Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1896-12-30
TREATY IS COMPLETED
Arbitration Agreement Ready
for Congress.
Is SATISFACTORY TO ENGLAND
Certain Senators May Oppose 1t on
Account OF Olney's Attitude ON
the Cuban Question.

Washington, Dec 25.--There is no
longer any doubt that the general arbi.
tration treaty between the United
States and Great Britain is practically
completed to the satisfaction of both
governments, and that it's presentation
to congress may be expected in the
near future. Several minor amend
ments have been suggested and accept
ed from time to time during the prog
ress of the negotiations, but it is now
confidently believed the copy which
was forwarded to Lord Salisbury by
Sir Julian Pauncefote about week
ago will at once receive the formal ap-
proval of the British premier and be
returned to Washington in time to be
presented to the senate for ratification
Immediately on the reassembling Of
congress after the holiday recess.
AS already outlined, the life of the
treaty purposely is made very short
only five years-but this is with the ex-
pectation of renewal for longer
period if it shall prove TO work well,
and also to afford easy opportunity for
amendment Its purpose is to dispose
peaoeably and honorably of such dues-
tions as arise between the United
States and Great Britain as win not
admit Of adjustment by the ordi-
nary methods of diplomacy, exclud-
ing questions involving the national
honor. The personnel of the arbitra-
tion commission is to be of the highest
character-men selected from the ju.
dietary of each country in equal mum
bers, three from each side, and pro.
vision is made against failure through
tie vote by the bringing in of an um-
pire.
Neither the Venezuela question nol
the Behring sea issue is to go before
this commission, but its first work
probably will be to close up the Alaski
boundary controversy and some othel
open issues of minor interest, but rea
importance.
Unlike the Venezuela boundary ar.
rangement, this treaty must GO TO ouI
senate for ratification. and the hous,
of representatives will also have al
opportunity, indirectly, to pass judg
ment upon it, for legislation will b.
necessary to provide the means to main
tain the commission.
The fate Of the project in congres
can only be oonjsctured at present
Some fear is expressed that the issu
made by Secretary Olney over the Gu
ban question may somewhat jeopardiz,
this crowning piece of diplomacy by
melting criticism and the display Of il
feeling ON the part of some senators
who feel their prerogatives have beer
invaded. 1t is known also that Other
senators favorable to the project of ar.
bitration have their own peculiar ideas
about means, which they may attempt
to carry out by amendments to the
treaty. If these are of small import
ance, they may be accepted by the
British government, but the whole
great project of general arbitration
treaty is one which diplomats feel must
be entered upon with the greatest eau
tion, and the agreement SO far effected
has been achieved with such difficulty
that any considerable departure from
the scheme proposed by the amendment
! possibly could lead to the failure o
the treay and thus give a formidabl,
setback to the whole movement