The New York herald., 1876-12-31
THERE'S MILLIONS IN IT.
THE UNApPRoPRI.TED FUNDS AWARDED by
THE GENEVA TRIBUNAL.

THE UNApPRoPRIATED FUNDS AWARDED by
THE GENEVA TRIBUNAL.
II appeared recently IN the HERALD that at meet
ing OF the Executive Conncii Of the International Code
IN this city mention was made OF a letter which had
been received by Mr. A. p. Sprasue, Secretary of the
Council from Hon. Charles Francs Adams, relating to
the disposition OF the funds awarded by the Geneva
tribunal indemnity to satisfy the Alabama claims.
The awarded by that tribunal was sl5,5 900
in gold, and the current rumor that portion OF
this large fund was likely to be withheld from tho
parties whom received by the United States
government makes the subject OF much public
interest As the contents OF the letter from Mr. Adams
had not been gwen the public the HERALD deemed 1t
OF sufficient genera especially 20 tho legitimate
claimants against the fund.- TO send OF its rcpresen-
tatves 10 Mr.. Spragcc for copy That gentleman was
found at the occ Of the International Reriew No. III
William street IL may not be out Of place 10 say hero
that Mr. Sprague recently returned from Europe,
where he took the prize against thirty competitors for
essay on international law, offered by Sehor Mar
coaru through the British social Sconce Association.
In addition to the prize Mr. sprasuc had the pleasure
OF bearing back him TO his native State the per-
sonal congratulations OF the Queen Of Holland and a
vote Of thanks from tho Association for the Reform
Codihcation OF the Law OF Nations.
Tho mission of the HERALD representative being
made known 10 Mr.. Spraguc he said he had objoc-
giving the letter Tor publications. the less So he
said because its contents had been somewhat misrep
resented in some quarters, and 1t was due TO Mr.
Adams, we'll the public, that II should
be known VIVA. ne really ali say, Say. M he
letter written that IN former
commun cation to him relating 10 tho affairs OF The
International Coue Committee Mr.. Adams incident
ally expressed his disgust al the result OF The Geneva
arbitration. lie then requested Mr. Adams TO explain
the society whether dissatisfaction extended
ply 10 the mode OF distributing The Geneva award by
The United States government Mr.. Adams replied
the letter referred TO as ioows:-
''What did mean was regret that upon the first
experiment OF practical .arutraon between two ma
tions when with and dellbcrallon the ioar
arbtcrs laid down IN clear terms The reasons why they
joined in one conciuson they should have been com.
pccd 10 see their Judgment reversed ana money with
held IRON the parties Intended which II SO withheld
for good should AT have been restored
the party from which n had been taken AS the mat
ter now stands tho aroners appear responsible for
cheating the British government out OF iarec sum
winch the American government declares was not
properly claimed, and yet which 1t declines to return
to The rishtiul owners.'
The Importance OF the opinion OF Mr.. Adams, ex-
pressed tho foregoing letter, may he estimated when
remembered that he was tho arbter OF the United
States in obtaining the award at Geneva, and mat
ter oil course thoroughly understands The grounds
VIII ich the award was made
Mr. Sprauue that the deliberations o! tho tri-
bunal on the subject damages were held with closed
doors, each party furnishing comparative tables OF
losses. The tribunal announced that result had been
reached and that SIS 500 600 would be awarded as
gross sum, butt does not appear In the published pro-
cccdngs how the arbltrators arrived at This amouat
Mr. j. Bancroft Davis, the agent OF the United States
AT Geneva, in his report To his government says.-
..For some weeks before the decision given felt
sure the afbtrators would send the
TO until they should have exhausted all
efforts to agree themselves upon the sum 10 be paid
We, therefore, devoted our energies toward securing
such sum as should be practically an indemnity 10
the sufferers. Whether have have not been
ccssu can be determined only by the final DIVISION of
the sum-
The Court Of Alabama Claims at Washington finished
Its business Friday last leaving more than halt OF
the awarded by the Geneva tribunal
and Mr.. Adams knowing OF that TACT IN advance Mr..
Adams expressed in his letter No
award given TO the United States as an indemnity
by the Geneva tribunal, except In satisfaction for
sustained by private citizcns All other claims
expressly excluded by The tribunal. The United
States government stands, therefore, IN the awkward
position OF holding 50 O0J, COO which It ought to dis
tribute to its citizens which II has received from
Great Britain without nny foundation.
being asked what the effect OF this state Of things
would be, in his judgment, Mr Sprague said II would
strengthen the position OF the insurance companies in
the demands which have been thus far denied by the
government that Congress would have TO proper
leg station tho distribution Of the money
ing on hand TO those to whom II rightfuy belongs
would largely share. This course Mr.. Sprague said
seemed not only 10 be the proper one. but that 1T
from the Of recent English papers TO have
been accepted IN advance in that quarter.
Ths considering his position as Secretary OF the In
ternational Code Committee, to which Mr. Adams
letter addressed, all that he deemed proper
say the subject at present.