Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-02-22
Geneva Coincidence.
SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH CASE"

The case submitted to the Geneva
Board of Arbitration, by the counsel of
Great Britain, in regard to the Alabama
Claims, has been laid before the Parlia-
ment, and is published. The document
is divided into ten parts.
Part remarks that no definite or COM
pletc statement of the American claims
has ever been furnished The Treaty of
Washington and previous correspondence
will supply, however, a general definition
Of the demands made by the United
States.
Rule II of Article 6 of the Treaty of
Washington is quoted as follows: "a
neutral Government is bound not to per-
nit or suffer either belligerent to make use
Of its port. or water as O base of naval
operation against the other, or for the pur-
pose of the renewal or augmentation of
military supplies or arms, or the recruit
nent of men"
This rule is interpreted as prohibitatirg
.he supply of war waging vessels from
neutral ports, but is not prohibitory of the
sale OF arms or munitions of war in the
ordinary course OF commerce.
The claims submitted are for damages
growing out OF the acts of vessels respect
ing which tue United States alleges that
Great Britain failed in her international
duty. The Tribunal must determine the
question of the failure of duty. II it de-
cides that there has been such failure, then
it must award a gross sum for damages,
or define the limit Of the liability, for the
guidance Of assessors oil said damages.
he circumstances of the sailing of the
steamers Alabama. Florida, Georgia and
Shenandoah were materially dissimilar,
but Great Britain maintains that in re-
spect TO none of them has she failed of
her International obligations or rendered
herself justly liable.
Part Ii gives history of the civil war
in the United States, showing that the
course OF England and the maritime pow
ers was one of vigilant and scrupulous
neutrality
Part III pakes statement OF interna-
tional rights and duties, of the laws OF
England bearing thereon, and of the faith
ful performance and execution thereof by
Great Britain during the war. 1t also
gives a detailed account of the action OF
Minister Adams and Earl Russell TO pre-
vent the departure OF rebel cruisers.
/ Part ~ shows the limits OF the powers
possessed by the British Government tC
lprevent such departures.
Parts V, vi, VII and VIII, respectively
present in detail facts relative to the
steamers Florida. Alabama, Georgia and
Shenandoah.
Part TX sets forth that the steamers
Georgia and Shenandoah were never
equipped for war in the British Domin-
ions Her Majestey's Government was
only informed respecting these vessels
after their departure. The Alabama and
Florida even did not receive their arma-
ments in the British Dominions. The
peculiar circumstances of the Alabama
escape are recited, and England's vigilani
endeavors 10 prevent her sailing, as well
as America s failure in the attempt to cap
ture her. are insisted on.
Part X complains of the disadvantages
under which Great Britain labors in meet
ing an unpresented case.
The document concludes as follows
"While England regrets the departure Of
rebel cruisers from her ports, she can not
acknowledge the justness Of the claims
against her for pecuniary damages fol
these 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 unfavorable. She
desires only that it shall be just"