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

THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Opinions Of the English Press ON the United
states Demands.
The London Morning Post maintains that ~,
Is proved to demonstration that Her MaJesty's
government not only did not endeavor TO
place that OF the United States ut q disadvan-
taee by securing its assent TO the abolition of
prvateerlng while leaving the COnfederaics free TO
avai themselves Of that mode OF warfare, but that
1t limited Its action to obtaining from both beger-
ents assent to those new principles or International
law established by The Declaration Of Paris, which
In their operation were manly calculated TO pro-
tect the property Of neutras OH the high seas"
THE AMERICAN DEMANDS.
The Saturday Perie,o says that the admirers OF
the Treaty OF washington are naturally unwilling
to admit that the American CLAIM Is fatal TO the
reputation OF the dlplomatists who fanc,ed
that they had established precedent for ar.
duration as substitute for war. patri-
otto completely III every national wrong
which can be perpetrated or contemplated is III
the United States regarded as the most indispensa-
ole Of public virtues. If they required to pay
the cost OF war supposed to have been prolonged
by their aid or connivance they would not refer the
question to any tribunal OF Geneva or elsewhere,
but would simply DEFY the complainant TO enforce
his demand. The affected confidence in the
fessed by disappointed English enthusiasts probably
causes unmlxed satisfaction In the United States.
It IL true tnat the admission othe American claims
Is simply incOnceivaDle; but II they taken into
formal consideration the treaty Will be conspcu-
Ously exhibited In It's true character OF an abject
capitulatOn. Those WHO pretend that the capture
OF some scores OF merchant vessels prolonged the
war by Two years would scarcely deny that the ALI.
either have secured their permanent independence
have indefinitely postponed tine Northern conquest.
amply suflced for the struggle, and abstinence
from all participation is taxed at ten times the
amount. 1t is notorious that the Emperor OF the
French would have been eager 10 concur with Eng
land In the defence OF Confederate independence
for the purpose OF insnring the success
failed even. to obtain hearing. when
would be TO assist in establishing the independence
OF the COnederacy as check on the arrogance and
would nave been Thought useless 10 Insist that
England should be both neutral and responsible Tor
the cost OF the war; but extreme Difference, when 1t
falls 10 arouse generous feeling, naturally invites in
science and eXtOrtIOn.
NCoNGRUITY BETWEEN THE TREATY AND THE CASE.
speedy and official explanation from our own gov
eminent OF the apparent incongruity between the
to win popularity at the eec,lon. should nave been
| guilty Of stranng to the utmost the letter. and
sn"ula none e that Congress Would cali to ac,
count instead OF supporting so dlscreditaDe pro-
L
believe it, and yet that has not been the case, our
own government has Deen guilty Of the Dlunder VI
| painting its own diplomatic achievement In cOl0rs
very different from those winch the result warrants
and OF adding another to the list Of its grave recent
blunders That, TOO, we can hardly believe; bul
unable to suggest
swTNDLE FROM BEGINNING TO END.
The country, says tie court Journal, Will we hope
never consent to the Geneva Treaty being signed
its behalf without It IS before heard and discussed
| III both houses IN Parliament, ana the basis
OF that discussion We think ought. and
we trust Will be, that 1t is necessary at
ans for m sn anu not 81 yed to an % or
boasts OF his strength to an insulter, or to a
thief who would Lay MS nana q on on our property
casionally, as a nation Notwithstanding what
SAINT Golden said), just as much as for mere manly
| feeling and justice sake we would resist and
not hand quietly over our watch aud purse
to any rascal who might stop us on the highway
| ceeding cost them physical damage that they
would not have had for ten times the value III ques-
or al least resist under fair chances with ali their
| power. We must tell the Amer cans that they are
mistaken II they think we VIII Quietly be robbed IN
posed. They must not rely upon the present enemi-
| nate English administration. Its hours are num-
bered through its various acts OF lncompetency and
arrogance aud any further false step, and perhaps
an early discussion OF what has been done In this
The Alabama afialr is a swindle from beginning
to end. There Is NOT one shadow OF pretext for the
fe Of ne tns was Wen
shores OF England that the United states represent
auves would not give IN any official re-
quest for the arrest OF the vessel though
pressed to do SO. till the eleventh hour and one
would half fancy that, In his diplomatic forecast.
ing, he saw the complications that might arise by
his procrastinatlon. AT the very last moment he
said to the administration, "Stop her p and they
did their hest but 1t was too late; the agent that
was sent to Wales got there IN time to see the
vessel steam down the Irish Channel, and she
showed such lively pair OF heels to pursuit that
that was MADE hopeless. The best was done In good
faith towards the United States that could be- The
whole thing has been, we repeat, o cry on" OF a
perfectly American type. The nature OF the attempt
Is further manifested in the endeav0r to include the
deeds Of number OF other vessels, mere Confederate
blockade rlnners.
The Times wrote on Thursday for the govern
ment one OF Its best and most careful leaders,
and there Is clearly alarm in the Ministry. But 1t
does not hide the truth from the ODservant
reader: on the contrary 1t shows that our neg0ta-
tors were not equal 10 compete with the Americans
The Engshmen expected to be dealt with in an
honorable spirit, and were too reliant on good
lntennon-a fatal error in all business transactions,
to guard against which lawyer Is employed 10 meet
lawyer In the sternest disposition III every
case OF moment our Commissioner left u
fatal l0onh0le In the clause which holds the
words without prejudice" and runs as follows:-
"Ihat In the Hope OF an amicable settlement, no
estimate was made OF the Indirect losses, without
prejudice, however to the right to decentralization
on their account In the event OF such settlement
nave allowed even few pounds 10 be at the mercy
OF words so full OF latitude for after purposes. And
we do not wonder at the Americans using their own
reading OF what Is an ''amicable settlement In
order to take advantage OF the clause without preJu-
dice to indemnlication for indirect losses.