New-York tribune., 1896-01-08
A WAY OUT FOR SALISBURY
THE CHRONICLE" SUGGESTS 4 COM
PREtENSIvE ARBITRATION TREATY.


vIsED NOT TO BE MIsI.ED BY THE
OPTIMISTIC SENTIMENTS
OF NETWORK
London. Jan. s.-Henry Norman "The Chron-
icle's" Washington correspondent telegraphs as
follows:
There Is heroic way Of settling the whole diff
Guilty fraught with honor to both Governments.
and with results of priceless worth to both peo-
pies The present delay consists in the fact that
the United States Government considers itself in
honor bound to insist upon certain course which
the British Government considers itself In honor
bound to refuse to adopt. Every day spent here
has convinced me more strongly that II Is impos-
sible to eXaggerate the seriousness OF such
international situation. II the British public is
msled by the optimistic sentiments of New-Yorll
1t may find itself suddenly face to face with an
appalling danger. If the American Government
acts only In the belief that because Great Britain
is threatened with a European crisis therefore
she will knuckle down TO any American demand,
II may suddenly discover that the European
crisis has blown oTer. and that war with Eng
land Is on Its hands ! once more repeat my
solemn conviction that the overwhelming ma
jority of the American people will suppor. their
Government In war on behalf of the principle OF
arbitration. where American interests are be-
lieved to be involved At the same time | posi-
lively reassert that the President and the cab
met earnestly desire an amicable settlement. and
individual members Of the Administration con-
fess that they fail to comprehend the reason for
Englands attitude Of mere blunt refusal In all
the Government departments here the situatio" Is
regarded as very serious despite every effort made
on behalf Of peace.
SETTLEMENT WITH HONOR TO BOTH.
Now. the kernel OF the dispute being the prin-
ciple OF arbitration. the solution may be found
therein also If Lord Salisbury will say that.
although he must maintain his refusal to arb!-
tiate on Venezuela b. its.'t. he IS prepared To
conclud. a treaty with the United States under
which all questions failing of diplomatic settl"-
ment shall be submitted to arbitration. and that
this. of course, would include Venezuela. as the
greater includes the less the American Govern
ment | know will receive his communication
with warm sympathy. Herein IL 81 digniiicd and.
indeed the most simple and friendly escape
from the deadlock.
Remember that resolution to this effect was
adopted by Congress on Apiii T. 1880. and re-
sponded to by resolution of the House "i COM
mons supported in its decision by MI Clad
stone on June is. 1899. \ second joint resolution
OF Congress introduced in the Senai" by
Senator Allison June 20. 1894. and referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations where II
still remains.
Two things block the way The first l. that
If any arbitration treaty was ever under discus
sion It was laid aside when Congress. by re-
fusing that $4,000 temporarily nvalidat"s the
Paris Behrng sea Commission award
But. as | have already said in former as
patch. treaty is partly concluded. t. Which
America Canada and the BRUSH AmbassadcI IN
Washington have all assented. pacing this mat
ter in direct way Of settlement ohseiV" lnat
The statement is today telegrapted from London
,lta fS plA1
The statement is entirely base!ess Cana0a has
formally and finally agreed. II only awaits IN"
assent OF the Foreign once ior this i''t'1 -
become operative. ] reassert there are both SUI
prise and regret felt here at N" delay. ~ =
urgently desirable that this treaty be pless"d FOR
ward. go
have been removed.
NO THREATS FRON AMERICA.
The second difficulty is the English feeling that
any action taker now would appear 20 he due
to American threats In reply - this 1t L.
quite certain tha, neither President Cleveland
nor Mr. Olney consider themselves 10 be threat
eniDe England They only desired after years
OF fru;tless diplomatic discussion. 10 make the
attitude Of their own country clear beyond me
chance Of furthe: misunderstanding. If l1pFd
Salisbury has any doubts upon this point an
inquiry through the regular diplomatic chan-
nels Mr. Bayard Sir Julian PaunceiOie, WILL
| am convinced. dispel the notion that tn"
Government
menacing attitude not proper in dip'omatc com
munications Moreover if Lord Salisbury Is
aggreved by the expression OF the American
;oyernment the American Government In lis
trrn considers Itself legitir1ately agerlcvcd by
Lord Sasbury's tone and his virtual pooh
pooling the doctrine which they had IorInaHy
declared they regarded az vital 10 the NauOnal
welfare Therefore these sentiments balance
each other and there Is every ground for mutual
agreement and assurances that no ohence was
intended. ,,
leading to a grand recognition before the Who'll"
world OF the PRINCIPE OF Ic r
! | am confident that the American public is
| equally ready, end | know that the American
| Government is ready. This being so. what
| blocks the way to an almost immediate rc-
| moval Of Venezuela from the field OF intcrna-
! tiona discussion. and the complete ieStora-
| ton Of cordial relations between the TWO peo-
| pies who while only too ready 10 fight for
| principle. are even reader to agree upon
! civilized settlement henceforth and forever?
PRACTICAL UNITY IN AMERICA
If Lord Salisbury is able to move dpomati
! cally In the direction Indicated 1t Is certain
| that the meeting OF the Venezuelan Commls-
| sion would be instantly adjourned until the
| time was ripe for common discussion OF the
question when the treaty should become 'a"
| 7 will only add # II were my last word. that
| n would be a lamentable mistake FOR England
to believe that there Is any division OF opinion
worth considering in thi5 c3un.y' b ,re #
| the United States and have been feeling that
| nuae for over week, and assert despite
| criticism or contradiction, that America VIII
| sneak with practically one voice in support OF
| the cabinet in the Venezuela matter:
| II Lord Salisbury decides that IT Is mpossiple
10 take any step. let him and England AT icaSl
| recognize what Is the alternative.
"The Times's" editorial dispatched to the papers
here to-day is calculated 10 produce sreat ana
Let favorable effect. a few more such Wise"
nnncilstory and statesmanlike uterances on
ho,h sides and the nations will be marching mana
In hand down the Christian road of peaceful
negotiation
1.-THE CHRONICLE EDITORIALLY.