Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-02-07
THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
BLUSTERrNG OF THE ENGLISH PRESS.

DIN VI b1tt.SSs
LONDON, Feb. 3.-The Times TO day declares
that England must Immediately give notice 20
the Geneva arbitrators and to the american
Government if such action has not already
been taken, that if the American case is re-
formed, arbitration may be happily concluded
WASHINGTON, Feb. at S said in official
circles that our Government has no information
which cNcitos fears that tho Geneva arbitration
will fail of its object notwithstanding the recent
comments Of the London papers respecting the
American statement Of the case before that tr-
bunal, and attention is called to the fact that in
commissioning the British High Commission,
Queen Victoria pledged her royal word that
whatever things should be transacted and con-
Cluded by her high commissioners should be
agreed to, acknowledged and regarded by her
in the fullest manner, and that She would never
suffer, either in whole or in part any person
whomsoover TO infringe on the same or act con-
trary thereto, as far rs lay in her power.
The treaty act, it is known, provides that
should it appear that Great Britain has failed to
I'll any duty or duties, rs to the so called Ala
bama deprddations, and the Arbitrators do not
award to the United States sum in gross, il is
agreed that a board of assessors shall be APP
pointed to ascertain what claims are valid, and
what amounts shall be paid by Great Britain on
account Of the liability arising from such fail
ure as TO the exact vessel, according to the eX-
tent Of such liability decided by the ArbitrN-
tors.
1t appears from the protocol that Mt the con-
can Commissioners claimed that Great Britain,
by reason of failure in the proper Observance of
her duties rs II neutral, had become justly
liable for the acts of the cruizers and traders
that the claims for the loss and destruction of
private property which had thus far been pre-
sentcd amounted to about fourteen million dol
lars without interest, which amount was liable
TO be greatly increased by claims which had
not then been presented.
Opinions of New York Press on Situation.
" l. In
all discuss the Washington Treaty troubles rs n
serious matter Tho Hcrod says:
"Of one stern fact the English Government
and people may rest we'll assured, that deplo-
rable war must almost inevitably be the cOnsc-
quence of evasion of an honorable settlement
of the differences between the two nations I'M
der the tribunal which they themselves selected.
If the action of the tribunal makes Great Brit
ain liable for the loss of our commerce and the
prolongatOn of our civil war, the damages
awarded therefor must be paid pcaceably or
they will be collected at the point of the bayo-
net
The Times says the action of the British Gov
eminent will be q matter of surprise to the
Americans, who had supposed an honorable
and peaceful way had been found to settle the
ugly differences growing out of the Alabama
claims. If it turns out our confidence was mis-
applied, disappointment will be added to the
sources of bad feeling already too numerous.
The Tribune says Secretary Fish is authority
! for complete denial of the report that negotia
| tions for reform of the American case had beer
| opened between England and America
The TridHJc editorially says it is not 20 bc
seriously apprehended that England will be
misled into a folly of repudiating arbitration on
pr'teXt. We are asking. more than We have
right to claim If the popular claimor in
| England should defeat the ministry on thi'
question and withdraw from the treaty O
| Washington, it is the United States that is thu
! eaviest looser by such n course.
| Tho World saws if IL ShOnll nDDpar that IN,
treaty was understood differently by the TIVE
| contracting parties, the question will arise
! whether this happened by any fault or chicane
! nv of tho American Government. 1t is un
! fortunate that the Geneva Commission is called
/ upon TO discharge its duties in the year of
| Presidential campaign. As things now look
the Administration has over shot the mark il
trying to make party capital ont of this contro
versy, and if the treaty is repudiated, the pub
lie verdict will be that the President and his al
yisers bungled great question instead Of set
ding it.
The Feeling In Washington.
1t is stated that several days ago Governo
John Rose telegraphed to banking house il
| New York, with which he has business cOnIec
tons, briefly abiding 10 the treaty of Wash
ington in the tone OF the London press, ant
urging modification of the case rs being abso
lutely necessary to pacific0tion of the British
and the support of the ministry; and it is fur
ther said that the substance of this telegram Ia
been communicated to certain parties in thi
city, with view to effect the desired object.
However true this may be, IL is certain that tn
accounts from England produce no excitemen
whatever in executive and congressional circles
nor is it considered that any complications be
| tween the countries can result from the agita
ton of the question in England and it is believ
| cd the matters at issue will be settled in accord
| ance with the terms of the treaty.
None ofthe members of the two Committee
on Foreign Affairs have heard of any dissatis
faction with the treaty apart from the Londol
papers, nor has their attention been called t
the subject by either the President or the See
rotary OF State, and it is equally certain tina
by the treaty as it is, without yielding 10 an,
demands which will affect its purposes; and sucl
is also said to be the determination of those con
nected with the Executive Department, who's
| right 1t was TO present the American statemen
ercised by the British themselves. ca. E.. .