The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-06-19
The Geneva Arbitration.

New York, June 1S.-A spcciul to the
Herald from Geneva, yesterday. says: "The
English are resoute for am eight months adj
1ournment, and The indications are that il
this is not granted they will withdraw from
the arbitration. This the Americans will
not conccde, though a shorter adjournment
might be accepted.
"Very little was transacted before the
Board to-day besides the announcement OF
Mr.. Davis Of the noG-vccption of iiistruc-
tions from his Government" ay
.WAsIlINGToN, June lS.-The. situation OF
affairs in Geneva, which eNctes much COM
| ment, is as follows: Up to Saturday last
| Great Britain had moved side by side with
the United States in the business before the
tribunal, when there was an interruption by
| the representatives of the former Govern
ment, who defend their argument in the
| case, their object being to obtain IN eXtcn-
sion of time in order TO secure Il moditica-
ton of the additional article To- the treaty.
The question of postponencnt hnd been
previously discussed diplomatizlliy between
| the two Governments, but to this our own
had not given its assent, as it was the con-
cern Of Great Britain and not ours to ask
for IN extension of time should she be un-
prepared or indisposcd to argue the case at
present. Our Government has not nor does
not propose TO object to such 4 proceeding
and will do nothing to give England pre-
text for withdrawing from the arbitration.
It is considered within the power of the
| tribunal to grant postponcment for Il re:i-
sonable time, or until the Senate shall again
meet to act upon such modification Of the
amended additional article as may he pro-
| posed. Our Government has not the power,
! and it may be said has no dispositian, to
make such modification in the absence Of
the advice and counsel OF the Senate, that
body having been consulted with regard to
the article as originally presented to it by
| the President. AS no extra session Of the
Senate will be called, the court mast await
| the session Of That body in regular course.
The entire subject has been discussed by
those who have direction OF it, and one OF
tue views taken of it Is that If the case should
now proceed and the arbitrators should, in
the language Of the treaty, "fail to award q
! sum in gross" then the other alternative--a
board of assessors~-is to be appointed to de-
termne the liability as to each vessel. SO, IN
case OF the failure of the arbitrators, there
| must necessarily be some months delay IN
the appointment of the assessors, and there
fore. it Is said, our Government has little or
nothing to gain by the postponenlent which
Great Britain desires. =, ..+., .sl-4. z5sgy.
Besides this, there are other parts of, the
treaty the execution of which have. been
postponed by our Goyernment-riz., as to
| navigation transit and the fisheries, and
| under all circumstances it is considered the
delay can work. no evil to This Government,
but merely postpone the payment of money
| which may be awarded. ..,5 81.
While our Government does not favor de-
| law. it will leave Great Rritainto take its own
course, so that if the treaty should fall it shall
! not be rightfully attributed to any act on the
Tart of the United States. II should be said
however, that no fears are at present entcr.
taiped in that direction, and there il. no in.
formation to warrant conclusion That tue
| efforts to adjust the differences will be iDef
-fecttlal. f,tass,-E.af..