Evening journal., 1896-07-17
PEACE WITH ENGLAND.
A Convention of Great Impor-
tance Nearly Finished.
NEW TREATY WITHGREAT BRITAIN

All Controversies Now Pending or which
May Hereafter Arise Between This ceun-
try aud Great Britain to lie Referred to
a Joint Commission Of Arbitration.
WASHINGTON, July 17.-kn extremely
important document will bu issued TO the
public from the state department In a few
DAYS This is the draft OF an arbitration
treaty with Great Britain. under the pro-
visions of which the Venezuelan boundary
dispute and future political differences be-
tween that country and the United States
are to be considered and determined by
10 or / / commissioners. The terms of the
treaty have been under discussion hy Sec
rotary Olney and Lord Salisbury for the
last month. Mr.. Olney has acted for and
with the full knowledge OF President
Cleveland Lord Salisbury's representa-
tive has been Sir Julian Pauncefote The
proposition that treaty OF the kind be
agreed to originated with Mr.. Cleveland
and was communicated TO Lord Salisbury
by Secretary Olney, speaking through
Great Britain's ambassador here. From
| tho present outlook, certain details OF the
| draft will not be completed for some days,
as full agreement has not been reached
relative to the scope Of one of the articles,
| and ns TO the composition OF the commits
| sion for the formation Of which the treaty
! will provide. Tho main features OF all
the articles have, however been approved
/ by representatives Of the high contracting
J parties.
Tho section Of the compact relating to
the Venezuelan question was one Of tho
first decided on. A present IL is OF course
the greatest in Importance b.mong tho sub
jects considered. The publication OF tho
draft without more delay, even though IL
Is not in finished state, is In conformity
with the request Of Lord Salisbury, who
was recently interrogated in parliament
as to the attitude OF the British govern
ment in this matter. He then said that
he would shortly be in position to reply
TO tho question. His plan seems to be to
give TO parliament the terms of all the
articles Of the treaty agreed to and to in
dicato the progress made toward the APP
proval of others.
Diplomats In Conference.
For the last few days Secretary Olney
and Sir Julian Pauncefote have been fire.
quently in conference relative to the arti-
cles. Some existing differences Of opinions
have been overcome, and today it Is
, thought that early next week Lord Sails
4
treaty Is in readiness for ratification.
A treaty between the United States and
Great Britain on any subject is necessarily
of much Importance. A diplomatic con-
, tract binding the respective governments
to submit all political differences to settle
ment by arbitration Is one Of great inter
national consequence. Tho adoption Of an
3 agreement of the kind at this time, wher
. ! tho Venezuelan boundary question Is &
Q | grave issue between the two countries
, | adds both weight and interest TO tho pro
, | posed new convention.
S In the history of this country numhe
a of treaties between It and Great Britain
d have been ratified. The first was In 1852
o when John Adams, benjamin Franklin
John Jay and Henry Laurens and tn
d commissioner Of his Britannia maiest
d agreed to terms Of peace between the cole
D. nies and the mother country The las
10 formal agreement related to sealing i
't Bering sea.
J. The treaty now under consideration
a will be farreaching In Its effects. II rat
10 fed by the senate, it will bind the Unite
$ States to submit to arbitration all politicn
differences which arise between Grea
u Britain aud the United States in the fu
10 ture or so long as the convention is Il
a force Between countries situated as ar
the United States ard Great Britain seri
b; Gus differences are bound to arise. In sue
cases as the Venezuelan boundary dispute
!, for example, war even is a possibility
Tho articles of the new convention wi
+ dispense with the use of arips as the arb
ter of issues which may arise hereafter
s They will distinctly provide that all cues
tions between the high contracting partiC
5 that arise and involve grave political al
fairs must be considered and decided b
j / arbitration mentioned in the treaty.