New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-18
SURRENDER TO ENGLAND.
PROSPECTS OF THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE
WASHINGTON TREATY

IN THE SENATE REGARDED AS FATAL TO
THE ADDITIONAL ARTICLE.
LONDON, Friday, May II, 1874
The Supplemental Article to the Treaty Of WASH
ngton continues to be the most prominent Object OF
public attention. The leading editorial article OF
every London morning paper is devoted 70 the sub
ject. The delay of the American Senate in acting
upon the proposed article is regarded fatal to it,
At meeting of the Exeter Chamber Of Commerce,
tonight Sir Stafford Northcote, who presided made
speech, In which he alluded TO the negotiations
preceding the signing Of the Treaty of Washington
He stated that the understanding Of the British
Commissioners was that O promise had been
given that the claim for indirect dam
ages should not be presented. But it
was necessary that the American Senate should not
be placed in position requiring confession that
wrong had been DONE On q previous occas,on tho
matter had been treated in statesmanhke manner;
no petty question then admitted. II the Senate
now dealt as it did with the negotiation Of
last year. settlement might be counted on as sure
TO be made.
LONDON, Saturday, May 49, is7a
The correspondence between the British and
American Governments is published and commented
on by the journals. which generally express hope OK
a favorable decision by the Senate.
ACTION OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE on FOREIGN
RELATIONS-STRONG CONDEMNATION OF IHE
ADMINISTRATION BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUgRl
WASHINGTON May livery little sympathy 10 ex-
pressed by the members of the House Committee
Foreign Affairs for the Administration in the de-
plorable dilemma in which it has placed itself on the
indirect damages question. Republican member
of the Committee said. in conversation to-day,
that the course of the Administration IN re-
gard to the Treaty had been marked by
an entire lack of dignity and craftsmanship. lie
said Bancroft Davis had drawn the American case
in the same spirit in which q pettifoggiDg lawyer
argues before country Squire. Davis did not at
first set up the claim for consequential damages az
distinct proposition, but had skllfully scattered
that sentiment throughout the He
understood that, upon reading the prepared
by Davis Fish conceived the idea of setting up the
clam as a separate proposition, but Caleb Cushing,
being called upon to counsel in the premises streDu
Ously protested against Fishs idea, urging that it
should be put in delicate way generally,
with view to the favorable influence snch
claim might have in determining tho
amount of direct damages in individual cases. but
that finally yielding to Mr. Fsh's determination to
make distinct claim for consequential damages,
Cushing drew up that part of the case IN compli-
ance with Fshs desire. England did not at inst
object because she feared that the consequential
claims would be allowed by the tribunal, for
no eminent publicist in Europe had ever thought
they would be; but the character OF the Tribunal
itself had recently been observed by Great Britain
with serious apprehension not being Of the highest;
besides, the Emperor of Russia was credited by En-
gish statesmen with being constantly watchIul for
an opportunity to crafty deep feeling Of hatred
be has for Great Britain. England, therefore, felt
there was no safety except in abandoning the Treaty
entirely OF compelling a complete back
down on the part Of the United States
from the claim for indirect damages. Tho
member strenuously condemned tho recent
proposal of the Administration TO withdraw the in
direct claims, and declared that the whole ease,
from beginning to end, had been bungled and ms
managed. He believed that the Treaty would
stand but that it would be without
the consequential claim, which, he said,
had been injudiciously made, and which was now
about to be abandoned in a cowardly and unmanly
way Nothing of interest has occurred to
day in connection with the Treaty puddle.
The Senate Foreign Committee held another
long session to-day and will continue its de-
alterations tomorrow, when it is expected some
conclusion will be reached The Senate itself mani
tests no haste to act upon the question which the
President has submitted, as the Administration
majority TO fear that, whatever they do, they
will in the end wish they had taken different
course
Aside from the Senator'S themselves, who very
unwilling to talk about the subject, the matter is
discussed more as political subject than a grave
international question What will be the effect Of
this or that course Grants chances of reelection is
the question that has been asked, to-day, oftener
than any other and if it could be answered posi-
lively 1t would be safe to predict the course
that would be advised by many of Grants thick
and-thin supporters. 1t is fair to say however that
Some of the most earnest denomination men
give to this proposed surrender no countenancc at
all, but condemn the whole business in unmeasured