The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-02-05
Il STOUT ENGLISH PROTEST:
The Voice or the Saturday Review.

The startling report that the En- yllsh repre-
tative In the Geneva Conference Is 10 be I'M
medlately withdrawn, and that the Unit,
States may take their choice between a new
treaty and immediate war, is, without doubt,
q gross exaggeration of the truth. As 1t was
universally understood in England that, under
the provisions of the Treaty Of Washington,
no claim could be made for vindlctive or indi-
rect damages, deep astonlshment is caused by
the statement that the case for, the United
States, prepared by Mr.. Bancroft, covers
claims for damages which might amount to
fifteen hundred or two thousand million dol
lars. England Is firmly resolved not 10 SUBJ
init to these incredible demands, and the Cab
met may have had it under consideration
whether Chief Justice Cockburn should not at
onco withdraw from the Conference, If the
arbitratcrs were even to allow the discussion
Of any claim based upon the imaginary pro-
longatlon of the war; Beyond this, we a:e
satisfied, the Cabinet have not gone.
The following passage from leader In the
Saturday Review, of January 6, explain both
the demands Of the American agents and the
position OF the English Government:
ssThe American Government describes as
English cruisers, Issuing from English ports,
not only the Alabama, which, by an abuse Of
language, might be so designated, but the
Sumter, which was built and equipped within
Confederate Territory, and other vessels for
which the English Government could In no
way be responsible. The tribunal is asked to
Compensate the owners of the vessels and
cargoes which were destroyed, the shipown-
ers who trapsferred their ships into English
names, the insured who paid higher rates, and
the,iDsurance offices which covered increased
risks. The expenses of the American navy in
pursuing and watching the Confederate cruis-
ers are also to be reimbursed; and, finally, the
entire cost Of one or Two years of warts to be
paid, amounting perhaps to sic hundred mil.
.l,ons sterling. The tribute exacted from France
by Germany after a complete victory IS .fln9
compared aoith the damages ,ohich are de-
:rnanded By the United States In virtue Of
treaty which enthusiasts described as the
commencement of a new era of peace and
friendship, The most hostile and the most
scornful of Prince Blsmarck's communications
to the French Government are courteous and
friendly in comparison with the indictment
for which the President aud his Cabinet are
responsible. An Idle attempt has been made
to exonerate the American Government by
attributtng the unprecedented rudeness and
malignlty Of the attack to the counsel who
have been employed. 1t may be true that the
American agents have disgraced themselves,
but they have also compromised the character
of their country. In private litigation, q
plaintiff or defendant is properly regarded as
answerable for an unreasonable claim or re.
sistance to claim, aud for any untounded I'm
putation on the character of an adversary. A
defendant in an action for libel who repeat!
the obnoxious charge through his counsel Ii
always understood to take the risk of increased
damages in the event of an adverse verdict