Synthesized answer
The passages show that the diplomatic and legal processes surrounding the "Alabama" vessel reinforced the value of arbitration as a means of averting war primarily through the sustained effort to reach a negotiated settlement before any arbitration decision. After years of correspondence over U.S. grievances regarding British breaches of neutrality [3], a commission was appointed in 1871 to find a common understanding on how to settle the issues [3]. The British commissioners suggested arbitration, and after discussion, both sides agreed on principles to govern the arbitrators [2]. This agreement was formalized in the Treaty of Washington, which expressed regret for the "Alabama"'s escape and referred the claims to a tribunal of five arbitrators [4]. The treaty itself was "on the whole, welcomed in England" [5], indicating that the diplomatic process had already defused tensions.
Thus, even before the arbitrators rendered a decision, the diplomatic and legal processes—the commission, the agreement on rules, and the treaty—demonstrated arbitration's value by replacing the threat of war with a structured, mutually accepted method of resolution. The passage explicitly states that…
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From the book
← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 244259 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — "Alabama" Arbitration Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe “ALABAMA” ARBITRATION. —This is one of those arbitrations on pecuniary claims, made by one state, on behalf of its subjects, against another state, which are referred to in the article Arbitration, International . The case is important, both from a historical and a juridical point of…
. With respect to the “Alabama” claims the British commissioners suggested that they should be submitted to arbitration. The American commissioners refused “unless the principles which should govern the arbitrators in the consideration of the facts could be first agreed upon.” After some discussion the British commissioners consented that the three following rules should apply.
rpool in two British ships. Captain Semmes there took command of her under a commission from the Confederate government. After a most destructive career she was sunk off Cherbourg by the “Kearsarge” on the 19th of June 1864. On these facts the United States government alleged against Great Britain two grievances, or sets of grievances. The first was the recognition of the Southern States as belligerents and a general manifestation of unfriendliness in other ways. The second was in respect of breaches of neutrality in allowing the “Alabama,” the “Florida” (originally the “Oreto”, the…
d waters, and as to all persons within its jurisdiction to prevent any violation of the foregoing obligation and duties. The arrangements made by the commission were embodied in the treaty of Washington, which was signed on the 8th of May 1871, and approved by the Senate on the 24th of May. Article 1, after expressing the regret felt by Her Majesty’s government for the escape, in whatever circumstances, of the “Alabama” and other vessels from British ports, and for the depredations committed by these vessels, provided that “the claims growing out of the acts of the said vessels, and…
decided by a majority of the arbitrators, and each of the contracting parties was to name one person to attend as agent. Article 6 provided that the arbitrators should be governed by the three rules quoted above, and by such principles of international law not inconsistent therewith as the arbitrators should determine to be applicable to the case. By the same article the parties agreed to observe these rules as between themselves in future, and to bring them to the knowledge of other maritime powers. Article 7 provided that the decision should be made within three months from the close of the…
More questions about this book
- The text states that the "Alabama" Arbitration is important "both from a historical and a juridical point of view." Imagine you're explaining this to someone who only understands one aspect: how would you articulate the distinct contributions of both historical context and legal principles to the significance of this case?
- Britain issued a proclamation of neutrality and recognized the Confederates as belligerents, yet the "Alabama" was being built in a British port, leading to demands for its detention. How would you explain to a friend the inherent tension or potential conflict in a nation's declared neutrality versus the actions occurring within its borders during a foreign conflict?
- Trace the sequence of events from the Southern States' secession to the US consul's request for the "Alabama"'s detention. How did each specific action or declaration from different parties contribute to escalating this from a domestic conflict to an international dispute involving Britain?
- The "Alabama" was initially just a vessel referred to as "No. 290." What specific details and actions transformed this particular ship into such a significant and controversial object, capable of sparking international arbitration and becoming a "conspicuous example" of its value?