Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-05-31

WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Ma
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.


THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The endorsement by tho Senate OF an adj
dtlonal article to the Treaty of Washington was
governed by 4 strong desire. In which the
President shared, to remove the differences
which threatened the prosecution OF tho arbi-
tration under tho treaty, which, Il year ago, the
same Senate eInphaticalv ratified and which
was designed 10 settle, in an alnIcable m1nneT,
all causes OF differences between the United
States and Great Britain Tt Is known from
official and private advices that Great Britain
was dete mined to withdraw from the arbitra-
ton should tho United States persist in the
presentation CT claims for Indirect damagc
add II ~ further known that the United States
was for some time, under these circum-
stances, disposed To throw the RESPONSE
bllity OF the threatened failure Of the treaty
upon Great Britain, our Government insisting
that it had right to present these claims with
the others before the Tribunal. in order that the
principle involved might he settled. though not
expecting to receive mOned consideration,
and Great Britain, with its view of the case,
was disposed to throw the responsibility OF
failure 10 arbitration upon the I nited States.
The vote taken last night III the Senate is re
Sarded as an expression OF the views OF large
majority or the Senate against the claims tor
indirect damages in view of a like admission
the part of Great Britain against the United
States i'll a future contingency and under cir
cu1hStahces similar to those IN which the obJec-
tionabIe class OF claims originated The Presi-
dent, as thus advised, has already, by the Sec
rotary OF State, taken measures through the
Atlantic cable TO procure the assent OF the
British Government to the article as amended
DT the senate, with a view OF putting IN treaty
form q declaration against indirect damages,
which the United States have now abandoned,
and which Great Britain asserts she never
claimed for herself against other powers.
During the consideration OF the subject, in
executive session, it was thought at times that
i the article would fail to receive the requisite
two-thiTds vote, owing to the contrariety Of
views presented. Not less than six amendments
| were offered to effect the desired end.
. Conflicting reports prevail DIS to the vote adj
! visins and cUnsenting to the Presidents nego-
tlatihg treaty on the proposed basis; but forty
! against nine seems to be the more lehable
statement. a number Of Senators, though
| present, did not vote.
The article, as endorsed, is changed i'll I;hra-
seoloSy from the original, though preserving
the prlnple sought to be established by the two
= Governments with regard tn consequential
damages. The precise language OF the article
viii not be officially made Known until it shall
have been ratified, and if is ccrta i'll that il the
double injunction OF secrecy imposed on Sena-
tors shall be respected by all OF them, it calIiOt
+ he known through that source. Although mary
Senators last night declined to give any hint
and even rel used to converse upon the result OF
! the action Of the Senate il WAS known by those
whose business it was to seek for the iniorma-
4 ton within halt an hour after that body had ter
! minated their nine hours continuous session,
with doors closed and guarded and other pre-
/ cautions taken to prevent unauthorized dis
closures.
+ 1t is believed that Great Britain will assent
| to the modification of the article as she now
/ y it'll the United States is anxious for the Til
! hunal OF Arbitration 10 proceed without further
hindrance.
According to report the debate on the subject
| before the senate was earnest throughout, the
majority OF those who participated i'll it being
influenced by deS're to remove the obstruc-
( lions III way which would preserve the Ma
! tional dignity while a few others were intlexi-
bic i'll their opposition, il assent to the waiv-
! ing Of the claims for indirect damages would be
lowering the American flag to the dust and al
! lowing the British to walk Overit
The subject will next come before the Senate
on the ratification of the article.
The Senate having concluded the imtcrroga
ton of its members regarding the case, in pre-
venting their copies OF the secret correspondence
and proposed article from reaching outside par
ties it may now prosecute the Investigation
concerning the publication of q document witt
view to emphatic action in the premises.