THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 214, 7 March 1872, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Auckland via Katikati, March 3rdThe Nebraska arrived at 3. 30. p. m. Tie Moses Taylor left Sau Franeiso on February 6th ; but brought no mail inconsequence of the snow having blockaded the road. It is expected to be cleared in a few days.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS. . London, February 3rd. The claims of the United States as laid before the Geneva Arbitration Commission have caused great excitement throughout Great Britain. England is charged with a knowledge of the character of the Alabama, and that it should therefore be regarded, as a hostile expedition from a British port against the United States ; that Great Britian did notuse due diligence to prevent the Alabama's departure from Liverpool, Jamaica, and other British ports ; and that the Alabama received special hospitality at the Cape of Good Hope . Similar charges are made respecting the Simibntion, Georgia, Tallahasse, Olustee, lietrkancey, and Shenandoah. They demand that in making the award, not only the losses of individuals by the destruction of vessels and cargoes by the Florida and its tenders should be coi sidered, but also that the expenses incurred by the United States in pursuing the vessels should be taken into account.

The "Times" declares that England must give immediate notice to the Geneva Arbitrators and the Government, that if the course- assumed by America is as reported, all efforts at arbitration may as well cease.

The "Daily Telegraph" reports that negotiations to that end have been opened up between England and America, and that the British representatives have not been received in a friendly manner. Other journals have criticised the American case with great severity, urging the Government to declare an opinion, with regard to the demand for indirect damages. Chief justice Cockburn has officially counselled the Cabinet that England must recede immediately from the treaty of Washington, leaving America to decide between a-new treaty or war.

The Council are now discussing the terms in which this resolution shall appear in the Queen's speech at the opening of Parliament.

The "Advertiser" asserts that Chief justice Cockburn will withdraw from the Arbitration, and the Government will repudiate the Washington Treaty. The " Daily News" says that the position of the Government is backed by the sentiments of the country. The Prince of Wales will embark for a cruise on the Mediterranean in April.

An extraordinary storm occurred in the South of England. The streams overflowed, and whole villages were deluged. Great damage was done to property in the Valley of the Severn, Windsor suffered severely. The upper portion of London on the river was flooded.

In the Tichborne case, the defence say that they have three hundred witnesses to examine. The claimant's chances are considered to be weakening.

Lady Franklin offers a reward of £2000 for the recovery of the records of the

ships Erebus and Terror.

Upon the nomination of Mr. Nolan — a Home Pvule candidate for a seat in the House of Commi.ns which took place in Gal way, serious riots ensued, and many persons were wounded.

Election excitement in Kerry also runs dangerously high. It is reported that the Fenians are organising in mobs to support Mr. Blennerhasset (a Home Rule candidate), and that the priests are threatened with violence". Mr. John Bright has written a letter to The O'Donoghue, denouncing Home Rule. February 5 th. The tone of the press on the Alabama Claims has slightly moderated, and they look forward to the Queen's Speech to morrow for a positive announcement of the stand taken by the Government with regard to the American case. The "Times " of Saturday has the following language :—": — " We repudiate the construction that ha 3 been put on the Treaty of Washington in America, and must withdrawfrom arbitration if this construction is insisted on ; but, this point rectified, we are ready to .stand loyally, by the Treaty."

The "Times ""of today is afraid the attempts to solve the Alabama difficulty may prove abortive, and hopes their failure may not excite bitter feeling in .America.

The "Saturday Review" thinks the United States prefer to have no settlement of the matter, and wish to hold nut the Alabama claims as a perpetual menace to Great Britain for political purposes.

The " Pall Mall Gazette " claims to have seen an early copy of the Queen's Speech, to be delivered at the opening of Parliament to-morrow, and gives the following abstract : — The Queen congratulates Parliament and the country that their relations with all the nations of Europe are of the most friendly character. Considerable space is devoted to the subject of the Alabama claims, on which the ' Queen says : To uphold the extent of my international obligations, I have concluded a treaty with the United States for i the settlement of the questions discussed J for years, it having become obvious that i the horrors of war are avoidable by peace- j ful arbitration, instead of the arbitrament j of the sword. I have given consent to the reference of the Alabama claims to an International Tribunal ; the highest j authority to which their decision could have been intrusted. Through a pardon I able oversight on the part of the negotiators, the claim was not explicitly limited to direct losses, and therefore the President of the United States has preferred a j number of indirect claims, to many of which my Government have demurred. I hope the amount to be ultimately defrayed will not excoed the French payment to Germany. The Queen deplores the troubled state of India ; but congratulates the Parliament upon the condition of the finances of the country and collection of unprecedented revenues. She refers to the peaceable state of Ireland, and promises to bring in some necessaTy Sir Charles Dilke organised a large meeting in Trafalgar Square to-night, at which 10,000 persons attended. CONTINENTAL. Bonapartist agents are actively distributing pamphlets urging the restoration of the Empire. A proposition to confiscate Napoleon's property was received with shouts of derision by the Assembly. There is a strong religious excitement in Europe between the old and new Catholics. Bavariais greatly agitated, and the old Catholic movement is spreading in Germany under the leadership of Dr. Dollinger. A plan for a Republican revolutionary uprising has been organised over the whole South of France. The Pope granted an audience to the Grand Duke Michael, brother to the Czar of Russia. This is regarded as mdi I cative of a reconciliation.