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News and Miscellany

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 9.

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News and Miscellany.

“Can ye not discern the signs of the times?”
The relations of our government with England seem to be assuming a serious phase. There are grave apprehensions of trouble on both sides, as the following dispatches will show:
LONDON, Feb. 3.—Chief Justice Cockburn has officially counseled the Cabinet that England must recede immediately from the treaty of Washington, leaving America to decide between a new treaty or war. The council is now discussing the terms in which this resolution shall appear in the Queen’s speech at the opening of Parliament.
NEW YORK, Feb. 5.—The Herald’s Washington special says that the excitement among high officials in that city, in consequence of our relations with England, is very great, and there has been constant conferences between the representatives of the American Government and the English Embassy.
The situation in England, as represented by the English legation at Washington, is of the gravest character. The Tory party, although represented by Stafford Northcote in the Joint High Commission, is desirous of forcing the Alabama question upon Parliament, and compelling such a vote as would declare its want of confidence in the Gladstone Ministry, and, in consequence, is seeking a reconsideration of the Alabama case to parry the assaults of the Tories.
Dispatches have been received at Washington urging the Administration to withdraw its claims for consequential damages, but the President is firm in his determination that the case, as presented by our Government, shall not be amended or withdrawn. He regards the Geneva Commission as a court, and feels that America has a right to go before that court like any other party to an action, and leave the question to its decision; and if our case shows any surprising features the fault will be with the English, who permitted themselves, for their own gain, to become parties to acts of war upon the United States. The President also feels that the necessities of any English Cabinet must not be permitted to force this Administration into a false position.
The Cabinet to-day discussed in an informal manner the recent reports from England with reference to the treaty of Washington. There was an unanimity of sentiment to adhere to the position assumed by our Government relative to the so-called Alabama claims. At that time the reference to the subject in the Queen’s speech was not known. There was, through the day, many inquiries in all circles as to the tone of the speech toward the United States, and general satisfaction was expressed when it was ascertained to be friendly. There is no disposition, however, in any quarter, to consent to a modification of the position the Government has taken.
A dispatch has been received from Minister Schenck to the effect that the excitement in London is intense, but no recommendations are made.
Secretary Fish does not see how any claim can be withdrawn, but if, in his judgment, Sir Alexander Cockburn, should withdraw, there would be no hope of an amicable settlement.
The Herald editorially says the fact that the British representative at Washington has been instructed to make proposals of accommodation and compromise of the Alabama claims with our Government is an insult to our Nation. If Great Britain is liable for the loss to our commerce, and the prolongation of our civil war, the damages awarded must be paid peaceably, or will be collected at the point of the bayonet.
The Times says the action of the British government will be a matter of surprise to the Americans.
The Tribune says if the popular clamor in England should compel a withdrawal from the Treaty of Washington, it is not the United States that will be the heaviest loser by such a course.
The World says it looks as if the Administration has overshot the mark in trying to make party capital out of this controversy, and if the treaty is repudiated the public verdict will be that the President and his advisers have bungled the great question instead of settling it.
HALIFAX, N. S., Feb. 5.—The intimation by the English press of the intention of the British government to repudiate the Treaty of Washington excites much comment. It is believed that such a violent course would be almost a certain signal for war, and the English government, it is thought, will not follow public opinion so far as to take so decisive a step. The merchants of Halifax are deeply interested in the treaty.
PARIS, Feb. 5.—Great interest is felt here in the discussion of the Alabama claims, now going on in England, and the result is awaited with much anxiety.
It is reported that the American Government has ordered a large number of sea-torpedoes of English manufacturers.
It is reported that the Navy Department intends to ask Congress for authority to build ten 13-gun sloops-of-war and seven steam propellers.