Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-19
The Alabama Claims.
synopsis of England. CONNER Case.

LONDON, April 1S.-The following is a synop-
sis of the counter case presented at Geneva by
the agent on the part Of Great Britain:
Part first begins by announcing that to the
American imputatiOns Of hostile motives and
inSincere neutrality no reply whatever will be
offered, England distinctly refuses TO enter into
discussion OF those insinuatOnS; because it
would be inconsistent with her selfrespect, IT.
relevant TO the main issue, and tend to indame
the controversy. England's governing desire is
10 fulfill and even exceed her international du
ties; nor will any reference be made to claims
for indirect damages, as correspondence
with regard 10 them is pending be-
tween England and the United States England
assumes that the claims are limited to the losses
occaSioued by the Florida, Alabama, Georgia
and Shenandoah; but does not object to the
introduction of the names of nine other rebel
cruisers added to the list by the American case.
She calls attention TO the fact that of these
vessels had previously been mentioned No
award is possible for the depredatons of the
Boston and Salle, which are in the list, but are
not mentioned elsewhere in the case of the
United States; and wereiprObably inadvertently
included The board of arbitration is reminded
/ that its conclusions must be formed on proofs
not allegations; and the evidence must he silted.
The statements of American consulS are cred
ible when made with regard to facts with
in their personal knowledge, but they are
unreliable when dealing with rumOrS. The con-
sulS of the American government, Jealous TO in
discretion, showed the rrtability generated by
the war; and erroneous views throughout the
struggle Colored their reports. England rejects
rs evidence the papers captured on the Rich
mOnd, their authors being unknown.
Part two deals with the American argument
| 1t disputes the proposition that neutral power
| is bound at the request of a belligerent to en-
force its municipal laws and add to them if they
| are insufficient. 1t admits that reparation is
| due for an appreciate injury resulting from
clear violation o. International duty; but is I'M
| able TO attach distinct meaning to some Of the
| twelve propositions Of the American case, and
| demurs to the exceptionally vigorous applica-
| ton made Of these propositions to England; it
| urges that at the time Of the confederate war
| the mere sale and delivery Of vessel adapted
| for war to a belligerent was not u violation Of
neutrality; nevertheless, on this point it accepts
| the rules of the treaty of NOshngton-not with
| the oyerstrained construction put upon them by
| the government OF the United States; but ac-
| cording to their obvious purpOrt. Ii regrets
| that the United States should see fit to strain
| the Interpretation Of these rules to the utter
| most instead OF accepting them in fair
| and reasonable sense 1t argues that England
| was bound to receive the Alabama as she would
| vessel Of war of any sovereign state, and con-
| cludeS by quoting from Ortolan, the eminent
| French authority on international Law, to show
| that the principles for which the United States
contend were never heretofore seriously asserted
| or recognized in Europe or America
Part three treats OF the preCedents adduced in
| the American case, and replies thereto with
| others, such as the tilihusrering attacks OF
| Lopez on Cuba and Walker on Mexico and Cen
| trail America, and the Fenian raids on Canada.
| History on this subject is the history of unlaw-
| lul enterprises originating in America and with
| American citizens. American prydteers have,
| from time TO time, harasscd England, Spain
Portugal, Mexico, Central America, Cuba and
| Canada
Part four considers the various complaints
made of traffic in munitions OF war with the
| south; blockade running lay British Ships &c.
| Part five gives the history of the cruisers
| Sumter and Nashville; complains of being re-
| quifed to meet demands in regard to which the
| sole difficulty is to treat them as serious
Part six gives an account of the Florida and
| Alabama, with details of their escape. 1t seeks
| TO show that the time which elapsed between
| Mr.. Adams application and the Alabama's de-
| parture was too short to justify charge of neg
| ligence; and claims that in this respect England
| cannot be charged with any failure of duty.
Part seven is devoted to a history of the She
nandOah and Georgia.
Part eight relates to other vessels, and repudi.
ates the responsibility of Great Britain for their
| deprcdations.
Part nine treats Ofthe reception of rebel cruis-
ers in British ports, and seeks to defend the con-
| duct of Great Britain by comparing it with that
| of other nations.
Part ten, after recapituating the facts and
| arguments of the preceding parts, declares the
| claim for interest on the damages, awarded from
July 1, 1868, untenable. The losses which the
| arbitrators may take into account are at the
utmost those directly arising from the capture
and destruction of ships and property.
After describing the situation of anxiety and
insecurity in which neutrals would be placed in
time Of war, should the doctrines presented in
the American case as to their duties prevail, the
counter case concludes with an expression of
hope that frank, open statement OF facts will
| efiectually remove every misunderstanding be-
tween the nations, which are allied by innumer
able ties.
The London Times describes the British
| counter case as conceived in II grave and states.
manike spirit, while the American case reads
| like an advocates speech to jury in trial for
| assault and battery. England's reply is like
| the utt rance of a judge. The Telegraph says
| Americans studying with impartiallty our coun-
| ter case will fiGd reason TO fear, not only for
their indirect claims, but for something more.
| Instance upon instance of overstatement and
| inconsistency is brought against them, until
| their great fabric Of laboriouS ingenuity trem-
| bles to its foundation. None Of the other
| city journals have articles on the subject.