New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-06
TIE BRITISH ULTINdTUM


1t is evident, from the dispatches which come
to us from Washington and from London,
that we have reached a critical point Ill our
negotiations with England in regard to the
Geneva Conference. Only few days ago the
outgivings from our own State Department
were of the most satisfactory nature, and the
messages which the cable brought us resem-
bled in tone and purpOrt that first memorable
dispatch which brought through the sea It's
prayer for peace and good Will among
men, Our Government made seml-ollclaf'
announcement week ago that there was
little doubt that the arbitration would pro-
" coed in June next on mutual understanding,
honorable to both parties" and which 1t was
intimatcd would be permanently advantageous
to the United States. One day later, the prin-
cipal newspaper in England congratulated the
United States Government for proposing re-
striction of the responsibility of neutrals thus,
as it said paving the way for satisfactory
"settlement of the differences now existing
between England and America" 1t is true
that in the more elaborate memorandum
since given to the Press by the Department of
State, there was less certainty expressed of
favorable issue of the pending negotiations.
But the general impression until last Saturday
was that the arbitration was to go on, either
by the surrender Oh the part OF our Govern
ment of that portion of our Case which re-
ferred to indirect damages, or by compro-
mise through which the British Government were
10 bind themselves to acknowledge in future
narrower responsibility of neutrals in time of
war than they have heretofore insisted upon,
or than that upon which we had founded our
so-called indirect claims.
But the intelligence received to-day ndi-
Gates that unforeseen obstacles have arisen to
the consummatiOn of these hopes of speedy
reconciliation. We are informed from Wash
ington that the latest communications received
from London indicate that Her Majesty's Gov
eminent have misunderstood the attitude of
the President in this question. A dispatch by
cable states that The Times calls upon Prcsi-
dent Grant to send to the Geneva Tribunal
of Arbitration communication to superscde
our original Case. If the most recent indica-
tons are to be received as final the Treaty
seems now more than ever likely to fail by the
action of England.
The cause of this is not difficult to seek.
The Gladstone Ministry saw themselves threat
ened by a bold and energetic attack from the
Conservative benches, founded upon what
was considered our exOrbitant demands under
the Treaty. To defend themselves, they de-
MED that the Treaty was susceptible OF any
such construction as that which we placed
upon it, and pledged themselves not to allow
our claims to be submitted to the Board of
Arbitration. Earl Russell, seeing his oppOr
tunty, proposed an address to the Crown
calling upon the Queen to direct the suspen-
sion of all proceedings before the Board until
the United States should withdraw its claims
for indirect damages This motion has
not vet been brought to discussion and
vote. having been several times post
poned by the veteran dplomatist who
introduced it, who holds it in terrOrem
over the heads of his old colleagues, to be used
against them in case they show symptoms
of Welding to any solution of the difficulty
which shall not be an unconditional withdrawal
of the American Case. There is no question
whatever that the efforts of our Government
TO effect an amicable settlement have greatly
encouraged and stiffened the English spirit OF
resistance to our demands. At the first in
timaton of desire to come to an understand
ing, they assumed more uncomprOmising atti-
tude than before. The Times, which had
in the earlier stages of the discussion been
distinguished for the moderation and temper
with which it treated the matter as soon as it
began to be rimored that the Government of
the United States was about to make some
proposition of arrangement, began to advocate
in the strongest terms the immediate adoption
of Lord Russelps motion, expressly TO re6n-
force and define the English caveat entered at
Geneva, so as to prevent the Ministry from
making any compromise. Ii asserts that the
whole question must be settled at Washington;
that the ultimatum of England has long been
reached and intimates that the decision of the
United States will depend upon whether tho
attitude of England is sufficiently clear and az
gressive.
IL is to be surmiscd, from tho news we re-
ceive from Washington, that this is also the
position and the sentiment Of tho Ministry.
They appear to think their continuance in
power depends upon on unconditional sur