Synthesized answer
The passages do not directly explain how the British government's proclamation of neutrality, despite its stated intent, directly contributed to the "Alabama" Arbitration becoming a "conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war."
However, the passages do provide context for the arbitration. The British government issued a proclamation of neutrality on May 14, 1861, which recognized the Confederates as belligerents [3]. Subsequently, the United States government alleged grievances against Great Britain, including breaches of neutrality in allowing Confederate vessels like the "Alabama" to be built and equipped on British territory [2]. This led to years of correspondence, and eventually, a commission was appointed in February 1871 to settle the issues [2]. With respect to the "Alabama" claims, the British commissioners suggested arbitration, and after agreeing on governing principles, the claims were submitted to a tribunal [1, 2, 5]. The "Alabama" Arbitration is described as an important case that "affords a conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war" [4].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
. 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…
tes on the 13th of April 1861. On the 19th of April President Abraham Lincoln declared a blockade of the southern ports. On the 14th of May the British government issued a proclamation of neutrality, by which the Confederates were recognized as belligerents. This example was followed shortly afterwards by France and other nations. The blockade of the southern ports was not at first effective, and blockade-running soon became an active industry. The Confederates established agencies in England for the purchase of arms, which they despatched in ordinary merchant vessels to the Bahamas, whence…
← 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…
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
- Explain the legal and practical challenges faced by the British authorities in deciding whether to detain the "Alabama," considering their declared neutrality and the evidence presented by the US consul.
- If you were explaining the "Alabama" Arbitration to someone unfamiliar with it, how would you simplify the connection between the Confederates' arms procurement strategy in England and the eventual international dispute?
- Beyond the immediate historical context, what fundamental principles of international law or state responsibility, illustrated by this case, are still relevant in today's global landscape, and why?
- Given that this text is from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, how might the historical context of its publication influence its interpretation or emphasis on the events of the "Alabama" Arbitration?