New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-10

GENEVA, Friday, Aug. 9, 1874
The arbitrators, counsel, and other gentle
men connected with the Tribunal dned together at the
Hotel des Bergers. to-day. Covers laid for 40
guests. Mr. j. Bancroft Davis was not present. Inc
affair was entirely informal william NJ. Eyarts goes to
Paris to-day Will return before the reassembng OF
the Court of Arbitration next Wednesday, Caleb Cush
ing and Mr. Waite will visit Chamounx during the al
iournment OF the Court. 1t is supposed that the
American representatives have completed their case
and the English agent and counsel are employing them
selves during the in preparing their reply thereto
A NEws DIFFICULTY-RESULTs OF NEWSPAPERS
Ess-CoNsIDERATIoNS OF Lam
GUAGE.
GENEVA, July 25.-Late last week the Tri-
buna OF Arbitration against new snag, from when
it has not yet exricated itself. The difficulty is not
however which threatens at all the success OF the
arbitration, but is, on the contrary, purely legal and
technical II is the forerunner OF many similar ques-
lions which will arise and which the Tribunal Is amply
competent adjust indeed, without their adjustment no
decision can be rendered. Still the members OF the
Court admit that the present question: II not emDara
sing is at least which demands careful consdera-
ton, patience and time AS to the last clement It may
be said that though the Tribunal has voted to hold
five sessions weekly, this week but one mas
been held The taken 10 enable
tho Arbitrators 10 study the new point when had
arisen and this fact well as the admission OF
official gentlemen themselves, show that the diiheuty
though temporary, is sufficiently grave do not assume
to give you the precise point which has arisen Inc
secret is If anything carefully guarded than the
others, and absolutely nothing is known outside OF
the Sale de Marriages But in place OF conJecures
to what the difficulty Is, you may be giad 10
have exact information TO what u is not Unless
am mistaken the American public have suffered from
the maadroit zeal of Geneva newspaper. That enter
prisng journal gave, morning. with the usual pro-
Of lie n of
According 10 this solution the American agents were
once more brought up roundy by the refusal
of the British gentlemen to proceed unless
there should be first expunged from the
American easel everything which assumed an inten-
tonal connvance on the part of the English Govern
ment with the builders and OF the Rebel cruisers
OF course, this difficulty, il actual, would be very
serious Insnuatons Of bad faith abound in Mr.. Bancroft
Dayis's productions, and to expunge them would be
equivalent destroying his elaborate indictment against
the British Government Happily the Geneva paper has
been deceived. There absolutely truth in its sory
and American case thanks to the forbearance OF the
English people, has received no fresh amendments
take the pains to contradict this report because II
ostentaously published, aud has doubtless been tele
graphed 70 America.
Aside from this temporary interruption, which will
soon be over the Of events proceeds smoothly
along" When wrote you last the Tribunal was sitting
the evidence with regard to the construction scope and
OF edcn cruiser. Az
points of law specially under consideration, and
thus the - Arbitrators may be said TO DO
face TO face with the most difficult part of
their task. AS the of each cruiser Is fin
ished informal judgment is made, but the formal
decisions will all be received till the end and announced
together 1t to be well understood that the Trbu
nal will award gross for the delinquencies If any,
of which Great Britain may be found guilty.
Although this is matter of opinion,
IL seems to be held generally and
expressed freely by the members Of the Court II will
be recoected that the American Case specifically asks
for such an award The British Case makes protest
against such result though 1t denies the justice OF
any award at ALL IL could not well object TO particular
form of award. But at least member OF the Trbu.
nal told me that the British representatives
seemed anxious have tho whole question settled by
the present Tribunal, and to have verdict Of guilty
there be one, accompanied by pecuniary award II is
known that two British Commissions have been collect
ing evidence both the actual damages caused by
the prvaeers and as to the expenses Of the American
Navy In pursuing them, and this with view
to a gross award by the Tribunal. The pro-
ceedngs before the Tribunal carried
ON in French or English according to convenience. All
the Arbtrators speak French, MrAdams, perhaps the
least accurately Of ALL but still clearly and Ineligible
Sir Alexander Cockbum is French on his mothers side,
and spent part OF his youth in France The two agents
also understand French. With English the judges make
speak it and though some Of them read 1t
readily French is found the whole convenient
The English language has, however, been adopted az the
formal language and all ofbcia documents arc Written
and signed in that tongue.
The counsel have as yet taken part IN the debera
tons They attend the sessions regularly and assist
their respective Agents but further than this they
to the walking gentlemen Of the play. The conviction
strengthens that they will not be called for oral
arguments. Meantime, 1t Is thought worthy Of
special mention by local journal, evidence
Of the growing friendship OF the two nations,
that Sir ROyndell Palmer and Mr. Waite have taken
sail together the lake. The ingenious solution OF
which have spoken above included the statement that
Chief Justice Cockburn had been charged by his Govern
ment with the duty Of getting rid OF the remaining OBJ
jectonabe matter in the American Case AS the whole
story false this part of falls TO the ground with
the rest But may not be improper TO state that so lar as
impartialty and dispassionate action are concerned
the English and American members OF the Tribunal are
fully equal TO their colleagues. Both CONSIDER
control of their respective Governments Mr..
Staempfi or Count Bclopis. They VIII brng
passioness Judgment to their important and delicate
labOrs. The spirit by which Sir Alexander CockDurn
animated is the more creditabe 10 MIN since ms
own Government is known 10 take much narrower
view OF his mission. ON more tnan one occasion ~
traitor" The London Times rebuked Earl Granville
for this error, which involves fundamentally
false notions Of the arbitratGn but II seems 10 nave
deserve dferentl title here. All Americans WHO
have him express the opinion that, aside from the
UNCONSCIOUS bias which Patriotism gives 10 the most
upright minds will render exact and even justice.
decided arstOcrat, and suppose has the ordl-
nary British opinion OF America and American instu-
lions.
GREAT BRITAIN
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON THE
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