The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-03-15
The Treaty of Washington.
tFrom IIarpcr's Weekly.

Clt1Ilo vi UllC OIluCu tCtdtCS ullIleT
the Treaty Of Washington is most
unreasonable, while the American
unanimity and moderation of feeling
are most honorable. The exuberant
wrath Of the English at what are call
ed indirect or consequential damages
both now and upon the delivery of
Senator Summers speech is difficult
to explain. When Mr.. Sumner spoke
of such damages there came IN in
dignant reply from England that the
island of Great Britain, and all the
men, women and children upon it,
should sink before such preposter-
ous claim was acknowledged. And
now when in the "case' of tho Uni
ted States submitted at Geneva the
same possible demand is made, MIR.
Gladstone, the British Prime Minis
ter, says that the American demands
are prcposterons and absurd, and
such as no people in the last cxtrem-
ity Of war or the lowest depth of na-
tional misfortune would ever submit
to.
Yet the American case" has a!-
ways been the same, and has always
been known to England. 1t was
stated by Mr.. Seward and by Mr..
Sumner and after the speech Of the
latter upon the Johnson treaty, in
which this very point Of indirect loss
es WAS strenulously urged, tho SEN
ate Of the United States maintained
it by vote which, except for one
Senator would have been unanimous.
The case of the United States was
stated again in the dispatch Of Sec
rctary Fish to Mr.. Motley OF Sept,
25, 1869 and Mr.. Golden had an
ticipltel it during the war, and de-
clarel in Parliament that England
would certainly be called to a reck-
oning. And that there might be no
pretext for misunderstanding the
American case, it was set forth by
the American commissioners at the
opening OF the negotiations for the
Treaty of Washington.
On the 4,h Of May, 1871, proto-
col, or official record of Tie negotia-
tions, was read III the Commission,
and approved by it. From this re-
cord it appears that on the sth of
March the American Commissioners
stated the American case. This was
really composed Of two parts, the
direct and the indirect losses. The
former comprised the capture and
destruction OF vessels with their car
goes, together with the expenses OF
pursuit by the national cruisers the
latter comprised the transfer OF
American commerce to the British
flag, the enhanced payment OF insur-
ance, the pro!ongation Of the war
aud tie consequent immense III
crease Of expenditure to carry it on
The amount of claims actually pre-
ferred for losses was then about four
teen millions of dollars, and the OK.
penses OF pursuit could be easily es'
timated and the protocol adds
that in the hope of al alnicable set
tlement no estimate Was made OF the
indirect losses, without prejudice
however, to the right to indennitica'
tion on thcir account in the event O
no such settlement being made
The American Commissioners, there
fore, proposed the amcable settle
nent by an expression OF regret
} from England, and the payment Of 6
sum to be agreed upon.
This proposition was declined, anc
the Commission proceeded to frame
the treaty, which opens with the de
claration of a desire to settle AMIGA
bly all causes of difference. 1t con
tinues with an expression of regre
for the escape Of the cruisers, ane
then defines the manner in which
"the case" of each country is to bt
| submitted to arbitration and it con
cludes by declaring that the result
of the arbitration shall be regarded
as +" full, perfect, and final settle
: ment" by cach side. The lnd'gnau
/, declaration of English opinion nov
7 is that the United States had no r'gll
under the treaty to make sucl
a "case" as they nave submitted
and that if they persist i'll making II
4 Great Britain will withdraw from til
, treaty. But upon what ground ca!
: Great Britain require that the Uni
Z ted States shall accept her view q
what +" tue case" might properly IN
cluae? The original statement o
g the American Commissioners men
q toned indirect losses as cardlna
n part of the American case. had tn
, proposition been accepted TO apolc
gize and pay a gross sum, the settle
u ment would have been final. bu
= that was declined, and the America
d Commissioners, having expressly X
served all their rights, put into the