Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-12

\SS0SD0 SIS
REVERSE OF UNITED STATES SEAL
ing indefinitely, and some are entered
into merely for specified period of
time, but treaties are usually intended
to be lasting. AS soon as treaty is
completed in every sense of the word.
and proclamation has been made, the
public printer at Washington prints
500 copies of it for the use of the de
partment of state; because the depart
ment sends a copy to each of its repre-
sentatives in the country with which
the treaty has been made. Copies are
also sent to all of our diplomatic
officials who may be in any way affected
by the treaty, so that all may be proper
! ly informed and govern themselves ac-
cordingly. The great seal of the United
States is affixed to the original ratified
copy, to the exchanged copy, and to the
proclamation of the treaty. 1t is
stamped on wafer of white paper and
is stuck to the document with muci-
lage. The seals of South America
countries are similarly affixed, but the
treaties with European countries are
always sealed in wax.
The sealing of treaty is q formal
ity of vast Importance, and every ma
uon carefully guards its seal so that it
cannot be improperly used The great
seal of the United States is under loci:
and key in the department of state
and is always closely guarded, so that
It is practically impossible that anyone
shall ever get an imprint of it. The
seal is die made by prominent jew
elry firm in New York, and it is regard
ed as one of the most beautiful seals in
the world, in point of skilled workman
ship as we'll as in it's design.
Treaties are regarded as of such con-
| fidential importance that they a,e
never diYulged before the time for
| their proclamation. Newspaper cor
respondents will resort to all manner
of devices in order to get advance copy
of a treaty. In 1872 the whole word
was astounded when the New York
Tribune published in advance full
copy of the pending Washington
treaty" with Great Britain. The cor
moncd here and placed under arrest,
but they declined to state where they
received their copy of the treaty. They
were imprisoned for two OF three weeks,
but were finally discharged. They
would not tell. Newspaper correspond
ents at Washington are usually honor,
able men who will suffer themselves
rather than betray the men who favcr
them with news.
In 1894 there was a sensation caused
IN the diplomatic world when press
association published the Russian eX.
tradition treaty. But nobody could dis
cover how it became public. That
treaty had been pending for several
years, and several senators were deter
mined to kill it, because they did no.
want this country to be searched for
criminals escaping from Russia. They
said that the treaty was too much like
| the fugitive slave law, and it was while
this discussion was going on in secret
session that the treaty was stolen, or
! puroined or borrowed. and uncere-
moriously published.
The treaties on file in the department
of state are very interesting, but sell
'Iom seen. The seals of the various coun-
rries are curious. The seal of Great
i'ritain is as big as a plate, and repre-.
| sents Victoria on her throne, The treaty
with Persia is in a silk lag three feet
| long. The eXtradition treaty with
Sweden is in a silver case inclosed in
box of polished wood with brass clasps.
| I lp los ,,.ith C1,;no oil