The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-21

arDltratIOn. His lOrdShlp said that the
negotiations between the United States
and Great Britain were not complete,
but that they are advancing amicably.
On the smaller question of Venezuela,
regarding which the United States had
assumed an attitude of friendly pro-
lection, difficulties arose out of the
fact that Venezu ela's claim placed
two-thirds of the coluny of British
Guiana subject to arbitration.
The first thing necessary was to as
certain the facts in regard to the con-
troversy from the history of Nenez-
uela. When that had been fully done
by 4 commission i'll which both cOun~
tries had confidence, he felt that the
diplomatic questions which would fol-
low would not be very difficult of adj
justment; but even if they should be,
those difficulties would be overcome
by arbitration.
1t had been impossible to move
faster, owing to the absence of full
knowledge of the facts in the case.
The labor involved had been enormous.
In regard to a general system of ar
bitration between the United States
~
there would be a difficulty in dealing
with cases so large as to contain is
sues of vital clara cter. After much
discussion with the United States
upon that point, he thought that the
tendency of the United States was to
desire the rapid and summary deciS-
ion of a question. The British govern
ment thought that the principle of OBJ
ligatOfy arbitration was attended with
considerable hazard. The proper ma
chinehy must be first provided.
In recent years the United States
has evinced a disposition to take up
the causes of many South American
republics, but this government had no
quarrel with that disposition. Great
Britain, his lordship added, had taken
similar interest in disputes regarding
the frontiers of Sweden, Holland, Bel
GUM and Portugal.
In studying the welfare of neigh
boring peoples, it is necessary to re-
member that the claims on such peo-
pies may possibly become a matter of
arbitration.
For these reasons, his lordship said
he had approached the question with
considerable caution He felt that in
a matter of such supreme importance,
IL WAS ucCOSSstIy u CdtlCIuI VI 5SNNAy
step that he was taking.
Lord Salisbury concluded by saying
that he had pursued, with the consent
of the United States, an unusual
course in laying these papers before
the house while negotiations were still
proceeding.
This had been done in order that the
best intellects on both sides should
apply themselves to a matter affect
ing the welfare of the whole human
race in such a singular degree, and
especially the good relations with the
United States, with which it was the
desire of the government to be on the
friendliest terms.
The remarks of the marquis of Sails
bury were greeted with hearty cheers
by the lords.
Not Quite So Favorable.
Washington, July 10. - The cores
pondence which has passed between
the governments of the United States
and Great Britain respecting the eS-
Enlistment of a general system of
arbitration for the settlement OF any
disputes which might arise between
the two countries and also for the set
Element by arbitration of the dispute
over the Venezuelan boundary, has
been made public in the shape of an
even dozen letters which have been eX-
changed this year between Secretary
Olney, Lord Salisbury, Sir Julian
Pauncefote and Ambassador Bayard.
The correspondence is of great inter-
est as making a sensible advance to-
ward the adoption by the two English
speaking nations of the principle of
arbitration as the means Of settling
disputes between themselves, but the
persons who have looked forward with
hope and expectation to the speedy
conclusion of treaties embodying the
arbitration principle for the settle
ment of either or both of the two
great open issues between the two ma
tions are doomed to disappointment,
for at the date of exchange OF the last
note, one from Secretary OlAey to the
British ambassador here, dated With
in a month past. points OF the most VI
tai nature in the case, not only Of the
Venezuelan question: but of the gen.
eral arbitration proposition as we'll,
were still the subject of discussion,
without much expectation of an early
adjustment.
Notable features Of he corresponds
ence are the fact that whereas Mr..
Bayard. by instruction of Secretary
Olney. proposed negotiations at WASH
ington respecting tie Venezuelan boun-
dairy dispute, Lord Salisbury broad
ened it into a general arbitration
scheme. following lead set by the
late Secretary Gresham in the spring
of 1895, so that Secretary OH ely later
insisted upon disassociating the two
subjects. evidently fearing an entang-
ling alliance otherwise; that as to gen
eral arbitration, the issues which still
nrevanf an agreement are the indis-