The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-18
THE VOICE OF THE PRESS.


AT last the question became so narrowed down
that a backdown on the part of one of the govern
ments or failure of the treaty became unavoid-
able. Determined that the treaty-negotiated as
1t was in Washington under the eye of the admins
tration-shoud not prove an abortion, our govern
ment does the necessary officiating, and attempts
to justify its action on the himsy preteXt that DC
claims was desired, and that they were only put in
the case In order that the principle" might be
definitely and forever settled. But If the admin
straton did not desire any award in favor of the
United States why were these claims embodied in
the case when they might better have been left outs
ministration stand by them at all hazards even If
tho treaty fell to the grOunds
[From the New Haven Journal, May Ill
Secretary Fish has demonstrated that the treaty
covered the claim and indicated our government
from the charge OF having attempted Yankee
trick. Being thoroughly satisfied that it was right
on this point, we believe tho government Of the
United States should adhere to its position even
though the treaty falls: If 1t does fail, 1t will
De be by the act OF England in refusing to submit to
competent to decide between us, and the claim
should go there and be argued in due course just as
fore the mixed commissioners at Washington. We
stand ready to abide the verdict, whatever it may
treaty. let her do 1t. But let us stand by the po-
sition we have taken in good faith and we shall
world.
From the Columbia Is. C.) Phoenix, May ISL
The Washington Treaty was highly acceptable to
. the people OF the United States. The press,
alike credita6le to 1mericann" 81 II az
fairness and Justice To have 1t fail now and all its
advantages lost, through Grants laundering folly
and insane desire to make political capital out of
negotiation involving such important interests,
cannot fail to fix stigma upon his administration
that even the Presidents war record cannot wipe
away 1t will insure Grants defeat at the polls
in November, beyond peradventure, and despite
even any false step that the democrats may take,
which Is now his only chance anyway. Hence his
iftdn rIp In
ing offers of compromise which he has made. These
being about to 1ail, too, he is probably now con-
and by making show of preparing for war, in
duce the British government to sacrifice some
thing to the cause of peace and accept the virtual
withdrawal ofthe claim for consequential damages,
without demanding an actual modification OF the
American case, which would prove as disastrous TO
Grant as the absolute failure OF the treaty.
from the Cincinnati Gazette, May 1911
This correspondence which the Department Of
State has given to the public Is about the dead
case. The argument OF Secretary Fish was lost.
In fact 1t appeared weak before the incisiye state
ment OF Earl Granville. The fact Is, that General
Schenck's treaty, and not the American newspa-
pers, was the fatal blow to the "case" Our gov
posed to Withdraw the claims, to Indirect losses,
and to make q supplemental treaty providing
that neither Power shall be liable for con-
sequentlal damages growing out OF neglect of due
diligence AS we have nothing to gain by such
treaty it Is proposed merely as diversion. AS in
direct Injuries and consequential damages are
phrases wholly indefinite, and as different clrcum-
stances may make them OF wholly different char
acter, and as all bonds to foreign Power upon an
unknown future matter are Objectionable ana dan
gerous, we shan only make an ENHANCEMENT by
such treaty, without any consideration. 1t would
be far better to Withdraw the claim to indirect
losses withoutth supplemental treaty than with it,
From the Cincinnati Enquirer May 1871
The telegraph favored us last night with the full
correspondence in the Alabama Treaty business
As IL would occupy some ten columns OF our paper,
and require an expenditure OF at least two hours
time upon the part of every healthy, vigorous
reader, we decided to omit It, Stripped OF diplo
matte verbiage, we have the gist OF It in our tele
graphic columns, including the Presidents Message
transmitting the supplemental article to the Senate
and draft OF the supplemental article itsel.
1t Is more than probable that the senate VIII
accept the additional clause. perusa OF the
message and the supplemental article viii convey
q vivid idea of the nature OF the abject surrender
upon the part Of our Government The disgraceful
foreign policy of this incompetent administration
should be alone sufficient to damn 1t.
From the Germantown pa Chronicle, May III
At last the administration, having got itself aud
the country into most wonderful snarl, gives up
in despair and throws the burden OF its response
bility upon the Senate. more pitiabe piece OF
diplomatic and political history has not been
written for many years.
From the Philadelphia Age, May Il.
"Save the Treaty. is now the cry OF the organs Of
the administrations but IL is its credit they try.
ing to save After turning out MI. Motley as a
Minister and ejecting Nj. Sumner rom the chair
manship OF the Committee OF Foreign Affairs the
administration brought the negotiation TO Wash
ington, and their made the greatest botch that was
ever heard OF in the annals Of nsincere and tricky
diplomacy Great Britain owes TO American mer.
chants an indemnity OF about nineteen millions OF
dollars for captured vessels. Instead OF getting
this, our wseacres have been camoring for the
privilege of arguing q claim before arbitratOrs,
which all the world declares TO be preposterous and
ridiculous. The substance has been sacrificed TO
the shadow
From the Wilmington IN. C) Morning STAR May 15
To deal with great questions OF international law,
such as the settlement Of the Alabama claims, there
is requisite liberal supply OF arge.brained states
manship of the practical kind In such matters
cheap patriotism third rate lawyers tricks and rash
over-zea the very worst qualifications The ma
ton that goes into negotiating the terms OF treaty
on such capital this will find Itself Of every stage
at the most grievous disadvantage AMI may make
ultimate shipwreck OF its cause. THIS Is exactly
what President Grant and Mr.. Fish aid In the
matter OF the consequential damages. mere at
torncys trick OF claiming more than we were en-
titled TO- In order that might secure what was
really our own, has brought about hitch In the
negotiations that may cause England to break on