Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-07-01
OLYMPIA WASHINGTON TERRITORY SATURDAY MORNING. JULY 1871
The Treaty Of Washington,

The Treaty Of Washington,
The treaty of Washington is quite a
long document. In the preamble it states
that Her Britanic Majesty has authorized
the High Commission to express the re,
gret Of the British Government for the
escape of the alabama and other vessels
of like character from British ports, and
for the depredations caused by those YES.
sells. The arbitrators to whom these
claims are to be referred are 10 be named
one each by the President of the United
States, the Queen Of England, the Presi-
dent of the Swiss Confederation, the King
Of Italy, and the Emperor of Brazil.
Geneva, Switzerland, is named as the place
for these arbitrators to meet. As soon as
possible after the organization of the tri-
bunal, but within the space Of six months
after the rati6cations Of the treaty of
Washington are exchanged, oil the papers
and documents are to be submitted. 1t is
provided that in deciding matters to be
submitted to them the arbitrators shall be
guided by the following rules, viz.
First-A neutral government is bound
to use due diligence to prevent the fitting
out, armiug, or equipping, within its ju.
risdiction of any vessel, when there is rca.
sonable ground to believe it is Intended to
cruise or carry on war against power
with which it is at peace. And also TO
use like diligence to prevent the departure
of any vessel intended to cruise and carry
on war as above, such vessel having been
adapted in whole or in part within such
jurisdiction to warlike use.
Secondly-Not to permit or suffer either
belligerent to make use Of its ports or
waters as the base of naval operations
against tho other, or for the purpose Of re-
moval or augmentation Of military supplies,
arms, or recruitment of men.
Thirdly-To exercise due diligence on
its own ports and waters, and to all per.
sons within its jurisdiction to prevent any
violation Of the foregoing obligations aud
duties.
The British Government declares, how
ever, that it " cannot assent to these rules
as statement of principles Of interna-
tional law, which were in force at the time
the claims mentioned arose, but in order
to evince its desire Of strengthening the
friendly relations between the two conn.
tries, and Of making satisfactory provision
for the future, it agrees that iu deciding
the questions between the two countries,
arising out Of these claims, the arbitrators
should assume that Her Majesty's Govern
ment has undertaken to act upon the prin-
ciples put forth in these rules between
themselves in the future, and to bring
them to the knowledge Of other maritime
powers, and to invite them to acceac to
them" .. .-.. ..
1t is to be within the province Of the
tribunal to determine as to each vessel sep
arately, whether Great Britain has by any
act or omission failed to fulfill any Of
the duties set forth in the three rules
above laid down, and in case it shall be
found that Great Britain has SO failed, the
arbitrators are to proceed to award sum
in damages, the same to be paid in coin by
the Government Of Great Britain within
one year from the date of the award.
That portion of the treaty which relates
to the fisheries is quite long and for read
ers here it would possess little interest.
The San Juan boundary dispute, as already
announced, is to be referred to the a-bi-
tration of the Emperor of Germany.-Ofe
gOnian.