Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-29
The "English Case"

The following is a synopsis, as received
by cable on the 10Th, of the English case
submitted to the Geneva Tribunal. The
document is divided into ten parts:
Part remarks that no definite or COM
plete statement of American claims has
ever been furnished The Treaty of
Washington and previous correspondence
will supply, however, general definition
of the demands made by the United
States. Rule of Article of the Treaty
of Washington is quoted as follows: "a
neutral Government is bound not to
permit or suffer either belligerent to make
use of its ports or waters as base of
naval operations against the other, or for
the purpose of renewal or augmenta-
ton of military supplies, or arms, or
recruitment of men," This rule is in
terpreted as prohibiting the supply
of war-waging vessels from neutral
ports, but is not prohibitory of the sale
of arms or munitions of war in the or
binary course Of commerce The claims
submitted are for damages growing out
of acts of vessels respecting which the
United States allege that Great Britain
failed in her international duty. The Tribu-
nal must determine the question of failure
of duty. If it decides that there has been
such failure, then it must awarded gross
sum for damages, or define the liability
for the guide of the assessors of said dam
ages. The circumstances of the sailing of
the steamers Alabama, Florida, Georgia
and Shenandoah were materially dissimi-
lar, but Great Britain maintains that in re-
spect to none Sf them has she failed of
her international obligations or rendered
herself justly liable.
Part gives history of the civil war
in the United States, showing that the
course of England and the maritime pow
ers was of vigilant and scruprlous neu-
trality.
Part 3 makes statement of interna-
tional rights and duties, of the laws OF
England bearing thereon, and of the
faithful performance and execution there
of by Great Britain during the war. II
also gives detailed account of the &C
ton of Minister Adams and Earl Russell,
to prevent the departure of rebel cruisers
Part shows the limits of the powers
possessed by the British Government to
prevent such departures.
Parts 5, 6, Z and s, respectively, pre-
sent in detail facts relative TO the steam
ers Florida, Alabama, Georgia and She
nandoah.
Part 8 sets forth that the steamers
Georgia and Shenandoah were never
equipped for war in the British Domin-
ions. Her Majesty's Government was
Only informed respecting these vessels
after their departure. The Alabama and
Florida, even, did not receive their arma-
ments in British waters. The peculiar
circumstances of the AlaOama's escape
are recited and England's vigilnat en-
deavor to prevent her sailing, as well as
Americas failure in the attempt to cap
ture her, are insisted on.
Part 10 complains of the disadvantage
under which Great Britain labors in
meeting an unpresented case.
The document concludes as follows:
"Whilc England regrets the departure
of rebel cruisers from her ports, she can
not acknowledge the justice of tue claims
against her FOR pccuniary damages for
their acts. The United States must solid
ly establish the facts of England's negli-
gence. England is ready to accept the
award of the Tribunal of Arbitration,
whether favorable Or unfayorable. Sine
desires only that it shall be just"