The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-06


According to our latest kilograms from Eng
land the fever of the press there with regard
to the case of the United States on the ques-
ton of the so-called Alabama claims had
abated a little in its intensity. A HERALD
special telegram from London states that the
Queens reference to the subject in her
speech to Parliament to-day, will be
''short, friendly and general" The meeting
of Parliament to-day and the expected
moderate tone of the Queens address to
that body may have produced a change
in the London press. No doubt q great deal
that has been said by the newspapers was for
political effect touching the Cabinet, the oppo-
sition or the election of Speaker of the House
of Commons Still there is something more
than that at the bottom of this general assault
upon the United States and the ground our
government has taken in opening its case be-
fore the Geneva Conference. A great deal OF
the apparent indignation at the extent of the
sumed, probably, for the purpose of infu-
encing the Geneva Conference and the
government and people Of this country.
The writer's appear to be alarmed. at
the magnitude Of these claims and are
playing game of bluff. They are acting
the part Of special pleaders in the opening
Of the case, with Q view to intimidate
or otherwise influence the arbitrators and
to manufacture public opinion against the
claims Of the United States. Our Tombs law
yers do the same thing when intent on saving
some criminal from the penalty due to his crime.
However admissible such course may be in
4 criminal court, the justice or prudence of
It is questionable in great international diff
culties which are to be submitted for arbitra-
ton to high and impartial authority. This
effort to form public opinion in advance of the
action of the Geneva Conference is unfair, and
shows that the same selfish British disposition
which led to the destruction of the shipping of
maritime rival is actively at work to prevent
tho payment of just claims.
What do all the pretences and loud talk
about international comity and the desire to
maintain the most friendly relations between
''kindred nations" amount to in the face of
such an exhibition of unfairness and selfish
ness9 England is friendly enough when she
can have her own way and her interests are
not touched. But let any other nation ag-
! grieved or damaged by her conduct show that
she has done wrong and has the spirit and power
to demand compensation of her, and instantly
her pride and seldshness are aroused. It
used to be monarchical political
maxim that the king could do no wrong, and
the British have much the same opinion of
themselves in international difficulties. Even
when they accept plan to bridge over
difficulty with some powerful nation-and this
only occurs when they are afraid of the con-
sequences of resistance-they are always
prone to excessive egotism and unfairness
England first, England last and England all
along is their motto, whatever wrong they
may have done or however just claims against
them may be.
Nothing has been said in this TRADE of the
British press questioning the high character Of
the Geneva arbitrators, nor are any doubts
raised about anticipating an impartial decision
from them. Both the British and American gov
ernments have agreed in the Treaty of WASH
ington to submit the case of the claims to the
Conference, and to abide by the decision.
Each was at liberty to present it's side of the
case in the best light possible and it was to
be expected each would do 80. The English
are as capable of furnishing evidence and an
able argument as the Americans If our gov
eminent claims more than it ought to claim,
according to the provisions of the treaty, it
is reasonable to suppose the arbitrators will
say so. At all events this country has bound
itself to accept their decision. And 80 has
England. If, on the other hand, our claim for
what are called indirect damages in the
destruction of our commerce and maritime
interests, and in the prolongation and cost in
part OF the war, be admitted, England has
bound herself to submit and to pay the award,
though it may amount to hundreds of millions,
All is left to the arbitratOrs and any ATTEMPT
to force decision of the question in advance
of their action would be violation of the
treaty.
The articles in the case of the United States
against Great Britain, to be acted upon by the
Geneva Conference, which appear to have
aroused more particularly the press of Eng
land, are five and seven. Article five makes
a claim 'for loss in the transfer of the
American commercial marine to the British
fag," and article seven ''for prolongation of
a civil war, the addition of large sum to the
cost thereof, and Of the suppression of the
rebellion" These are called indirect
damages" and the British government is
called upon to resist any such liability. In
the treaty between the United States and
Great Britain, for the settlement of all causes
of difference between the two countries, signed
at Washington the 9Th of May last, the rules