GENERAL SUMMARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 148, 22 June 1872, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, May 23. — On the the 14th inst., in the House of Commons in the presence of a full House and crowded galleries, Gladstone made an explanation of the regulations regarding the indirect claims, and the position of the Government therein. After praising the forbearance of Parliament during the controversy, he said he would commence a narrative of its progress since January, 18, when he first learned that the claim for indirect damages in the American case would be presented at Geneva. On February 3, the English Government protested against tbe indirect claims, which were not in the scope of the treaty nor within the intention of either party thereal. Secretary Fish replied in April in a most courteous note in which he stated that he thought the Geneva Board might decide the entire question. Meantime Minister Schenck suggested a course which might be acceptable to both England and America, viz., an interchange of notes setting forth the views, terms, and conditions wherein both could agree to proceed to arbitration. We accepted the suggestion, and carried on a correspondence altogether by telegraph. On Wednesday, the Bth May, President Grant submitted a proposition to the United States Senate, and on Thursday we ascertained that that proposition was not precisely as we understood it should be, because of the brevity of the cable despatches on which it was based. On the Friday a draft covering a letter containing our views was forwarded to Schenck, and immediately telegraphed by him . to Washington, and on the following

day Scbenck informed Lord Granville that the President had accepted, and the Senate entertained that draft. Mr. Gladstone thought this fact wasalmost equivalent to ratification, aod begged the further forbearance of the House now that the question was approaching a conclusion satisfactory and honorable to both sides. He was loudly cheered upon taking his seat. Mr. Disraeli thanked the Premier for his statement, and said he should not seek to embarrass the Government. Whatever differences existed on other subjects, all parties were united in desiring a peaceful find honorable settlement. In the House of Lords, Granville made a statement similar f to that of Gladstone. Earl Russell again postponed his motion for an address to the Crown to withdraw from arbitration. Lord Derby and the Duke of Richmond hoped the new proposition of the Government was not ambiguous, and said they had had enough misunderstanding. There are long editorials iu all the journals upon the explanation of indirect claims, and the position of tho English Government. • They approve of the pending negotiation, but doubt the concurrence of the United State's Senate. A message from President Grant to the Senate submitting a proposal for au additional article to the Washington treaty relative to the indirect claims, serves to reassure the public that the differences between the two nations will be honorably settled. The publication of the message has had an effect upon American securities which are now firmer than at the opening of the arbitration. The Pall Mall Gazette says that the whole drift of feeling in England justifies the assertion that the worst thing to do with the treaty is to save it, as saving the treaty means offence and humiliation to America or England or both ; it means the renewal and not the abatement of the ill feeling it was intended to allay ; how to save the treaty means who shall eat the leek, or whether (?) means canuot be invented whereby both parties should agree to it in each other's presence. The Americans appear to exclaim against the adoption of the supplementary article. Here there is only one opinion, namely, that its acceptance would be discreditable and dangerous to both, The people would be pacified and content at once if the treaty and the articles connected therewith we^e dropped as an irredeemable blunder for which the Governments alone are to blame. That is the proper fate of the treaty, and the only safe and peaceful way of disposing of it. The agent of the Cunard line has received information of the loss of the steamer Tripoli from Liverpool to Boston on the Irish Coast. The crew and passengers were saved but the vessel is a total wreck. The London Telegraph mentions the death of another veteran companion of Sir Charles Napier in the person of General Pennefather. The accouchment of the Princess of Wales is expected about Ihe end of June or tbe commencement of July. The revolving turret British ironclad Hotspur is going to attack the fixed turret British ironclad Hatton to test the revolving turret. The Telegraph says it is expensive work this blazing away at our own navy. Letters from Leppo give distressing pictures of the state of affairs at Antioch. The town is a heap of ruins, and the soil quivering with volcanic movements frightening people so that they dare not approach the site to remove the unburied dead. The bullion in the Bank of England on May 22 had decreased £52,000.