New-York tribune., 1873-02-27
TIE GENEVA AWARD.

TO the RAZOR Of The Tribune.
SIn: 4 bill has been passed by the Senate
and presented the House providing for the disposition
OF the money awarded to the United states by the Gov
ernnent OF Great Britain a sequel TO the decision Of
tho Geneva Board OF Arbitration. An examination of
the bill shows that in its present shape its passage
would be OF gross injustice 70 the real sufferers by
the depredatons Of the Rebel II the idea OF
the ArJraors TO make a handsome present to the
American Government 10y way Of "hush money" and 10
silence lis ogeerated cry for justice in the matter Of
the Alabama Claims, perhaps Mr. Edmunds's amendment
will do the work as successfully any other means
but il the design Of the Arbitration compel
offending neutral nation either to justify It's violations of
law, olse compensate those who had actually suf
fred by ils esect Of duties lmp0scd then the sooner
Bl N. 2lO9 is consigned to the wastebaskct
the better.
The basis which the Arstrators acted and by which
the were guided forming estimate TO the amount
10 be awarded to this Government detailed and
specific list Of claims made by citizens Of the United
States against Great Britain and filed in the office OF the
Secretary % STATE for actual and direct loss through the
captrc and obstruction or their vessels and cargoes
From unul individual claims Tor losses had been
sent to the Secretary of State and by him forwarded 10
the American Minister in London by whom in turn they
were presented t. the british Foreign Once. When the
Board Of Arbitration met at Geneva, these claims were
collected together and presented 70 the Board as our
estimate of direct damages and careful review Of
Whe dsposing Of all the claims. direct and indirect
which had been enumerated and considered in the deib
eratiOns OF the Joint High Commission and been sub
mitted 10 Arbitration, the tribunal gave Judgment
against Great Britain and condemned It to pay damages
only for one head OF these claims, viz direct losses
vessels. with th6r carg0es."
The Government was thus placed IN the position Of a
trustee to hold and distribute scertan fund among
tain creditors whose claims had been presented, ad-
judged correct ordered be paid by the authorized
tribunal The TepsTa0n made to the Government was,
an acknowledgment of the justice Of its position and its
principles: the rcparauon the victims of the
doer was compensation for their losses. Now the great
difficulty carrying into effect she decision Of the trio
unal IL thls that Public una mas on he great mass
OF pDliticiiua the same effect red flag on an
ragged hull il is something % be at once attacked
hacked 10 pieces and DESTROYED ana So instead OF con
sdcring what justice and equity alike demand IN set
Ting a great national matter, the Geneva Award Ring"
have gaugcd the depth Of their pockets and by the re
suit divided the sum known as the Geneva Award. In
other words Senate BA 2l03 Is so pleasantly framed
that It's friends may enjoy Of the advantages which
Credit Mober stock once promised before II became
stencil in the nOstTI!s"
municatiOn 10 analyze closely the bill in question TO
point out IN detail its Objectionable features The Obec
OF being perverted as TO benefit ind yiduals suf
fered is much y the depredations Of the Florida Ala
Daua, or Shenandoah as dad the man in the mOOn-and
no more Sections O. H. 49, H. and Is deserve careful
study by those who desire TO know how IN Congress en-
actInens conceal snakes in baskets Of fruit. Why
should the retary OF the Treasury retain ye per cent
each awardi 1t is not possible TO assume that such
expenses of obtaining the gross sum, and the probability
ia that IL would be about three times the amount Nor
is IL said what be done with this five per centum
except that "intO the Treasury" The persons
entitled 10 their share IN the SIS 10000 those whose
claims were presented the Board Of Arbitration by the
United States being the actual sufferers
ana to certain definite amount. 1.-THE sum awarded be
Insufficient 10 meet the aggregate demands then let dis
trbutiOn be made pro rata among the different claim
ants; IT, however, the amount appropriated Hl56O00D
be ia excess of the awards "a very Improbable
renoel then let Government make tender Of the
difference in amount 10 the Government OF Great
Britain We sought for the recognition OF principle OF
International law, and for compensation for actual
losses sustained We have received the 0mtHde hOaOrd
be in each case What Just courteous act Oh our
part could be desired than 10 prOher return OF an
amount small 10 be sdeq quate Offering TO nations
wounded honor but altogether too large 10 10 INTO the
pockets OF rapaciOus politicians. H. W. H.
Rctc- York, Feb rs, 1873,