Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-02-15
.AuSTlN, MIMI
England aud the Unite.l x1.1e..

aO04AN, 44NN,-
THURSDAY MORNING. FEN. Is, 1877.
England aud the United states.
When the joint High Commission
met in Washington last winter, our
Government and that Of Great Britain
agreed to submit to the gentlemen who
composed it, all questions Of dispute
between the two countries aris;r g out
OF the action Of England towards tho
United States during the late civil war.
Ih'' Commission was charged with thu
duty Of accepting the preliminary
statement Of each power. These, upon
the ono hand, teing the claim for dam
ages put forward by the United States.
and on the other, reasons and explana-
lions BY England which she claimed
"'t'gated, it they did not fully justify
her action in the premises. OF sevc,a,
items for which VIC demand pay from
the offending Government, it can safely
be asserted that the Cnit.d States is
entitled to all that is claimed. OF this
kind is the property which was actually
destroyed by the pirate Alabama, and
it amounts to nearly $4,000, 900. Our
Government claims, in addition to the
above, as consequential damages, in.
denaity for injuries sustained BY per-
sons through the destruction Of these
vessels. She claims reimbursement to
the amount Of $1,000, 47s, expended in
pursuit Of cruisers clearing from Brit
lsh ports. Also, for enhanced pay.
ments for insurance amounting to 81,
12o,795 in consequence of the pres
encc Of these cruisers among American
merchantmen. She charges England
with portion Of tho cost Of a prolong-
cd war, and interest upon the whole
amount claimed from an average day
say 1863. These items were all pre-
scented to the Commissioners last win
ter. but the amounts claimed under
each were not stated as they had not
been definitely fixed upon then, neither
was it regarded by the English part Of
the Commission as in the least essential
All that Was to be done by that body
ct men, representing the two Govern
s~ents, was to agree upon cease" to
he presented to another tribunal for ad.
judication. They acted as attorneys,
!. e., they put in their pleadings and
thereby determined just what should
be made subjects Of proof before a
disinterested and impartial tribunal, to
be subsequently established to hear the
testimony and render its judgment.
The Geneva Board of Arbitrators is
one in whom the two countries have
expressed their confidence by declaring
it u mutual choice. England now al.
lescs surprise in the character and ex.
teat Of the demand put forward by this
Government, and refuses to submit thu
whole claim to arbitration. This Ger.
t"inly seems very disingenous. She
has never denied the claim of the Uni
ted States for indemnity to the extent
Of the actual damace for the destruction
of property. She would have paid
reasonable claim Of this kind at an.
time within the last, Eve years. It VA.
to settle this demand for consequential
damages that this Board of Arbitrator
vas chosen, and the English Govern
ment knew this fact pretty we'll, ant
consented to it for that purpose. Ou
Government cannot recede from it
position nor relinquish its demand.
England goes out Of the Conferenc
she does il at q fearful risk.
We doubt whether she will hasten I
assume such grave responsibilities, fo
she cannot be ignorant Of the terri5l
consequences which must inevitabl
result from so fragrant an attempt I
ignore the peaceful settlement Of d
m'"d, the Importance and the justit
Of which appeal both TO her good sen.
and her good conscience.