The contents of the case of the United States became immediately known to the British Ministers, but not for some weeks to the British people. The Ministers were not apparently disturbed in mind about it, although they discovered at once that it contained claims for national damages and indirect damages as well as for direct damages to individuals; but as soon as the newspapers got hold of this fact, they raised a tremendous hue and cry, and accused those who had prepared the case of taking an unfair advantage of the wording of the treaty. The Minister of the United States in London, General Schenck, informed Mr. Fish by cable of the agitation in London over the subject and of the demand of the newspapers that the claim for national and indirect damages should be withdrawn. Mr. Fish replied firmly that "there must be no withdrawal of any part of the claim presented." At this moment the session of Parliament opened and the Queen's speech contained a criticism of the extravagance of the claims of the United States in the case submitted to the Tribunal. The matter was warmly debated in Parliament, and on February 3d the British Foreign Minister, Lord Granville, opened a diplomatic discussion with Mr. Fish upon the subject. Mr. Fish, however, held his ground with great courage and ability, insisting that the claims of every character should be disposed of by the Tribunal in order to remove them from the domain of further controversy and in order to establish perfect harmony in the relations of the two countries. [Sidenote: The filing of the counter cases and the argument.] Before this discussion terminated the day arrived for the filing of the counter cases. They were both {313} promptly filed with a reservation of all rights by each of the high contracting parties. The diplomatic discussion culminated in an attempt to make a supplemental treaty, which should provide that the Government of the United States should withdraw its claims for national losses and indirect losses, on the condition that no such losses should be claimed by either Government in the future. But the day arrived for the filing of the arguments before anything was effected. The agent of the United States filed his argument on the day fixed, the 15th of June, but the British agent only filed a statement setting forth the differences between the two Governments in the interpretation of the Treaty in respect to claims for national and indirect damages, and the late negotiations and discussions between the two Governments concerning these differences. The British agent also expressed the hope that, if time were given, these negotiations would prove fruitful, and asked the Arbitrators to adjourn for eight months. [Sidenote: Obstacles.] [Sidenote: Decision of the Tribunal in regard to national and indirect damages.]