The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-09
The British "Case.n

The British cease"
We present in another part of the paper
the arguments put forward by the British
government to the arbitrators at Geneva In
support of its immunity from the payment
Of our claims. 1t is careful, cautious and
generalzing, and evidently prepared with
view of awaiting the appearance OF our
statement before taking decided ground
on the subject. The complete absence
Of reference to the consequential damages, as
they are called, shows at least that if England
had any doubt as to whether these indirect
claims" came within the scope of the treaty,
she was certainly resolved not to be the first
to open up so grave matter. But from many
inherent indications 1t would seem that the
British government cherished the belief that
this country had abandoned the most important
branch of its claims. This will appear from
the generally mild and apologetic tone in
which it brings forth its arguments with a
selfdepreciation not at all characteristic of
John Bull earnestly on the defensive. Gratifed
at the ratification of treaty which, fully and
faithfully carried out, would remove source OF
future fear that has caused her many misgiv-
ings since the triumphant close of our civil
war-namely, the destruction of her commerce
by privateers in case of war-she seems in
every carefully worded sentence of her cease"
to say, Eve will pay you the moderate
sum you will demand, which is a mere bag
atelle to us, we do not care to wrangle about
the cost of friendship" With this kept
strictly in view the careful diplomacy of
the ''case" can be accounted for, and on no
other grounds. The cease" is simply plea in
abatement of judgment which it seems to
anticipate being decided against her. 1t
processes a sincere desire for peace,
and declares itself ready to accept the
award of the tribunal, whether favorable
or unfavorable. Read by the side of
Premier Gladstone's bitter and insulting char
acterization of our tease" it shows how Eng
lands traditional insincerity proclaims the
hollowness of her professions of friendship.
So long as the treaty was cheap insurance
on her shipping and commerce for all time
to come she was content to balance our
terrible losses with expressions of lip regret.
Now that the rate of insurance on her COM
mercial future seems likely to run as high as
our marine policies ran when her pirates were
abroad during the war, the naughty head
that lay bowling its regrets to the dust
brstles up with the rage of bully discovered
in humiliating hypocrisy. More than ever,
in face of the circumstances as daily devel-
oping must our case be maintained in it's
integrity. The treaty was of their ask
ing; our case is clearly within its provisions;
in their case they record their willingness to
abide by the result of the arbitration, and it is
our plain duty to hold them to it. The clamor
that England now raises, 'like very drab,
her heart with curses, is pro-
badly of a piece with the demurrer
that will follow on the English side, if the ar
bitration is allowed to proceed. IT. however,
the treaty is thrown overheard, it will not
surprise us go much as the result of leaving
the question for future day to settle will as
tonish them.