The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-16
Tho Meeting mt Geneva Yesterday
Submission or the Counter Claims.


The long expected event of the century,
the one act which was to signalize the union
of the English speaking races and prevent
future wars by finding in arbitration solu-
| ton for the troubles which hitherto have led
to wars, took place yesterday by the classic
shores Of Lake Leman. But the ''event Of
joy was one of sorrow. Instead of that
dearly craved harmony there was sorrow, slls-
picion and protest; for the act of reconcila-
ton has become really one Of anger. and, in
stead of celebrating under the peaceful Alps
festival of peace, the ministers of the two
| great countries meet almost as ministers of
war.
Our dispatches tell us how, at Geneva,
yesterday, Lord Tenterden, representing
Her Britannia Majesty and Messrs.
Caleb Gushing and J. G. Bancroft Davis, on
documents touching their respective cases on
the Alabama claims, the English documents
being submitted with protest and that touch
ing the contents of these papers secrecy was
enjoincd unless pressure from Parliament
shall compel Her Majesty's government to
divulge the character Of said protest. For the
information Of our readers, in regard to the
submission Of these documents it will be found
on turning to the Treaty of Washington, that
after providing for the meeting at Geneva of
the five arbitrators agreed upon for the settle
ment of the so-called Alabama claims, and for
the submission Of the written or printed case
of each Of the two parties to each one of the
arbitrators it is further provided that "within
four months after the delivery on both sides of
the written or printed case either party may. in
like manner, deliver in duplicate to each of the
said arbitrators, and to the agent of the other
party a counter case and additional documents,
correspondence and evidence in reply to the
case" &C., Of the other party. Those docu-
ments exchanged yesterday at Geneva between
the agents of the high contracting parties were
the counter cases thus authorized by the treaty.
The arbitrators were not present
But what is this accompanying English pro-
test? Mr.. Gladstone, in his explanation in
the House of Commons, says that his counter
case contains no allusion to indirect damages,
but that ga note (the protesD accompanied the
case containing declaration OH the part of the
government for the purpose of reserving all
rights appertaining to the Queen in this arbi-
tlation, so that in future the government would
not be fettered by any implied compromise,
which is stating the substance of the protest us
mildly rs possible Earl Granville, under
sharp cross-examination in the House of Lords,
said that England was in position to with
draw from the arbitration, if pushed too far
on these indirect damages, but pretty broadly
intimated, nevertheless, that the arbitration was
not yet to be interrupted. Meantime it appears
that a majority OF the London newspapers,
in their discussions of these counter cases, hold
to the opinion that the Ministry must adhere
to the position taken against the submis-
sion to arbitration of the indirect claims
presented in the American case, and,
Judging from Mr.. Gladstone's statement
to Parliament last night, in reply to
Disraeli, it appears if Her Maiesty's Minis
ters have in this instance been obedient to the
prompting and advice of the press. We sup
pose that this English protest is pro-
test against the retention in the American case
Of our claims for consequential damages and
against the consideration of these claims by
the Tribunal of Arbitration if persisted in by
our government. There may be also en-
brced in the remonstrance notification that
unless this demand on the part of England
shall be respected she will withdraw from
the arbitration and destroy the Treaty. In
the opinion of the learned counsellors APP
pointed to plead before the Geneva Tribunal
the cause of our CASE Messrs. Cushing, Davis
IL ~.
bound to adjudicate the Alabama claims after
the delivery of the counter cases. even should
one of the litigants Withdraw. 1t is sufficient,
however, for the present that the Conference is
not yet to be dismissed; that the business of
the arbitration is to go on although under
British protest in reference to our claims for
indirect damages This is point gained in
favor Of the ultimate fulGlment of the Treaty,
and as there is no necessity for haste in this
business on the part of Mr.. Gladstone, in
asmuch Mr.. Fish is evidently disposed
to give him ample time for delberation,
we think that the alternative to England of
war with the United States may be considered
as definitely abandoned.
In any event. as the American case, as
originally submitted, meets the general APP
proval of the American people, it is unques-
tionably strong point for General Grant in
reference to the Presidential succession, and
cannot be safely abandoned. Not IN opposi-
sition politician, active and untiring as the
opposition politicians have become in search
ing for the weak points of the administration,
not one, we say, has been found to arraign
charge Of a false Interpretation of the Washing
ton Treaty of in justice to England in his bill
Of indirect damages in these Alabama claims.
The bitterest Of the anti-Grant republican
leaders, while assailing Grant as falling