New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-14
Icy TELEGRApH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WAsuIyGToN, Monday, May

SECRET SLSSiONs
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUHEl
wAsuINGToN, Monday, May 10, 1872.
The President called a special Cabinet meeting
this morning and submitted to it the question of
sending TO the Senate Immediately the en-
tire correspondence which has grown out
of the controversy between the United States
and Great Britain relative to our claims
before the Geneva Board of Arbitration for
consequential damages. In accordance with the de-
termination there reached, an immense pile Of man
uscrpt was cOnfdentially transmitted to the Senate
early this afternoon, and Executive session was
almost Immediately moved for its consideration. The
most important document among all was the latest
dispatch from Minister Schenck i'll which he proposes
that a supplemental Treaty be made, establishing
fourth rule under Article VI of the Treaty of Wash
ington to govern the Arbitrators in deciding the
questions which have been submitted TO them.
This rule is to provide that neither nation shall
have right TO make any claims upon the other for
consequential damages growing out of failure
of the latter to observe its neutral obligations The
announcement that draft OF such treaty was to
be sent to the Senate to-day was premature, for
while it is understood that Great Britain. if such
rule Of arbitration is adopted and incorporated into
the Treaty viii agree that our case may stand
a. presented to the Geneva Tribunal, no such for
NAL instrument has yet been prepared. The amend
ed Treaty will stipulate that demand for indirect
damages can be lawfully made, and if it is made
must be Immediately ruled out Of the things
not contemplated by the Treaty This being so
Great Britain win allow the claim to stand in the
American Case as originally presented.
AS soon as the message of the President and this
dispatch Of Gen. Schenck had been read, some de-
bate arose on the advisability of settling the diff
Guilty in this manner after which Mr.. Sumner got
the floor and advocated removing the injunction of
secrecy from the CORRESPONDENCE and de-
bate that may arise upon it. lie said
that in England, where the Government
was Of monarchical form, no such thing was known
a secret discussion Of treaty and that whatever
said III Parliament on this subject, whatever
portion Of this correspondence is commu-
nicated TO that body by the Ministry,
will be open to the whole world. II
this course was proper in England, much more was
II desirable here. The manner in which this contrO-
versy was settled concerned not only the Admins
traton and the Senate, but the entire people, who
had right 10 know all about it as the negotiations
a6yahced Again the discussion on the Johnson
Clarendon Treaty was made public That treaty was
rejected because il failed 10 recognize the rights of
the United States in the very particular in which it
is now prepared TO yield. The proposition to con-
duct this business in public was voted down with
out division, and, after order was made
70 print the correspondence for the confden-
tial use Of the Senate, the doors were
opened. Conversation with many Senators of dit
ferent policies this evening proves that this
basis Of settlement will not meet with unanimous
favor Mr.. Sumner is, it is reported. prepared
10 make q long speech, lasting through
one or two sessions strongly opposed
10 it, and Others will take the ground
that 10 adopt at this late date rule which shall
govern the arbitrator substantially directing them
20 throw out the particular claims about which the
controversy has occurred is just as bad as withdraw
ing those claims, Great Britain demanded that
ne abould. The fact that those particular