The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-15
NO CHANCE OF WAR
GENERAL ARBITRATION TREATY BE-
TWEEN AMERICA AND ENGLAND.
Arrangements Progress SO Favorab-
~ That 1t Is Predicted the
Treaty VIII Be Completed and
Sign ID Within Three Weeks-The
Treaty Will Put stop to Ere
cuent RumOrs of War.

Washington, Dec 15.-1'he negotia-
tons between the United States and
Great Britain for treaty of general
arbitration. covering all subjects OF
difference between the two English
speaking nations, present and pros
pective, has advanced to a stage OF
completeness far beyond what the pub
lie has had reason to believe. The
purpose of Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian PauncefOte is to conclude the
negotiations within the next three
weeks. All of the substantial features
of the treaty have been agreed on.
From the present status of the negotia-
tions it is believed the following will
be the important terms of the treaty:
First-A term of five years from the
date of the exchange of ratification
within which the treaty shall be Ope-
rativc
Second = \ court of arbitration of
six members, three to be drawn from
the judiciary of the United States and
three from the judiciary of Great Brit
ain
Third-The submission to this trl-
bunal of all differences between the
two nations. or to arise within the
Eeri0d of five years, this not to include
the Boring sea question or the ven
ezuelan question, now before independ-
ent commissions, but to include the
question of the boundary between
Alaska and British North America.
Epoch i'm History.
The completion of this treaty will
mark an important epoch in the rela-
lions between the two nations, and in
the Judgment of those who have been
most identified with its COnSummG ton,
it will be the most in portant docu-
ment of a peaceful character III the
history of their mutual dealings The
president made passing allusion to the
subject i'll his recent message 1t had
been understood, A1,Wever, that the
main purpose of Mr.. Olney was to
reach an agreement as to venezuela.
and that having accomplished this, the
larger question of arbitrating all diff
ferences would require considerable
time for its complete development. But
the negotiations have proceeded with
surprising unaninity so that those Ell
gagged in the work confidently believe
that it will be fully agreed upon and
the signatures of the contracting par
ties placed to the document within
three weeks
Aside from the previously referred
to points it can be stated in a general
way that the terms of the treaty are
such as to clear the board of all the
vexatious questions which have arisen
between the United States and Great
Britain. These have been numerous i'll
recent years. and some of them have
threatened serious consequences But
those familiar with the exact terms of
the negotiations say that not one OF
the causes of friction will remain.
Some Of them are withdraw n from the
operation of the treaty from the fact
that other methods of settlement al
ready have been agreed upon. This is
the case with
The Venezuelan Question,
which, by the recent agreement per-
tanning to that subject alone is COM
mitted to a special court of arbitration.
The Boring sea claims are now before
commission created by special
treaty, so that this, too, will not fall
within the scope of the new treaty.
Other questions have been similarly
disposed Of, aud considering them all,
it is said by those familiar with them
that the Alaskan boundary will be the
only pending controversy likely to
come within the scope of the new
treaty.
The main purpose of the treaty, how
ever, is to guard against future diff
ferences threatening rupture. and in
this the negotiators believe that the
terms of the instrument viii be such
as to avoid all possibility OF interna-
tional conflict for the future.
This is regarded as the main achieve
ment 1t is one said to be peculiarly
advantageous to the commercial inter-
ests of both countries, assuring them
against rumOrS of war or the serious
prospect of war. AS one of those con-
cerned in the negotiations SIMS UP the
result: When serious difference
arises between the two countries, in
stead Of public feeling that war may
result and consequent unsettling of
commercial interests, as occurred dur
ing the Vel eZuelan crisis. the public
will know beyond all possibility of
rumor or report. that the difference is
one which will be settled by arbitra-
ton instead of a possible resort to
arms This public sentiment against
alarm is fell to be 10 less beneficial as
one of the features assured by the
treaty than the plan of arbitration
itself
The reasons for limiting the treaty
TO five years are doubtless to place q
measure of this extent on fair trial. af-
ter which if the results are as good as
anticipated. the treaty can be renewed
or made permanent
A Brave Woman