Worcester daily spy., 1872-05-06

WHAT WAS DONEf
WASHINGTON, May 4.-rhere was consulta.
ton, Saturday, at the state department, between
the president, secretary of state and members
oil the house and senate committee on foreign
affairs and relations. The fact created earnest
comment in news circles, but nothing was de.
Veloped in relation to the object or result of the
conference. The democratic members of the
committee were not invited. Those who have
been questioned on the subject of the conference
say they do not feel at liberty TO disclose it, the
understanding being that their business should
be kept secret Conjecture is however (frOm an
incidental remark of one of the members) that
the Alabama claims were under consideration.
ARBITRATION GOSSIP.
There has been no change in the position of
the Alabama question since the recent semi
official publication, in which it was said that
the claims for indirect damages have not been
and would not be withdrawn. This government
has not, in its statement or counter statement
asked the tribunal arbitratOrs to draw anv dis
tinctiOn between the two classes of claims for
direct and indirect damages; but both have been
submitted together, in the hope that the tri-
Dunal Will exercise tue powers conferred upon
it to award a sum in gross to be paid by Great
Britain to the United States. The suggestion
that we would not ask the tribunal for any
moneycd consideration for indirect damages, pro
yided Great Britain would not claim compeu-
Sation for similar injuries under like cir
cumstanceS, was discussed by prominent
gentlemen of both countries before intination
was made to Great Britain that we would ac-
cept it as an easy and satisfactory solution of
the present difficulty. But it appears from con-
versatiOns in prominent circles that Great Brit
ain does not deem it necessary to officially make
the declaration, or to enter into such stipula-
ton, for the reason that she never admitted the
principle of the claims for indirect damages as
between nations, and adhereS to her position on
the question as heretofore expressed.
COMMITTEE MATTERS.
The senate committee on naval affairs report
adversely on the bill providing for the advance
ment of Homer g. Blake one grade in the navy
by special act Of congress, as without prece-
dent and saying that no promotion should be
made, and no officer dismissed by sentence of
court martial should be restored, except on rec
ommendation of the president; and that the law
allowing the advance of any officer thirty mum
bers in his own grade should be repealed.
The senate post Office committee reported in
favor of the renewal of the present contract car
rying mails to Cuba.
ALMOST A RIOT.
There was large turnout of colored Odd Eel
lows of this city to-day to attend the funeral of
a deceased brother at Alexandria. There were
indications of disturbance between the excur-
sionists and people of that city together with
number of roughs from Washington. Mayor
Latham in person headed the Alexandria police,
and aided by a number of citizens prevented
serious riot. Some thirty or forty arrests were
made. Mayor Richardson of Washington had
body of police at the wharf upon the return Of
the excursion boats, but there was no occasion
for arrests