The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-06-24
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS,
correspondence Between the Two
Governments.

NEW YORK, June 23.-The correspondence
between the American and English govern
ments relative to the treaty of Washington is
telegraphed tonight from Washington 1t
covers great amount of matter previously pub
llshed, commencing with volumnous letters
and kilograms from Schenck to Fisk in Febru-
airy and continuing to the present time.
Secretary Fish on June I'd telegraphed
Schenck that although by a liberal construc-
ton of the Senate article, cases of bad faith or
wilful misconduct may be held to be within it's
scope. 1t is uncomfortable that such cases can
ever be SUBJECT OF diplomatic correspondence
with view to pecuniary compensation between
TWO powers such as those now concerned
Mr.. Fish cOntidentially telegraphed to Mr..
Schenck the same day that if the arguments of
both sides were put in at Geneva on the 18th
and England moves to adjourn, our government
will concur.
On the Sd Of june Mr. schenck telegraphed
that Granville desired an adjournment Of the
arbitrators without having the argumenes pre-
sented on the 18th, but Mr. Fish Immediately
telegraphed back that this Government dis
sented from such movement, and referred to
the treaty requirements that such arguments
must be presented on the 18th of June. If ad-
journment is contemplated by Great Britain
with the idea of future negotiation it should be
understood that this Government cannot nego-
tate on proposition involving the idea that il
may be guilty of internationally ill faith or wlful
violation of its international duties, or that it
regards such acts on the part of another power
the subject of compensation by the payment of
damages in money
Mr.. Schenck, on the 9Th inst, telegraphed
that Parliament was suspicious of the wording
OF the treaty and suggested certain alterations
and additions to the Senate proposition, but
Mr. Fish telegaphed IF the British Govern
ment adopts unworthy suspicious as reasons for
modifying the proposed Senate article, or sug,-
geSts that our Government will not IN good
faith act upon the agreement contained therein:
all further negotiations must cease at once
He then tells Nh. Sehenck that this Govern
ment regards the new rule contained in the pro-
posed article as the consideration, and will ac-
cept it as a final settlement of the three classes
OF indirect claims put forth in our case, to
which England had objected. He says further,
that any change, however immaterial would in
volve a discussion in the Senate, but as framed
by the Senate could be ratified in few min
utes if agreed to by England. He said our
Government had made large concessions for the
sake OF maintaining important principles in the
treaty, and it can make no more Schenck tele-
graphed June 9th, that the British Government
did not share the suspicious of Parliament and
Others
Mr.. Fisk telegraphed Mr. Schenck June 9 that
Granville proposition of 8th could not be accept
ed by this Government 1t was in the powerof
the arbitrators themselves to adjourn upon the
motion of either party, but this Government
would not join in the application for an adj
journment 1t would not oppose an adjourn
ment out of courtesy to Great Britain but this
oO'CIHuiSHo ltlbntE ulfeCtly OF Indirectly
would be party to an agreement whereby
Great Britain could submit her argument to
the tribunal conditionaly or under any protest
or reservation, the obligations of the treaty
being reciprocal If the British Government
desire to withdraw or cancel the appointing mt
of their arbitrator they must do so without
asking leave of this Government
On the Sth of June, Earl Granville announc-
ed that an adjournment of the meeting of arbi-
traitors from the 18th was absolutely necessary,
and proposed joint application for adjourn
ment for eight months be made. If this was
concurred in then the British government would
deliver to the arbitrator on the 10Th the sum-
mary of their argument accompanied by dec
laration which he enclosed to Schenck for in
formation to the United States. The declara-
tion states that the argument is only
delivered cOnditionally, ON adjournment, and
gives notice that it is the intention of the Brit
ish Government to cancel the appointment of a
British arbitrator and withdraw from the arb-
tration at the close of the term fixed for adj
journment, unless the difference which has
arisen between the two governments as to the
claims for indirect losses shall have been re-
moved. ..--