New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-13
THE DIPLOMATIC MIDDLE.
THE PRESENT STATE OF THE QUESTION
FOR INDIRECT DAMAGES.

CONTRADICTORY REPORIS-GREAr Bell AIN 1hip
TO BE AvERsE TO RUPTURE OF NLGOILA-
LONDON. May u, 1872.
The London Obsetu says communications
have been passing between the Cabinets OF
Washington and London all the past week.
The Government of the United States has as yet
made no definite proposition of favorable charac-
ter. There is ground for hope however, that Presi-
dent Grant may recommend and the Senate approve
modification of the Treaty Of Washington. The
course of the British Government before Parliament
tomorrow depends on the reply of the Washington
Cabinet Public opinion in England is averse to
any action which will close negotiations for settle
ment.
The Post yesterday morning confirmed the rumor
which was current the day before that the negOtia-
tions between the United States and England rela-
tive to the indirect claims had been broken OFF, and
stated positively that the British Government had
withdrawn from tho arbitration provided for under
the Treaty of Washington.
LONDON. Monday Morning, May 10, 1872
The Times and other London papers of this morn
ing are of the opinion that the announcement OF
Friday that negotiations between Great Britain and
the United States with regard to the Indirect Claims
had been broken off, premature.
The Times says positively that all will yet be
righted 1t maintains that the American Govern
ment has agreed in principle to withdraw the claims
for indirect damages and advises forbearance on the
part Of both Houses of Parliament.
AUTHORITATIVE DENIAL THAT DIPLOMATIC COR
REsPONDENCE IS ENDED-A sEMI-oFFICIL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. vIEW-WAITING
FOR BRITISH DEVELOPMENTS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNB.l
WASHINGTON, May 12.-The Administration has
authorized denial of the report that correspondence
in regard to indirect damages under the Treaty of
Washington is at an end. The President in CONVEX
sation with the editor of his special organ III this
city, on Friday, explained the attitude OF the two
nations substantially az it had been stated
week before in THE TRIBUNE, with the exception
that the President was careful not to mention the
very important letters and dispatches which Secre
tary Fish has sent to Gen. Schenck, and the replies
to them from the British Government. The editor,
at the end of his article drew the following conclu-
sion This unfortunate misunderstanding, there
FORE ends the Treaty" The conclusion, from the
facts so economically furnished, was a non sequitw,
and the editor of the organ" has been appro-
priately reprimanded.
But, though the Administration is still in the
midst of correspondence with the British Govern
ment on this troublesome question: well-informed
person in Washington has, during the past week,
doubted that the Treaty cannot be saved by any
thing which this Government can do; for,
though theTo 10 not tho snBnlPSb uouDb thhI
Secretary Fish sorely repents putting into
the case the chapter setting forth the
claims for indirect damages, public opinion Is
so strong that it will not allow him to withdraw
modify it. The question that has been asked to-day
oftener than any Other is, what will be the effect
on the pending negotiations of the overflow of the
Gladstone Ministry7n More than ever since this
misunderstanding arose. shrewd diplomatists have
remarked that the whole course of the Adj
ministration seemed to be dictated by de
sire that the present British Ministry should be
sustained in power and the President has been told
that if he feared change of Government in Eng
land he was mistaken. as any that might succeed
that of Gladstone would be friendly to the United
States as the ore deposed The friends and advisers
of Secretary Fish seem now to have arrived at this
came conclusion and to-day, therefore, dis
cussng the probable result of to-m0rrOws SEES
sion of Parliament The more hopeful believe
that new Ministry would take the ground that
the Arbitration must go on, the British
Government protesting at the same time against
the claims for indirect damages. They think that
the new Ministry would defend themselves with
the people, by saying that they found the Treaty,
such as it was when they came into power; that
they are not responsible for its imperfectlon; and
that there is no way out of the trouble than through
the Geneva Conference. new Ministry, they say,
could do this, while the present one could not The
Administration is greatly concerned for the safety OF
the Treaty, and waits the report of tomorrows seS-
sion of Parliament with much anxiety.