New-York tribune., 1872-04-30
MEETING AT GENEVA.

THE FORMAL EXCHANGE or COUNTER CASES
TIE BRITISH PROTEsT-AN AMERICAs PRO-
TEST.
lFROM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
GENEVA, April 1j.-This morning, at % o'clock
precisely. Mr. j. C. Bancroft Davis, the United States
Agent under the Treaty OF Washington, accompanied by
Gen. Caleb Cushing. U. ;. Consul under the same
Treaty and Mr.. Charles Beaman, Solicitor proceeded 70
the Town Hall OF Geneva. where they were met on tho
part Of Great Britain by Lord Tenterden, who, your
readers aware holds the position with regard
Britain Mr. Bancroft Davis does with regard
to the United States Lord Tenter1en was accompanied
by Mr.. Brooks Taylor his Secretary Monsieur Favrot
OF Geneva who named Secretary to the Arbitrator
was present receive the Of the two
Governments. Contrary TO general report none OF the
Arbtrators present. it having been arranged last
December when the Tribunal first met that they should
be represented by their above-named Secretary.
AL the proceedings were terminated by II o'clock
During the sitting, Lord Tenterden, the part Of
Great Britain, handed to NJ Favro representing the
Court Of ArbItrators, the British Counter Case and
accompanying documents the only important one OF
which the note protest against the jurisdiction OF
the Arbrators with regard to the claims for consequen
tal damages Then Mr. Davis the part Of the United
states handed In his to NJ Favrot, the Counter
Case prepared by him In repy1o the British Case with
its accompanying documents including translation
into French all the most important papers contained
In the seven volumes OF evidence. files OF acts &C. which
accompanied the American Case when presented Oh
the 18th Of last December
Mr. Davis also entered protest on the part OF the
United States reservng the right OF that Government
to withdraw, should it think it, from the arbitration be-
fore the meeting Of the court on the lth or June
am informed that this step was taken, not from any
desire on the part OF the United states Government 10
Withdraw from the Treaty Of Washington, but TO duly
guard right. would never do to allow the British
Government to be free TO withdraw not. while that Of
hcrfnd hat
on. This protest being entered has an important
bearing on the Case, practically recognizing the
right the British Government TO withdraw before the
18th of June should they think ft to do. am also
informed that the American representatives do not ds
pute the right Of the British Government to t IN
protest and that they accept that protest as valid IL
has been said, see by the London papers, that the
American representatives considered that the arbitration
must now proceed because Lord Tonterden had put in
his Governments Counter Case and that N spite OF any
thing Great Britain might do between this and the 18th
OF June the ArDitrators would be bound 70 give their
solemn decision This is quite erroneous.
To return to the proceedings in the Town Hall OF
Geneva As soon NJ. Favrot had received the copies
of the papers the Arbtratos copies were delivered
to the different counsel employed and 10 the agents OF
the respective Governments. Messrs Beaman ana
Taylor set to work draw up regular minute OF what
had taken place. This business necessity occupied
long time, copies had to be made verified and signed
was gwen 10 Lord Tenterden that delay need arise
this time from Mr. Glastones not being able 20 obtain
an early sight of the American Counter Case or sur
clent number for the Of his colleagues may men
ton here that Mr.. UarbOrd. Queens Messenger left
Geneva by the express this afternoon and carried sew
eral copies OF the American documents TO London with
him. so Mr. Gladstone will not wait long before he sees
the American Counter Case. When the minutes had
been duly signed the representatives OF the respective
Governments passed a hearty vote OF thanks 70 NJ
Favrot for his courtesy Secretary No negotiations
whatever were entered into between the American and
British representative IL reported that this was
10 be- the case. but nothing Of the dud took place
The British Counter Case Is understood o. have been
chiefly prepared by Prof Montague Bernard the chi
chee Professor oxford OF lnternationa Law ana err
Rounded Palmer. 10 Is considerably longer than the
American Counter Case which Ike the Original Ease,
was composed and written by Mr. Bancroft Davis, with
The AID however OF Messrs Cushing Eyars, and Wayte
who have residing IN Paris for the last four months
and have of course, been In constant Communication
with Mr. Davis. The protest Of the British Government
wO ded. aud ~ considered %
eiat0ry but firm IL Ia the opinion OF those most I'M
npdatelv concerned that the British Government are
deteruned to withdraw altogether from t3 rhtratlon
unless the United states Government makes eohcessohs
with gard ~ the Indirect claims