The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-22

all possibility OF exception. Unfortunately. II was
| not 50. The Prime Minister il naturally most un-
willing TO admit that there was any defect or want
OF on the part OF the government last year, but
he fastened to add that he did not question the
right OF the United States government 10 construe
the treaty in any sense they pleased. The diculty
OF getting hgh-spirted nation to recast their case
after they have translated It into the chief languages
| OF Europe and scattered II over the Continent Is
necessarily enormous but the difficulty ID m
we n os
| We are all agreed that ours Is the better con-
structlon OF the treaty. bus there Is no one who
adduced on the other side. IL is idle and worse
than idle because Irritating to the other side, 10
Ing one, and only one, rational and grammatical
meaning. Mr.. Gladstone's language is to be regret.
ted jor more serious reason than Its probable ef-
feet in America. 1t leads him to put our case on
wrong issue. Mr.. Otway had expressed his regret
Tuesday declared the treaty TO be clear and
| unam6iguous because the whole strengtn %, OF
In e To s Mr.
stone declared he could not understand by what
logical process this conclusion was reached DO We
mean, under any circumstances to pay o single
sixpence in respect OF these indirect damages
the unanimous answer is, Certainly not II we
indirect damages, and If we are resolved under no
circumstances to pay anything In respect 70 them
whether the words OF the treaty NAV may not be
stretched to cover them: The other SIDE may argue
IL
right to do 1t. but are bound TO give notice be.
forehand that our decision Is taken. The claims
enter upon discussion or matter too serious to
be allowed to depend on the construction OF phrases
the London Post OF the same date considers ut is
certainly matter for regret That Mr.. Gladstone DID
not explain how the government came to consider 9
Treaty OF Washington as the only rational mean.
ing-the only grammatical meaning which could
be put on that instrument. However We may be in
clined to doubt the ability OF Mr.. Gladstone 10 con-
vince government Of the United states that the
only meaning, the rational meaning, and the gram
matlcal meaning OF the treaty excludes the submis
sion OF claims Tor remote damages, we certainly
have have i acted wisely in endeavorng to show III
they entertain that opinion honestly that on
as no % sne
ment OF their preposterous demands. We discuss
the meaning OF the treaty with the view Of showing
liglDly expressed. !! we iai on this point land we
candidly admit we do not share the confidence Of
ment less complimentary TO our sagacy, 1t is true,
but not on that account the less convincing. We
press inteiglbly and dec ne to enter ain the indi-
rect claims on the ground OF error IN drawing up
country and the United States did not agree ad
idenl, AMI that therefore the consensus, winch Is
the London Standard remarks that "Mr. Clad.
stone cuts OH the chance OF good understanding
oy declaring tnat there can De no question about
ing its language as free from the slightest am
bguity. Forced into corner by these declarations
what can the American government dor 10 with
draw the demand for these indirect damages would
be to all ow, after Mr.. Gladstones speeches. that it
had made claim under an arbitration for which
the terms or the submission did not furnish
the slightest pretence. But is It SO clear that
r "s al smDSSyf The Engsa sse
knows what it meant when 1t agreed to the clauses,
government knew what it meant ana know what
sense attached t0lts stlpulations. But 1t was con-
tended yesterday afern00n'that The language OF the
to say that the words empoyed-words OF Ameri-
claim, In the Wow we take Of the matter
TINS point is comparatively unimportant now.
II only shows now awkwardly the govern
ment managed the business, and we can have
no difficulty in agreeing with Mr.. Bernal Osborne
ana Mr.. Osborne morgan That Mr.. Gregory and
telligibe and satisfactory bargain. But what we
have TO concern ourselves about now Is how to treat
that, while absolutely refusing to entertain them,
we need not suggest that they were dishonesty
has done and much as We Wa Snd
applaud the decisive language IN which he declares
allow tnem TO be- By ~ any Sana whose
authority we admit we are compelled TO consider,
guage has been indlscreet. and VIII probably be
mlschievOusn
made, yesterday afternoon, PROBABLY the most i'm
pressive speech that he has ever addressed to The
House OF Commons, or that has been heard there
with the Iorce Of individual character ana convic-
ton. HIS eloquence has often led on great party
tlment ana purpose Of the naton found
House of Con%Sns Knew no 1a o
parties as 1t listened TO him. We do not pledge
some Of the criticisms skllfHiy urged Oy Mr. otway
Mi. Osborne and Mr. Osborne Morgan we are dis.
to &c % 70
however shallow and unreal. for tine intrusion Of
claims which mad been unequvocally abandoned.
nnf IN hofo Mr. nuato uvoo
elusive. The Prime Minister declines to take his
stand upon the ambiguity OF the treaty, or to admit
speech yesterday Justified his confidence, and Will
strengthen that Of the nation"
more essential for England, Just at this unctare,
taaa ina! hef people should Keep fr% anu digniaed
put togeth will not aeot determination never
TO admit the indirect claims even 70 DEBATE. Let
the issue be what 1t may, on this point there can be
no mistaking the purpose OF the country, without
exception OF party or class. We believe that when
our unyielding flrmness snail have been July
recognized our transatl antc klnsf0lk Will adopt
calmer modes OF expression and v more Judically
equabe tone In discussing mater OF grave politi.
strong language employed beyond the Atlantic will
be sent back from our shores, and we have COO much
trust In the genuine unlrlendilneSs and good sense
OF the Americans to Imagine that the tall talk oil
the Journals represents the real sentiment Of the
nrmness on our part it may be hoped that DrIer
lapse OF time Will see the present cloud Overpast.n
:. luc Lonuon MWuW0 ADVERTISER ODSerVeS:-"fne
Ministerial journals have already expatiated upon
the necessity OF all parties being united In pa rOuc
resistance to the demands of America. SO Mr..
Gladstone, coming out IN the May God defend the
rlgntp style Of Earl Russell, may be cheereu, and
all minor matters be shelved and forgotten In the
prospect OF war. IL Is desperate card; but 1t may
be played for all that Really, fate seems disposed
to 0e ir0nical towards the memory Of Mr..
Golden and the living Mr.. Bright War con-
tlnues to be the history Of mau. France is
disposed, or compelled, to denounce the Treaty
OF Commerce which CObden framed. And now
America turns round upon her poor old parent,
and cries, Your money your lifep What Will Mr..
Bright say In the House about his model republics
modest demandsf How does Mr.. Henry Rlcnard
propose TO solve the dincultyf Will he head depu-
tati0n TO the President Of tue United states TO
him, as man 10 man and brother to brother what
might be the very lowest sum he VIII actually take?
This, 1t must be remembered, Is case OF arbltra-
tion II was the first great example That was to
generate the world. The result Is not happy. IL
ho noacn and vmant INIT I0oka III rafuooI