Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-13
Spectator.
195eSdGy. Eebras09'y 10, 1872.
W ar Cloud.

War Cloud.
Since the treaty Of Washington between the
British Government and the United States,
agreeing TO submit to arbitration the settlement
Of the claims of the latter against the former
for damages inflicted by the Confederate priva-
teer Alabama and other vessels, concluded
last May and ratified and exchanged on the
18th of june last, the relations between these
Governments have been as peaceful and calm
as painted ship upon painted ocean"
But, in the language of Byron, ''the sky is
changed, and what change!
Some affect to discern the cloud Of war dark
ening the horizon, and bellicose voices are
heard in the press and Legislative bodies of both
countries
''Behold what great matter little fire
kindleth."
A few words Of the Queen. in her address
to the British Parliament, on Tuesday last,
caused this unexpected commotion. In refer
ence to the Treaty Of Washington, she said:
1.-THE arbitrators appointed, pursuant to the
Treaty of Washington, for the purpose of AMIGA
bly, settling the Alabama claims held their first
meeting in Geneva Gases were laid before the
arbitrators on behalf of each party to the treaty
claims are included, which are understood on my
part not to be within the province of the arbitra-
tors. On this subject have caused friendly
communication to be made to the Government
of the United States"
This it was and 'rothing more" This has
caused the great ocean of public feeling in both
of these friendly and English-speaking coun-
tries to be tempest tost,' and dashed into
fury. The ~ Y. Herald is specially bellicose,
and its voice is for war. 1t maintains, that We
have right to ask compensation for the burn
ing of our ships; for the loss of our commerce
in its transfer to other flags; for the advance
in the rates Of maritime insurance, occasioned
BY the acts of these English cruisers; for the
damage entailed upon US by the prolongation
of the war; for the sufferings and losses i'm
posed upon our merchant seamen by their cap
ture and the burning of their vessels; for the
sums We spent in pursuit of these English cruis-
ers and that upon these claims, if admitted
by the Geneva Conference, we have the right
to ask interest from July /, 1868.
Benjamin +. Butler is reported to have said
that the difficulty between the two countries is
very plain ons-that the United States pre-
sentcd case which it agreed not to present,
and England objects.
This war spirit, or rather gasconade, is in
duIred in Dy parties in both countries, with the
view Of advancing party interests and not with
any serious purpose of involving the two coun-
in war. This is, however, dangerous game,
Gnd may result more seriously than intended.
TIE Noyols Krgiaian Gays that, "the cues
ton Of war with England will not be enter
tanned BIZ the peorle Of the United States, ex-
cept under some great and specia! proyooation,
for they understand perfectly we'll that the &C
QUESTION of Canada would be very poor COM
pensation for the terrible losses we would sus-
tain. This is g plain, common sense view OF
the subject which will become fully apparent as
the discussion proceeds, but in the meantime
we are prepared to hear great deal OF wild
talk like that in which the New York Herald
INDUCES. This, however, is for commercial
purposes. That paper is wonderfully devoted
to sensations, and understands their market
value TO the fraction of cent but the ques-
ton Of war With Great Britain is not to be
decided by means of fippant paragrap hs threat
eniug losses in India, Irish independence,
or the annexation of Canada. Throwing out
the great question Of humanity. describing all
the considerations Of race aud tongue, and i'd
dressing ourselves to it as business matter, 1t
is manifest that the struggle would be ruinous,
and we do not believe the people of this coun-
try are ready to embark 10 great war without
more serious provocaton than has yet been Of
fered, or threatened BY Great Britain.