The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-08

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ssuL" he does not share the opinion that we are
asking for more than We expected or more than we
shall get the treaty, he thinks. does not
INFRINGE IN ANY WAY ON OUR RIGHT
to present our to the tribunal as best pleases
us nor will IT prevent the aybtrators from giving us
an award In accordance with the principles he ad-
vocsted in opposing the former treaty with England.
'Have you read my speech. STRIP said the Sen.
ator. at embodies everything have to say ON
the subject. and see no reason why should not
adhere to it in this crisis,
GRAVE AS IS THE CRISIS"
1t is plain from all this that Mr. Sumner will not
yield an inch to the English demand but stand by
the case to the end. This disposition ia universal
among the public men now In washington, no.
body agreeing for moment to anything like
concession or withdrawal
long search to-day failed to discover a man
who was
WILLING TO SAY BACK DOWN
once. and the speech Of Mr.. Gladstone, as reported
this morning, has had the effect of getting up In
dignatipn where before there was only calm de,
termination.
~ - PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
There is nothing *afliks in the tone Of public
sentiment here. but something akin TO Indifference
whether England throws down the gauntlet or
backs down herself. 1t is admitted that our navy
Is In deplorable condition. and even the construc-
ton OF the ten steam vessels. as proposed by the
bill now under consideration by the House Com
mittee on Naval Anairs would not strengthen our
force to any great extent. BY the time the vessels
could be completed other vessels now IN commits
sion and carrying 1928 guns would have to be thrown
aside as
UNFIT FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.
Among these are mentioned the Guerriere. which
has just returned from tue Mediterranean; the
Congress- out for the last time the Severn just
put out of commission: the Worcester, replacing
the Severn 10 the North Atlantic neet for such time
as she may be seaworthy and the Nantasket and
Swatara of the North Atlantic fleet, and the Re-
SAGA, of the Pacific neet These were hurriedly
built during the late war, and being made
of unseasoned white oak timber, they could
not be repaired to any advantage. 1t is the
duty OF the war Department to protect
the cities and ports of the country, and
1t is the opinion of our leading naval officers that
upon the army would the
DEFENCE OF OUR HARBORs
mostly depend. In this matter the views of the
President printed in the HERALD on Tuesday are
especially valuable. looking they did to q system
of torpedo defence which would make our leading
cities impregnabe TO British feet.
For the present the whole question Is so
entirely question of diplomacy that 1t is impos-
sIblc to obtain opinions the possible military and
naval future beyond those which the HERALD has
already published.
The Secretary Of State denies that any recent
and notning has come to hand to-day which the
State Department is willing to make public.
British Members OF the Joint High Commis-
sion Aware of the Extent Of Our Claims.
WASHINGTON, Feb 7, 1872.
The position taken by gentlemen closely connected
with the administration OF the government Is tina,
the British High Commissioners perfectly under
stood the views OF the American High commits
sioners in the negotiation OF the Treaty Of Wash
ingron, both from its terms and the assertions IN
the PROTOCOL and that therefore, our government 4:
altogether justified in presenting he as 1t mas
claiming consequential damages.
In case the Board Of Arbitrstors shall not award
q gross sum IN satisfaction OF the so-called Ala
bama claims, this government Is willing to stand
by the decision OF the arbitrators 1t Is known
that though the British Commissioners had
full powers, they frequently consulted thelI
home government and acted in accordance
with its wishes in all they did. 1t is officiay as
serted that II the claim for consequential damages
had not been presented and was not to be
passed upon, there might DC q complaint by
the people OF the United States that provi.
sion was made for q partial settlement only
OF the differences between the two countries.
Such claim was therefore presented for full
settlement In the interest OF peace, to preclude
future disputes. This government has not yet
received the text OF the letter from Lord Granville
to General Schenck, and, therefore, cannot take
oicial action upon It. There Is no probability what
ever that our government will withdraw any part
Of It's statement Of the case, but will leave the
British government to pursue its own course or the
Tribunal OF Arbirators to act in the premises accord
ing to treaty stipulation, is 1t likely that our
counsel will take any action In order to accommo-
date the British government.
THE SITUATION IN ENGLAND
Earl GrauvilIe's Circular and Dcnnition OF
the Treaty.