The record-union., 1896-03-24
AN IMPENDING EVIL.

Lord Salisbury has replied to the me-
mortal of the recent mass meeting at
Queens Hall, London, favoring a per-
manent Board of Arbitration for set
tlement of all issues to arise between
Great Britain and the United States.
The Premier says that the Government
of the Queen is now considering pro-
posals in line with the thought OF the
memorial. He adds that such proposals
are now before the Government of the
United States.
This is going away from home to get
the news. If any such proposals of
official character have been made since
1893 the President has kept his own
counsel, while Lord Salisbury appears
to be under no obligations of secrecy
or diplomatic restraint in the matter.
If Lord Salisbury means that the mat
ter has been brought to the attention
Of the United States Government by
means of the memorial adopted at
Queens Hall, and which that meeting
ordered should be sent to the President
that is another thing. If he refers to
any resolutions that may have been
presented to Congress upon the sub
ject it would be interesting to know
just what they are. If, however, as is
more probable, and as is warranted by
the expression of the Prime Minister,
the English Government has proposed
a treaty to the President by which a
permanent Board of Arbitration is to
be raised, then the President has con-
sidered it a diplomatic secret, and Lord
Salisbury has been indiscreet in making
the reply he has to the memorial COM
mittee.
The President will conclude no such
treaty without consulting Congress,
since financial provision by bill would
be necessary for such a tribunal. Prob
ably that to which Lord Salisbury re-
fers is the resolution Of Parliament
and of Congress on the subject some
two years ago. We are not to assume,
If such a matter is again under consid-
GRAFTON by the President, that 1t goes
any further than an arrangement for
submitting possible cases to arbitra-
ton boards to be chosen as the cases
arise.
If the sentiment enkindled in favor OF
q permanent Board of Arbitration pre-
walls, as now appears probable, it will
be one Of the greatest mistakes ever
made by this Government. It will
amount practically to the annexation
of this country to the kingdom of Great
Britain. The idea of agreeing in ad-
vance that under all circumstances
when issues arise between the two ma
tions we will abandon diplomacy and
send the question to a tribunal one
kalf Of which and one over will be alien
foreign to us in interest, sympathy and
comprehension of the spirit of our in
stitutions, is humiliating and little
short of disgraceful. If the sentiment
prevails so far as to carry the nation
into such a compact we predict that in.
side of the time of the settlement of the
first twoissues which arise the American
people will be demanding recession from
the unhappy contract.
In the very nature of the thing it is
arising. Suppose question to appear
In which we are grounded beyond al
possible shaking that we are right
Under the proposed rule it must go tc
arbitration, and the chance taken oil
our being thrown down. The arbitra.
ton fadists reply, 'Well. that is better
than war" Not so; there are some
things more deplorable than war; one Of
them is dishonorable peace; another is
national humiliation; still another /:
loss of diplomatic independence.
No possible guarantee can be given
no surety put forward, that all issue:
to arise shall go to such a tribunal ol
that either nation will unfinchinglS
abide by the results. If, as is not i'm.
probable, England shall say on an issue
arising, that is a matter which we dC
not think involves your interest,
though we may hold to the contrary
WndL pDWG1 VIII k1EAG bC 10 CDu1pG
England to acquiese in submission o.
the matter to the permanent tribunal
Suppose another question like that o.
the Venezuelan boundary to arise. Eng
land will feel bound in common con
sistency to deny the jurisdiction of tht
permanent court-and what then?
Suppose on the other hand that I
question arises which we hold involves
the essence of the Monroe doctrine, vii
we be willing to submit that principl'
to the decision Of court one-half. ant