New-York tribune., 1872-12-02
AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.
THE ALABAMA NEGOTIATIONS.

BERLIN, Oct A.-Dr. Heinrich Geffcken, O
German publlcst has just published at Stuttgart little
pamphlet entitled "Die Alabama-Frage." AS IL was
written before the final Judgment OF the Geneva ArD-
traitors had been given, and brings the subject down
only the day which the indirect claims were rued
out II possesses In It's bearings the issue itself only
faint posthumous interest; but 1t has Significance OF
another sort which renders II worthy OF notice. IL
presents with great accuracy, but under thick CLOAK
of technical language, the current continental view
of our great Anglo-Saxon controversy had occasion
10 study that view at the time OF the agitation over tne
indirect claims, and was surprised at the unanimi'y
which prevailed all Europe. French and German
Journals which at nearly every other SUD
ject, seemed regard the relations between Engana
and America from n point OF view, ana 70 reacnJ
by the same chain OF reasoning an Identical concuson
Dr. Gecken is therefore the mouthpiece OF an opinion
which was held in common by the Dtba Of Paris, the
Kreus Zeitno of Berlin and the Gem Free Prcsse OF
Vienna and which is to-day an article OF faith .with
every Cabinet OF Europe. His book Ia more than
treatise on the Alabama question is really work on
American diplomacy in which the Alabama question Is
taken only for text illustration. It this which
gives his hundred pages peculiar interest," and it Is
for this that have made brief sketch OF the Leading
thought which they set forth.
1t must be understood that Dr. Gefcken, liko four
ffths OF the intelligent men tho continent con-
vnced that Engands course during our civil war was
willfuy and crminay partial TO tho South, that the
escape Of tho privaeers offense against public
law, and that reparatoD therefor was justly due.
single citation will give fair idea Of his views on the
main question In his Introductory chapter after de-
nuing intervention neutrality, etc., he continues "The
most unfortunate position that State can hold Is that
of socaled benevolent neutrality for one sde when
must be malevolent for the other-eadng TO AWKWARD
quarrels and often to war itself. sueh position En-
gland took in the which FOR four years the Southern
States waged against the Union. The laboring casse
and party led by John Bright standing on the side
OF the North demanded only honest neutrality; but
the sympahes the aristocraey and tho ruling classes
were openly for the South and unmakaby shaped the
policy Of the Government" With equally firm and
free hand he brushes away the absurd pretense that the
Joint High Commission was sent out from pure motives
OF Christian benevolence Is not this passage refresh
ing by the side OF the maudn sentiments which one
hears SO often at aiter-dnner speeches between
English and Americans - 1.-THE y question slept
(page 4O till January, 1su when Earl Granville, under
the pressure Of an almost menacng message from
the President the Russian blow at the neutrality OF the
Black Sea- and the FrancoGerman war; offered to send
q grand diplomatic commission TO Washington" Next
comes recapitulaton ofcertan complaints which have
been advanced by the United States at one time and
another-such the premature concession OF beger-
ent rights the business in blockade running
etc. all Of which the writer pronOunces morally sound,
but legally unsound Then taking up the case at the
date Of the Joint High Commission he follows 1t down,
with running comments til the oath OF June, when the
tribunal decided against the indirect claims. This de-
cision he fully approves.
In the negotiation which led to the meeting OF the Joint
Commission in the conferences OF the Commission, in the
drafting Of the Treaty and protocols nthe weary skr
mishing about the supplementary treay-in short In all
the steps down to the last the writer sees only sort
of victorious progress for the United States On
their side there is nothing but firm and skful dipo-
macy on the other blundering and weakness from GIN
ming 10 end Gen. Schencks famous explanatory etters
rbans the only mistake which the Americans commit
teu Eyon the letter. however, did not much afford a
triumph over the Uneds as the means Of triumph
by the Ministry the opposition since 1t ONLY served
TO quiet Earl Russell, without settling the difficulty 1t
had the appearance OF concession and was therefore
an error Aside from this letter. tho United States held
throughout consistent attitude, guided, Their side OF
the controversy with cool aud clear brain and made
the English Cabinet-timid, vaeillating, awkward
again and agan the butt every continental statesman
transcribe here the glowing judgment Of Dr. Heinrich
Gefcken And he draws this remarkable conclusion,
which is given In his own words; Whoever has dealt
with American dipomatists knows that generally they
arc remarkably sharp-wtted agents, who hold with
great tenacy TO their pretensions who never give up
position once TAKEN and who try to cut down necessary
concessions to such point that they seem to be OF
importance"
IL strains ones mOdesty n little to accept the full
force OF this compliment, and very many Americans
will not recognize triumphal march in Mr. Flshs man
agement OF the indirect claims. But DR.. Getcken is
both dipomatst and pubclst, and II am not mis-
taken he speaks in this sentence the opinion OF large
majority OF his colleagues in both professions. Amer
cans at home are not always proud Of their diplomatic
service They see that it often shelters weak or pro
rata adYenturers and they detect grave faults " its
general conduct These complaints are rarely. un-
founded But there IS brighter side OF the picture and
IL NAV not be Improbable to avail ourselves OF an i'm
partial foreign observer who holds 1t up for our nspec
ton 1t is true that Dr. Gchckens comparison is with
the English diplomatic service and English diplomacy
has not stood high IN Europe since the death OF Pamers
tom The general unpopularlty Of England also encour
aces such comparisons. Without any special love OF
admiration for America, the continental writer's are
fond OF recording her alleged victories over
Great Britain, and Of extolng tho superb
ority OF her statesmen. Tho feeling even
antedates the fall Of the Palmerston rt9'me.
Sir Henry Bulwer accounted very clever man. but
any French Journalist show how he was wholly out
witted in tho Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. once saw an
elaborate French pamphlet in which this thesis was suA
tanned. Now there is other country in the wor ia
winch diplomacy is so much Of profession as in En-
Gland The appointments regulated by system but
little less rigid than the military or naval service Pro-
oop follows surely I'm the course OF time. The opera
ton OF this system brings mon like Lord Lyons by way
OF South America and Washington to Paris whch Is the
summit OF a diplomatic career. Now LORD Lyons IAN
ACCOMPLISHED gentleman, and can give a fine dinner
marty and Mr. Washburne Is not model diplomatist;
but the voice Of the latter in political circles is ton times
as influential as that OF the former.y The Hayas News
Agency watches him carefully as 1t watches Theirs
himself The fact is that Lord Lyons is mere creature
of routine andj red tape. The.secret OF English d
ploruacy was lately barred TO the world In an
amusing manner Ivy Prof. Montagu Bernard, in
a speech upon the TreatyYof Washington. The
Commissioners he said had been blamed for suffering
Ambiguous language to creep into the Treaty. but was
often wise in negotiations OF that sort to employ ess
eccurate language" This Is the in nutshell The
Professor Is lecturer diplomacy, and he las been 10