Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-06-08
FrOstburg, June :. 1872.

Element of the Alabama claims. seem
TO seriously occupy the public mind in
both this country and England. t.
Much disappointment is expressed at
the present untoward aspect Of 4 case
which has so long and urgently de
manded adjudication, and which has,
at times, portended unhappy interna-
tional results. War has been feared
NJ the last resort for settlement be-
seen people who could more easily
peacefully adjust mutual differences
than any other two countries on She
globe.
How much ground exists for these
fears may be inferred from the fact
that to these negotiations the hopes
Of both countries have been, for long
time, expectantly turned for a happy
solution of troublesome differences -
The prellminaries have been so elabo-
rate and exhaustive as to excite unu
sual confidence in the result; the sub
sequent selection of eminent diploma
fists as arbitrators almost confirmed Il
satisfactory settlement as a toregone
conclusion. Now that it is asserted
that All this has come to naught it will
be no unnatural result if the worst is
realized.
1t will be remembered. however,
that this is not the first failure in the
attempt at an amicable settlement of
this vexatious case. That it Aa; failed
before without serious consequences Is
no ground for belief in its frui!cssltess
in unhappy ISSUES forever, War may
at any time result from inG!aefotion or
obstinacv-an event for which no sue
cess can compensate; its possibility
suggests the wlaest precaut!on, the
most prudent provision yea, mora, the
exercise Of the largest magnanimity
For the occurrence Of an event so
deplorable the responsibility OF the
parties engaged cannot be easily meas
ured, and can never be removed. In
this case, we are sorry to observe, the
faithlessness to the conditions of the
Washington treaty has been with those
who first ratified 1.-THE people Of the
United States. The British govern
ment throughout has shown a laudable
desire to fairly and squarely settle the
difficulty; it has submitted its case in
a manner becoming the dignity of a
great people. The same cannot be
said of the American side Of the ques-
ton so far as our programme is known.
A nervous, almost passionate state
ment has been made, including claims
for indirect losses which, if pursued,
would almost lead to infnity. These
claims, which should never have been
presented, were subsequently with
drawn, to be substituted by an equal
ly perverse complication in the form
of a supplement to the treaty, the pur-
port Of which can be conjectured as
little less Objectionable to the British
government, Judging from the hesita-
ton of the ministry and the vehement
demands Of the representatives Of the
people for withdrawal Of the British
case from the Geneva arbitration
Whatever may be the final issue Of
these negotiations, it is earnestly hoped
our government will relieve itself of
the incubus of responsibility for mis-
chievous consequences which now
seemingly rests upon it. The people
will be slow to ratify any action which
places the national honor at stake to
crafty the martial instincts of a few.
1t will be we'll if their wishes be heed
ed and obeyed.
The agitation of the water question
in Frostburg has eliminated in call
for public meeting of the citizens at
Wilderman's Hall, this evening to
consider the ways and means Of Sc
curing a better supply.
To this call there should be "a full
response, as all are interested. The
object sought to be accomplished is
indispensable to the convenience of a
large number of our citizens and to
the security Of vast property interests.
As such it should not be lightly es-
teemed or wilfully neglected
The Council deserves credit for
thus calling attention to this impor-
tant matter. If its call is not honor
ed by large attendance, full discus
sion and efficient action, the respon-
sibility for non-attention is not their $
The slack times and duh trade Of
this season are very reasonably at
tributed to the decreased production
of coal the latter to the foolish tink-
ering of Congressional lawyers with
IL, 1,~;H