Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-02-17
GREAT BRlTAINS CASE
The Csss Of 6rsst Britain as It will 90
Before ths Geneva Commission.

LONDON, February l6.-The case
submitted to the Geneva board of ar
bitratiOn by the counsel of Great Bri-
tain, in regard to the Alabama claims,
has been laid before parliament, and
is published. The document is divi-
ded in ten parts. Part one remarks
that no definite or complete statement
| OF the American claims has ever been
furnished. The treaty of Washington
and previous correspondence will sup
ply, however, q general definition
of the demunds made by the Uni
ted States. Rule 2 of article
of the treaty Of Washington is
quoted as follows: "a neutral gov.
eminent is bound not to permit or
suffer either belligerent to make use of
its ports or waters IS a base Of naval
operations against the other, or for
the purpose of a renewal or augmen-
tatiOn OF military supplies or arms or
recruitment of men," This rule is
interpreted as prohibiting q supply OF
war vessels from neutral ports, but is
not prOhibitOry Oi the sale OF arms
or munitions of war in the ordi-
nary course OF commerce. The
claims submitted are fer damages
growing out of the acts of vessels re-
specting which the United States al
leges that Great Britain failed in her
international dnty. The tribunal
must determine the question of the
failure OF duty. II Ii decided that
there has been such q failure, then it
must award the gross sum for dam.
ages, or define limit of liability for
the guidance of assessors of said dam
ages.
The circumstances OF the sailing of
the steamers Alabama, Florida, GeOr-
gia and Shenandoah were materially
dissimilar, but Great Britain main
tsins that in respect to none Of them
has she failed OF her international OBJ
legations or rendered herself justly IL
able.
Part two gives q history of the civil
war IN the United States, showing
that the course Of England and the
maritime powers was one of vigilant
and RcrnpulOus neutrality.
Part three makes g statement Of In
teruatiOnal rights and duties, Of the
laws of England bearing thereon and
of the fact of the full performance and
execution thereof by Great Britain
during the war. 1t also gives de-
tailed account of the action OF Minis
ter Adams and Earl Russell to pre-
vent the departure Of rebel cruisers.
Part four shows the limits OF the
power possessed by the British gov
ernment to prevent such departures. |
Parts five, six, seven and eight re.
present In detail the facts |
in relation TO the steamers Florida,
Alabama, Georgia and Shenandoah.
Part ninth sets forth that the steam |
ara Georgia and Shenandoah were
never equipped fog war In British do |
minions. Her Majesty's government |
was only informed respecting these |
vessels after their departure. The |
Alabama and Florida, even, did not |
receive their armaments in British |
The peculiar circum-
stances Of the Alabama's escape are |
recited, and England's vigilant en-
deavors to prevent her sailing, as
well as the failure In the attempt 70 |
capture her, are insisted on.
Part ten complains Of the disad-
Vantages under which Great Britain |
IsOors IN meeting an unpresented /
case. Inc dacument concludes as /
follows; "While England regrets the |
departure of the rebel cruisers from /
her ports she cannot aeknoWledge the /
jestice OF the claims against her for |
the pecuniary damage Of their acts.
The United States must solidly estab-
lish the fact Of EDgland's negligence.
is ready to accept the award |
of the tribunal Of arbitratiOe, whether |
favorable or unfavoTable. She desires |
only that il shall be just.