The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-15
THE GENEVA TRIBUNAL.
How Charles Francis Adams Was Dis
suaded from Withdrawing i'm Anger
Manchester On. HI Union.


Personal "reminiscences OF the Geneva
Tribunal of Arbitration" was the tonic
handled before the University Club, of Con-
cord, n. H, on Thursday evening, Jan. 10,
by Frank w. Hackett, Of Portsmouth re-
Gently assistant secretary of the navy He
ing.
In 1872 it was the fortune of Mr.. Hackett
to be invited by Caleb Cushing senior
counsel for the United States in the mat
ter OF the Alabama claims, To accompany
Mr.. Hackett sailed in February in company
with Gen. Cushing in the Vile de Paris. of
the French line. Her Captain. Surmont
afterward commanded the fll-fated Willie de
HaVre when she was sunk by collision
AT Paris the other American counsel
Msssrs. Evarts and Waite, Joined Gen.
Cushing Bancroft Davis, the accomplished
and able agent of the United States was
already in Paris Mr.. Hackett described
the work that was done expeditiOusIy i'm
preparing the cOuntercase and other papers
to be laid before the tribunal. He gave an
interesting description of the excitement
created in England by the indirect claims
feature of our case. He extolled the con-
duct of Mr. Davis, who kept cool and calm
through all this turbulence that threat tened
TO upset the arbitration
They went to Geneva early in June The
speaker sketched the condition of affairs
at the opening of the tribunal, the cables
70 Mr.. Fish and the narrow escape from a
rupture. In describing this very interest
Ing feature or the arbitration, Mr. Hackett
disclosed some facts not hitherto generally
known. He gave great credit to Bancroft
Davis fo- his skill and tact I'm bringing ii
about, with the hearty cooperation of Lord
Ienterden, so that the work went on. Sir
Alexander Cockburn came to Geneva quite
unprepared as TO the facts, supposing that
the arbitration would prove a failure
The speaker told of each member OF the
tribunal and of the English counsel and
agent-his standing in his own country and
course. a description of Charles Francis
Adams, with whom Mr.. Hackett came
home in the Russia in November. 1872.
General Gushing wrote in French a brief
argument. Mr.. Evarts spoke in English for
the greater part OF a two days session His
remarks were translated into French and
printed in great haste. Mr.. Waite was
modest. He did not intend to present an
argument, but yielding to Mr.. Davis's adj
vice. he did write one on the subject of
coaling in neutral ports.
The social part of this great international
affair was not overlooked. The Swiss gov
eminent gave an elaborate dinner and
showed other courtesies TO the arbitrators
counsel ana secretaries. Besides the per-
sonnet. British and American, became well
acquainted with each other at various
meetings of social character MANY
American visitors contributed to the gayetv
OF the summer, prominent among whom
was General Sherman
Mr.. Hackett was present at all of the
open sessions of the tribunal. He described
a remarkable scene when Mr.. Adams in
censed at structures from Sir Alexander
Cockburn upon the character of our claims
got up ana was ABOUT 10 leave the room.
Count Scopis, by rare tact and good nature
restored order and averted the calamitv
that this step would have brought about.
ION the 14th Of September. 1872" said
Mr. Hackett. the tribunal announced Ire
decision. awarding a lump sum of SIS 500 400
in gold 10 the United States" Mr. Hack
EFT paid a tribute TO Hamilton Fish. socre-
tary of state. 10 whose foresight and diplo-
matte ability the solution of this vexed
problem was largely due.
There were several interesting Incidents
he,
actually participated in the conduct of af-
fairs on the spot. and these Mr. Hackett
narrated. Among those who did vaIua bic
work at Geneva was Mr. Hackett's class
mate and intimate friend. Charles q Rea-
man. who was assistant counsel Mr. Bea-
man later married the elder daughter Of
Mr.. Evarts and became a member of the
firm of Evarts. Choate * Beaman He was
for many years a resident of New Hamp-
shire. Mr.. BeauTan died year go i'm New
York. lamented by a large circle CT friends