The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-02-13

the Royal speech in reference to the ar
bitr; on Of the Alabama claims He ami
madverted at some length upon the
Treaty of Washington,and for the faults
of which he blamed the Foreign Secre
tary, Earl Granville and Premier Glad
stone. In view of the developments
which had been made by the asscmblage
Of Arbitrators at Geneva, Disraeli wan
ted to know why the Government was
exultant over the edifcation it had Civ
en- to Parliament on the subject The
Royal speech was s.gnally unsatisfac
tory, and showed, in his opinion, that
the Government still lacked a proper
appreciation of the gravity of tie ques
ton at issue between England and the
United States. The American claims
were greater than those which would
follow a total conquest. They were
prepostcrous and impractical, and if adj
mitted would be fatal to the power and
honor of England. Yet, said Disraeli,
snccringly, the whole subject is dispos-
cd Of in one brief paragraph of the
Royal speech.
Mr. Gladstone Followed in reply. He
said the Treaty of Washington itself
shows that England is ready to make
every concession short of National hon
or 10 establish friendly relations with
America, to set an example to be fol.
lowed by other nations bencefoTth. The
Government, said the Premier, is ready
to explain every thing in connection
with the treaty, but it will not admit
that it has unwittingly made a mistake.
The paragraph in he treaty is the only
tair and unmistakahe Interpretation Of
the treaty He could, if he desired,
refer to the prcposterous character Of
the American demands, which of itself
proved their absurdity, for they were
sch rs no people in the last extremity
of war and il the lowest depths Of ma
tionsl misfortune. with the spirit of the
people Of England in their hearts, would
ever submit to- Cheers Nj Glad,
stone concluded hl saying the Govern
ment would maintain the position it haa
taken firmly, though in friendly man
ncr.
THE CABINET on THE SITUATION.
WASHINGTON, February 6.-The Cab
met to day discussed, in an informal
manner the recent reports from Eng
land, with reference to the Treaty OF
Washington. There Was all unanimitv
of sentiment to adhere te the position
assumed by our Government, relative
the so called Alabama claims
At that time the reference to 1t in the
Queens speech was not known There
were throughout the day many inquiries
In all circles as to the tone of the speech
toward the United States, and general
satisfaction was expressed when it was
ascertaiued to be friendly. There is no
disposition, however, in any quart ter. to
consent to q modification of the posi-
ton our Government has taken.
LONDON, February THE subject OF
the treaty Of Washington and claims
Of the American Government fer indi
rect damages was again introduced in
the House of Commons to-day and gave
rise to another exciting discussion
Ralph Osborne, the member for Water
ford ty,addressed the House at length,
and in the course of his remarks said
! the Alabama question was the most
momentous one England had been call
ed to pass upon within century; he
compared the astute lawyers who com
posed the American Commission with
the novices who represented England,
and said the latter had been completely
outwitted "lf," said he, "lawyers had
planned the English case, we could es-
cape with the payment of six millions
pounds sterling: The American Com
missioners had served their country
well and achieved triumph" Osborne
continuing,and the trouble lay at home 4;
the Government had armies which could
not march, ships which were unseawor-
thy, and now had treaty which they
could not stand upon.
Arthur j. Otwaay, formerly under
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
blamed the Government for all the
trouble which had been wrought; he
thought, however, that the American
Government would recede from its ex-
treme demands, but said in case she did
not, England, having admitted the prin
ciple of indirect claims, must be pre-
pared to meet the enormous demands
of the United States.
Mr. Gladstone and several other
members defended the action of the
Commissioners and Of the Govern
ment, and said they hoped the Ameri-
can claim for indirect damages would
be withdrawn.