New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-28
DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.
| STATEMENT BY LORD GRANVILLE AND yR. GLAD
STONE OF THE PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE
GENEVA TRIBUNAL.
LONDON, Thursday, June 81, 1872
When the House of Lords assembled tins afternoon
there was full attendance of Peers, and the visitors
| GALLERY was crowded, the announcement having
been made that Earl Granville would make state
| ment relative to the Alabama Claims Arbitration.
Shortly after the meeting of the House, Earl Gran
Vile arose and returned his thanks to their Lord
sbps for their uniform disposition to leave the Gov
ernment unembarrassed during the negotiations
relative TO the indirect claims between the English
and American Governments. He then stated that he
had inst received telegram from Geneva, wherein
he was informed that the Tribunal Of Arbitration no
longer desired secrecy during its deliberations Earl
Granville then proceeded Ito make the following
statement:
The Board Of Arbitration under the Treaty OF
Washington met at Geneva on the 10th INST. Inc
agent of the United States presented printed argu
ment referring to the points whereon his Govern
ment relied The English agent presented no argu-
ment but made statement that, whereas differences
still existed between the two Governments England
asked for an adjournment of the Board. The United
States agent was unable to answer and the tribunal
adjourned until the 18th, and again until the 18TH
the second time because the American Representa-
tiyes were still without instructions. At the
meeting on the 10th inst. the arbitrators
made statement on the questions at
issue between the two Governments, carefully
guarding themselves. The purport OF their state
ment is that after careful perusal of everything
said by the representatives Of the United States
touching the indirect claims, the Arbitrators have
individually and collectively concluded that the
said indirect claims do not constitute, upon pinci-
ples of international law, good foundation for
awards of damages between nations and should be
wholly excluded floIa consd gation, and would
have been even if 10 Disagreement arisen as to
the competency of the tribunal to decide thereon
The Arbitrators informed the agents of both Gov
ernments of their decision. They asked Lord Ten
terden what observations he had to make, and he
replied none. similar question having been put
IN Mr.. Davis the American agent he said he had no
ronlv 70 make at present and asked for an adjourn
ment An adjournment until the 26th was there
upon agreed to by the ArbitratOrs; but the Amerl-
cans received instructions earlier than they expected
and the Board was informed on Tuesday last that
the United States would not further insist on the
indirect claims before the Tribunal and that they
night be excluded from all consideration.
At this point Earl Granville was interrupted with
lond cheers from all parts of the House. He con-
tinued:
Lord Tenterden then asked for an adjournment of
one day, to allow him to obtain final instructions
from London. At the meeting of the Board to-day,
England on the ratification of the withdrawal Of
tbe indirect claims, withdrew her request for long
adjournment, and the argument by counsel on the
details of the business before the tribunal is now
proceeding.
Lord Granville, amid continued and hearty cheer
ing concluded with an expression of hope that the
relations of the two great kindred nations would be
barmonized and strengthened by the Treaty of
Washington.
After the excitement occasioned by the statement
of Earl Granville had subsidized, Lord Cairns arose
and congratulated the House upon the favorable
decision of the Tribunal Of Arbitration. Had it,
said he been otherwise the position of the English
Government would have been awkward.
Earl Granville denied that there was any ground
for the insinuation INDUCED in by Lord Cairns
Lord Buckhurst announced that, in view OF the
statement which had just been made by Earl Gran
Vile. he would withdraw the notice he had hereto
fore given Of his intention to question the Govern
ment relative to the adjournment of the Tribunal of
Arbitration.
In the House of Commons, Mr.. Gladstone made a
statement similar to that of Earl Granville in the
House of Lords and in conclusion said " i am at
England and America, relative TO the indirect
claims, is ended" The Premier was repeatedly in
terrupted by cheers during his remarks and, when
he had finished, the applause was long-continued
Mr. Gladstone also stated that he thought short
adjournment of the Tribunal of Arbitration was
probable in order to give the members an opportu-
nifty TO consider the arguments Of the British and
American Governments.
Mr.. Wyndham complained that, for the sake Of the
present temporary convenience, the Government had
sacrificed the future rights of the country touching
any kind Of indirect claims. Mr. Disraeli put the
following question to Mr.. Gladstone: Is the with
drawal of the indirect claims by the American Gov
ernment limited TO their consideration by the
Geneva Tribunal onlyp
Mr. Gladstone, in reply, said the controversy be-
tween the two nations has been limited TO the scope
of arbitration on the basis of the Queens speech at
the opening of the present session of Paria-
ment. The arguments of Great Britain. from
the begipning of the dispute was invariably
that she could not consent TO any award
OF proceedings by the Tribunal of Ar
btration OIL the indirect claims. Whether the