Synthesized answer
The Confederates set up agencies in England to purchase arms, which were sent in ordinary merchant vessels to the Bahamas and then transferred to fast steamers built for blockade-running [2]. One such vessel, the "Alabama," was built in Britain and, despite evidence that she was intended as a man-of-war, was allowed to sail before authorities could detain her [2][5]. She later received her armament from British ships in the Azores and began a destructive career as a Confederate raider [1][5].
The United States alleged that Great Britain had breached its neutrality by allowing the "Alabama" and other Confederate vessels to be built and equipped on British territory [1]. After years of correspondence, a commission in 1871 agreed to submit the "Alabama" claims to arbitration, with the British commissioners consenting to specific rules to guide the arbitrators [1][4]. This arbitration became a key example of settling international disputes peacefully [3].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
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…
. 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.
was laid before the law officers, who advised that, if these particulars were correct, the vessel ought to be detained. On the 21st of July sworn evidence, which was supplemented on the 23rd of July, was obtained and laid before the commissioners of customs (who were the proper authorities to enforce the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1819), but they declined to move. On the 23rd of July the same evidence was laid before the law officers, who advised that there was sufficient ground for detention. By some accident, which has never been satisfactorily explained, but was probably…
More questions about this book
- How did the British government's proclamation of neutrality, despite its stated intent, directly contribute to the "Alabama" Arbitration becoming a "conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war"?
- 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.
- 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?