Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-05-14
WORCESTER.
TTEsnAr. MAJ I4. Is7s.
m. Trea,, Via, be saved.


ION. the conference at Geneva is likely to 90 on
to satisfactory conclusion Ihere VIII DC d
settlement of the dispute about consequential
damages, and the question 1t involves VIII go TO
,be conference in the form of an additional arti-
Gle oe the treaty. All our government seeks by
the claim for indirect damages, will be gained,
and the treaty will be saved, A special dispatch
from Washington states that all hope of saving
the treaty had been given up, because it was be-
lieyed that Great Britain would not allow the
question 10 go TO the convention in any form;
but dispatch from General Schenck, received
in Washington last Saturday, announces that
the British government will change its position
so far as 10 propose an additional article to the
treaty, without demanding formal withdrawal
of our claim for indirect damages This addi-
tional article will express a mutual understand
ing of the two governments in regard to this
claim, and secure such au affirmation of interna-
tional law on the subject as our government re-
Quires The special dispatch says;
''This new article, it is understood, viii set
forth these facts and propositions, viz, that,
whereas the government OF Great Britain holds
not referred 10 tine Geneva tribunal for arbitra-
ton, and whereas the government of the United
States holds directly the reverse, and whereas
both governments are agreed as to the manner in
which the principle involved shall be settled,
therefore this new article, which declares that
hereafter neither nation shall make any claims
upon the other for consequential damages, be-
cause Of any failure on the part OF either to OBJ
serve strict neutrality, when the other is a bel
lgerent, is proposed to be held as such settle
ment in accordance with the MISUNDERSTOOD
desire of the two governments"
This additional article must, of course, be
submitted to the senate for ratification. We
can not doubt that it will be ratified; but some
ofthe senators may not now treat the matter
with as much candor as heretofore. Some Of
the democratic Journals show a disposition tc
drop candor and do all they can to misrepresenl
the actual state of the case, incite prejudice
and make political capital out Of the matter.
This is notably true of the New York World,
which, heretofore, has sought to be candid in
its treatment of this and some other questions
relating 10 the foreign business of our govern
ment. The peryersity of partizan constraint
now changes its tone. 1t must, if pos
sible, inJure President Grant, for the
presidential election is approaching. There
fore, it has shown itself ready to curse
the president for the failure of the treaty,
Orto curse him for savingit, as the case may re-
quire. But its course will be understood and
properly appreciated, Ii the reports from
Washington are true, the treaty can be saved
on terms that are Just and honorable; and, we
think, the question is so important the senate
will not vote against ratifying the proposed new
article. settlement of our disputes with Grea
Britain is earnestly desired in both countries
Those who shall now make themselves response
BILE for failure of the treaty, will be guilty o
something a great deal worse than folly.