indirect
damages in Case. At the same time, he hoped that
no award would be made on them. lie saw this having
in view especially the future interests of own land
Tho United States he sad 10 be the great neutral
nation Of the future and with our great extent OF coast
aud advenuresome people, 1t would be sorry day for
us rs nation when high tribunal like that at Geneva.
decided that neutral responsible for ndi-
rect damages arising from the acts OF
cruisers which escape from her shores. Tho few
millions which favorable award would bring lib now
would be dust in the balance when compared with tho
untold millions which, under such u rule, might be
called upon to pay future tIme 1t is believed
that other members OF Cabinet hold the views,
and that Secretary Fish has conveyed TO the British
Ministry the assurance that such Is the attitude OF our
Government.