The rumours about the American Answer are very conflicting, and
appear to have no slight connection with the Stock Exchange. At the beginning of the week it was said that Mr. Fish had reso- lutely declined to withdraw the indirect claims. Now, the New York Herald is said to assert that the difficulty will be got over by asking England to accept as a principle of international law that indirect or consequential damages for the escape of hostile cruisers from neutral ports shall never be claimed, and consequently not by England if such cruisers should escape from American ports, when England is a belligerent and the United States are neutral. Of course we should be most willing and anxious to give such a pledge. Indeed, Great Britain has all along contended for that principle, so that if such a proposal were made, it would be a mere absolute acquiescence in the British view. Hence, we greatly distrust the rumour. However, the Tribune also seems to be writing as if the indirect claims had been surrendered, and there is no doubt that the general condition of American opinion now condemns these absurd claims. After all, hopefulness may not be entirely out of place, difficult as it is,—and it is hardly possible, —to see how the United States' Government can recede without incurring a good deal of ridicule in America from the position they have taken up.
