The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-11
Debate In the Cabinet on tho Alabama
Claims.

| AAAcV 0OAVoJCa NY Gu0 11OuuOu JOuEudlb,
OF the position of the English people on
the tenor of the American case, as sub.
mitted to the Geneva conference, has
been intensified to-day by discussion
OF the Cabinet on the situation, and the
subsequent reception of the Queen q
speech, in which the British Goveinm ent
boldly declares that it did not understand
that large claims (meaninK, Of course,
the demand for consequential damages J.
were within the province of. the Geneva
arbitrators, and that friendly message
has been sent to the United States on
the subject While this information was
not before the Cabinet-in fact no official
Information of any character has been
received by the President or Secretary OF
State except u telegram from Minister
Sohenck tonight, giving ON extract from
the Queens speech-there was neverthe-
less quite debate nt to-dHy's session, ns
to whether the treaty did cover the CLAIM
for inierential damages, Or whether they
were ruled out. Secretary Boutwell,, 1t
ie understood, very decidedly intimated
that they were not specifically covered
by the treaty, and yet he saw no reason
why the issue could not be submitted by
the counsel OF the United States to the
arbitrators for them to pass on. The
only point OF the discussion, however,
seemed to turn as to whether the British
Commissioners had been assured that l. o
claim for indirect damages would be
made. If this be so, then the Admins,
tratlon will have to beat u retreat on thut
issue; but if such is not Cbe Case aud
tue whole question simply arises on the
construction of the treaty, then this Go
vernment, it is believed here, will Insist
that the arbitrators must alone pass upon
that issue by either estimating, as the
American case asks them to estimate, the
amount which ought to be paiu the
United States or throw out entirely the
claim for inferential indemnify.
But in either event the nom n-partisan,
sober feeling in Washington is TINT the
English press and Government have got
up seuseless furry, just as they did
over Mr.. Summers speech on the same
subject, and have betrayed an uncom-
mon weakness in opening correspond
ence onaQuestion which has been signed,
sealed and delivered over by the high
contracting pnrtics to an impartial arbl-
tration, and where the United States Co.
vernment propose to stand or fall by the
decision. But il is admitted that the
terms of the Queens speech are 80 sig
niticant that the United States admins
tration is put at once thereby in an atti-
tude of defence.
There is probably less need Of an ex-
planation abroad of the real cause of the
present tumult in England than there is
ut home. 1t is here in the United States
that General Grant will first be- called on
to give IN account of the why and
wherefore Of the sudden and premature
| ,fr,o mt ,f l..A IL,
while our case presented ut Geneva has
been published far and wide through
England and on the continent. it is
scarcely understood at home. It is q
volume of some 500 pages which has as
yet been issued here only from the Go
vernment printing Office. Now, the Co
ing house will find its account in giving
this case q national circulation, and be-
fore the American people fully make up
their minds as to the merits of the issue,
they will do we'll to read this powerful
presentment, and ascertain the facts
The American case is indeed q powerful,
and III some parts, fiery document.
The fact which ought chiefly to be
taken into account, by all who value con.
sistency and good faith above considera.
tions founded on popular prejudice and
clsmor, is, that General Grants ad.
ministration, which professed ut the out
set to repudiate the doctrine Of Sumner't
speech on the Johnson Clarendon treaty
wherein the Massachusetts Senator Sci
up our claim to collateral or sentimental
damages. has made in its presentation o
tho American case before the Geneva
commission that kind of damages q pro
minent part of our claim. This cluim
OF indirect damages to the United State,
tho Johnson-C Clarendon treaty escheweC
in order to secure peace. It hns beor
embodied in the current argument or
the part of the United States ut Geneva
apparently to incite war. The prospects
ar rather the possibility, of war is coolly
discussed III some quarters here as
great stroke of luck for Grant. At
gathering of prominent Republicans
this evening, ono of the most promi
nont-if not the most prominent mem
Dor Of the House wns heard to cxclai m
"Wns there ever such lucky devil %
Grant! Another distinguished gentle
man OF tho same branch of Congress
laughed heartily at what he called til,
plight Of Butler, who has been loadet
to the mnzzle with speech on the treaty
, OF which the main point was that til
American side was not presented stron,
eDOuOh "Grnnt " aaid tho Unptlorou