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Arbitration, tribunal of,

In the history of the United States and Great Britain, the name of that body of arbitrators appointed under the treaty, negotiated by the joint high commission (q. v.) principally to settle the claims of the United States against Great Britain, growing out of the depredations of the Confederate cruiser Alabama (see Alabama, the). For arbitrators, the United States appointed Charles Francis Adams, and Great Britain Sir Alexander Cockburn. The two governments jointly invited the Emperor of Brazil, the King of Italy, and the President of the Swiss Confederation, each to appoint an arbitrator. The Emperor appointed Baron d'itazuba, the King chose Count Frederick Selopis, and the President of the Swiss Confederation appointed James Staempfli. J. C. Bancroft Davis was appointed agent of the United States, and Lord Tenterden that of Great Britain. These several gentlemen formed the “Tribunal of arbitration.” They assembled at Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 15, 1871, when Count Selopis was chosen to preside. After two meetings they adjourned to the middle of January, 1872. A final meeting was held in September the same year, and on the 14th of that month they announced their decision on the Alabama claims. That decision was a decree that the government of Great Britain should pay to the government of the United States the sum of $15,500,000 in gold, to be given to citizens of the United States in payment of losses incurred by the depredations of the Alabama and other Anglo-Confederate cruisers. That amount was paid into the treasury of the United States a year afterwards. The other matters in dispute were settled. The question of boundary on the Pacific coast was referred to the Emperor of Germany, who decided in favor of the claims of the United States to the possession of the island of San Juan, the domain in dispute.

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