History and Digest of the International Arbitrations to which the United States Has Been a Party

His conception of his office was expressed in one of his opinions. "The arbitrators," he said, "appear to me at least to have a duty to the parties before the tribunal to state their convic. tions of the exact truth without fear or favor." Guided by a clear, accurate, and discriminating perception, Mr. Adams performed this duty with the utmost fidelity; and at the conclusion of his labors he received the commendation of Her Majesty's government' as well as of his own.3

Reception of the Award by the Public.

In the United States the award of the tribunal of arbitration was received with satisfaction, though during the pendency of the proceedings the course of the government, especially in regard to the presentation of the indirect claims, was made the subject of attacks which the progress of a Presidential contest did not tend to mollify. In England public opinion, as reflected by the press, was somewhat divided, it being influenced, no doubt, as in the United States, to some extent by party feeling. The Times viewed the settlement of the question with profound satisfaction, while the Standard was fierce in denunciation of it. The Telegraph declared that the victory had been magnificent, though it was England that must pay the bill. The Saturday Review thought the result "profoundly mortifying to Englishmen." The Daily News said that the arbitrators had done better for the parties than they could have done for themselves. The Morning Post referred to the whole transaction as "a bungled unsettling settlement." The Morning Advertiser characterized what was said in defense of the treaty and arbitration as "wild, sentimental rubbish." "19 The London Observer hailed the award as a triumph of the cause of peace.10 The Nonconformist said that the Geneva arbitration had rendered a service to civiliza

1 Papers relating to the Treaty of Washington, IV. 228.

2 Papers Relating to the Treaty of Washington, II. 584.

3 Papers Relating to the Treaty of Washington, IV. 546. See, for acknowledgments of the services of the neutral arbitrators, For. Rel. 1872, pp. 109, 320, 648.

Mr. Fish and the Alabama Claims, 104.

5 September 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23.

6 September 10, 12, 16, 17, 18.

7 September 9, 16, 17.

8 September 9, 16.

9 September 9.

10 September 8.