Synthesized answer
The passages describe escalating tensions between the United States and Great Britain in the context of the American Civil War, which necessitated arbitration. The Southern States seceded from the Union in 1861, leading to the outbreak of hostilities with the capture of Fort Sumter by Confederates and President Lincoln's declaration of a blockade of southern ports [1]. The United States government alleged grievances against Great Britain, including the recognition of the Southern States as belligerents and a general unfriendliness. Additionally, the U.S. cited breaches of neutrality for allowing Confederate vessels like the "Alabama" to be built and equipped on British territory [4]. Correspondence on these matters extended over several years [4].
These circumstances led to the appointment of a commission in February 1871 to seek a common understanding on how to settle the issues. The British commissioners then suggested submitting the "Alabama" claims to arbitration [4]. The American commissioners initially refused unless principles governing the arbitrators were agreed upon. After discussion, the British consented to specific rules, and the eventual arbitration was seen as a…
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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.
itrators that an extra-judicial declaration should be obtained from the arbitrators on the subject of the direct claims. On the 19th of June Count Sclopis intimated on behalf of all his colleagues that, without intending to express any opinion upon the interpretation of the treaty, they had arrived at the conclusion that “the indirect claims did not constitute upon the principles of international law applicable to such cases a good foundation for an award or computation of damages between nations.” In consequence of this intimation Mr Bancroft Davis informed the tribunal on the 25th of June…
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…
More questions about this book
- How would you explain the core dispute between the United States and Great Britain regarding the "Alabama" and its historical significance to someone unfamiliar with the American Civil War, using only the key events described in the text?
- The British government declared neutrality but recognized the Confederates as belligerents. Why was this distinction crucial, and how did it set the stage for the controversy surrounding ships like the "Alabama"?
- Imagine you are the "commissioners of customs" in July 1862. What conflicting pressures—legal, economic, and diplomatic—might you have faced when deciding whether to detain the "Alabama" based on the evidence presented?
- Given that this account of the "Alabama" Arbitration is from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, how might the historical context of its publication subtly shape its presentation or emphasis compared to an account written today?