Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-27
THE WASHINGTON TREATY.
Grants Notifications Considered in n
Secret Session OF Nine Hours.
The Vote Reported TO Stand Forty for
and Nine Against, Schurz
Voting Yea.

WASHINGTON, May 26.-The indorse-
ment by the Senate of an additional
article to the Treaty of Washington was
governed by a strong desire, in which
the President shared, to relieve the diff
| ference which threatened the prosecu-
| ton of arbitration under the same treaty
which, while ago, the same Senate so
emphatically ratified, and which was
designed to settle in an amicable man
ner all causes of difference between the
| United States and Great Britain. 1t is
| known from official and private adYices
that Great Britain had determined to
withdraw from the arbitration should
| the Unite d States persist in the present.
alton of claims for indirect damages,
and il is further known that the United
| States was for some time, under these
| circumstances, disposed to throw the re-
sponsibility of the threatened welfare of
the treaty on Great Britain, our govern
ment insisting that it had right to
present those claims with the Others be-
fore the tribunal, in order that the
principle involved might be settled,
although not expecting to receive
monied consideration. Great Britain,
with its view of the case, was disposed
to throw the responsibility of the failure
of the arbitration on the United States.
The vote taken last night in the Senate
is regarded as expressing the views of
large majority of the Senate against the
claim for indirect damages, in view of
like admission ON the part of Great
Britain against the United States in
future contingency and under circum-
stances similar to those on which the
Objectionable class of claims originated.
nrlr al -
ready, by the Secretary of State, taken
measures through the Atlantic cable to
procure the assent of the British Gov
ernment to the articles as amended by
the Senate, with the view of putting in
treaty form a declaration against indi-
rect damages, which the United States
has now abandoned, and which Great
Britain asserts she lever claimed for her
self as against other powers. During the
consideration of the subjectin Executive
session, it was thought at times that the
article would fail of receiving the requis-i
itetwO-thirds vote, owing TO cOntrariety of
the views presented, not less than six
amendments were offered to effect the
desired end. Conflicting reports prevail
as to the vote advising and cOnsenting to
the Presidents negotiating a treaty on
the proposed basis, but forty against nine
seems to be the most reliable statement.
A number of Senators, though present,
did not vote. The article, as indorsed,
is changed in phraseOlogy from the orig
inal, though preserving the principle
sought to be abolished by the two gov
ernments with regard to consequential
damages. The precise language of the
article will not be officially made known
until il shall have been ratified; and il
is certain that if the double Injunction of
secresy imposed on Senators shall be re-
spected by all, then it cannot be known
through that source. Although many
Senators, last night, declined to giYeany
hint, and even refused to converse on
the subject, the result of the action of
the Senate was known by those whose
business it was to seek for information
within an hour after that body had ter
minated its nine hours continuous session
with doors closed and guarded, and |
other precautions, to prevent unauthOr |
lied disclosures. 1t is believed that Great |
Britain will assent to the modification |
of the article, as she now, with the |
United States, is anxious for the tribunal /
of arbitration to proceed without further |
hindrance.
According to report, the debate ON the !
subject before the Senate was earnest 1
a majority of those who |
participated in it being Influenced by a |
desire to- remove the distractions in a l
way that would preserve the national /
while few others were infiexi-
ble in their opposition, as if assent to the
waiving Of claims for indirect damages
would be lowering the American flag to \
the dust and allowing the British to
walk over it.
The subject will next come before the
Senate on the ratification of the article,
the Senate having concluded the inter-
rogatiOn of its members regarding care /
in preventing their copies of secret cor
and the proposed article /
from reaching outside parties. 1t may
now prosecute the investigation concern
ing the publication of the document, !
with a view TO emphatic action and |
promises. Senator Schurz voted "aye''
on the bill.