Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-02-13
0rforo 4emotrat.
PARIS, MAINE, FEBRUARY IS. 1877:
Il Little Unpledsaatness.

Politicians in England. high in power.
resort TO indefensible means 10 accom-
plish their purposes as well as pot'nouse
politicians in the lower spheres OF life.
1t seems that quite a fairy was stured
up by them lasi week, just before the as
Sembling of Parliament, which caused
little rufle on the political horizon in
our country as well as England. The
gold and stock markets felt it little. but
the excitement subsidized speedily. 1t
was al about the treaty OF Washington.
which everybody supposed was going on
smoothly-each panty thinking that the
other had Over-reached them little. but
both keeping mp mutual admiration
society and saving pleasant things till,
suddenly. the Gladstone ministry, finding
the Tories gaining ground by attacking
the treaty, try 10 steal their thunder. and
"Ou,-H erod ilerodn by denouncing the
American claims as prepoSierous and IN
just. This set the great Enginery OF
war. the Press, NJ work. and consider
able feeling was stirred up. The matter
is now made Of so much importance that
il must be looked at seriously. Their
grievance is the American claim for in
direct damages. Our government, in
making out its case. not only demanded
pay for the actual losses Inflicted by the
Alabama, but for the indirect injury done
by the transfer Of our commerce TO the
British Tag, the increased rates of mSur-
ance. and the prolongaiion and increased
cost Of the war II had, Of course,
clear right 10 do this. TO cover the whole
ground of damages. and 10 show the
full extent Of the injuries inflicted by the
negligence or unfriendiness Of the Brit
ISL government. But these demands
are to be submitted 10 the arbitrators At
Geneva. under certain rules laid down in
the treaty. and if they are not in accord
ance with those rules, they will Of course,
be ruled out
It is not to be supposed that England
would be guilty OF the folly Of repudia
ting arbitration simply because our gov
eminent has made out as strong case
as possible, right it has itself undoubt
edly exercised in presenting its own
case. AT last accounts. the tone Of the
English press had moderated little.
Reports from Washington represent the
administration rs not at all excited by
the clamor in England. II was reported
that the English Minister unofrcially in
timated that il would be desirable TO
have the claim for indirect damages
omitted. but that the President declined,
saying tina, il will be for the arbitra,ors
10 decide. The Queen. in her speech to
Parliament on Thursday, sail nothing
more about this matter except that Amer
lea had submitted large claims which she
had understood not 10 be within the |
province of the arbiirators, and she had |
caused a friendly communication to be
made TO the American government
Di5reali denounced the Queens speech |
rs unsatisfactory in abiding 30 mildly
TO the matter, and Gladstone himself
spoke OF the American claims as absurd |
and prepOsterous.
L, is sem-officially announced that
President Grant and Secretary Fish are
firm in the belief tina, the treaty in ex
press terms does not give the right to
present these claims 10 the Geneva Board
OF Al bitralion. and that Board is the OH
~ tribunal which can decide whether
they shall lie admitted or not. They
hold tina, they had no alternative but to
present the claims of the United States
growing out of the course of Great Brit
ain in order that there might be 10 point
left open for future dispute. that the
United States has heretofore held that it
was entitled TO indirect damages, they
say mo one can iruthfully deny" and il
the claim tor consequent damages had
no. been presented and was not to be
passed upon there might be complaint
by the people oil the United States that
provision was made for a partial settle
ment only Of the differences between the
two countries. Such claim was, there
fore, presented for full settlement At
the same time it is asserted that neither
the President nor The Secretary OF State
has any expectation that consequential
damage. to . great amount will be
awarded or paid, and one OF them, at
least, does not hesitate 70 say 50 in con-
versation.
The result will probably be that Pres
ident Grant will remain firm. trait OF
his. and the mater viii quietly subsidc,
being lett to the determination Of the
conference.
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