The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-14

WASHINGTON. Dec. rs.-The n~rotss.
tions between the United states ara ssr~.s
Britain for a treaty OF general ss,isration
covering I'll susJscts Of difference between
the we Eaxfisa speaking nations. pres
eat ana prospective has asva rs..ess q, q
stage OF compiescness far bsvond vhat
the public has had reason to besseva. TIL.
purpose oE Secretary ulaay and Sgr yufsa,s
f'aoncefote Is 10 conclude fhe ne~otsa t4.,ns
within the nexs three weeks. All az tn.
substantial features OF the treaty have
oeen aereea on. From the present status
aI the negouaaons. It Is believed the ses-
lowing viii be the important terms OF the
treaty.
First->A term cf ave years from tho .sav
OF the exchange of rstifrassons wsthin
which the treasy shall be oparative
-,,s seeona-,a ..a, eoaIx az Arbitration of six
dietary or the United States and thsscn
from the judiciary OF Great BrltAtr
Thira--The submission 20 this tribunal
or whatever diuerences between the two
nations ara Tow pending. or NAV as-f~s
within the period OF nse seNrs this not -
include the Bering sea ausstson. or lhs
Nsnezaelan question now before snsapsnA-
emf commasslons. but 70 Include fsaa Qlsss-
ton cf tho boundary between Asia and
British North America
The completion OF this treaty viii naar-sr
an important epoch In the resAtlons ee-
tween the two Englssh-speaisIng naticns.
and in the Judgment OF those who have
been most identified with its consururna-
tioa, IL win be the most important docu-
rnent OF a peacefa. character In tho hts-
tory of their mutual draiings. The cres-
ident made passing ailusion 20 the sub
ject in his recent message. II has heeu
understood, however. that the mais psar~
pose OF Mr.. osney was 70 reach an sgrae-
ment as TO Venezueia. and that having
accomplished this the larger aslestlsn of
arbitration OF al differences would re-
cuire considerable time Tor its complete
development. But the naxcsiattnns have
proceeded with surprising unanlmsty, 20
that these engaged In the work ccnfsdeul- :
iy believe II viii be fully agreed upon ara
the signatures OF the contracting parties
placed to the docunsnts within thrsa
weeks
This VIII give fully fwo monshs FOR ne
consideration and ratification Of the treAsy
st the present session Of thu United 6szsea
senate. and unless sone unexpected Oh
stacle should arise In thax quarter. th@ra
IL every reaaon 10 Anticipase that the
treaty may be raads enectfvs before the
close of the present x1miuIstrutIon. At
least tais.in the. ,randeu{ aop~ aEt sxp>cs
tation OF those tnoet cozlhel aed in sAc ~.
gotiattons.
: Aside from the prsvSoussy referred 70
points. II can ba etAtpd n eenerai way
that the terms of tsse treaty are sscA
as to clear the board of al the vexa-
sious questions which Axve arisen bs-
tween the United States and Great Britt
ain. These have been numerous TN rA-
cent years. and some OF them have threat
ened serious consequences but those sa-
niliar with the exact terms or tia rle-
Eotiattons say not 0ue OF the causes ef
friction win remain. Some OF them are
withdrawn from tho operation OF the
treaty. from the fact that other methods
OF settlement already have hasn agreed
upon. This Ii the case with tho Vsne-
zuelan question. whish. by tho recent
agreement pertaining 70 t1ast subtect
alone. Is committed TO q special court of
arbitration. The Bersrg sea claims are
now before a commission created by
special treaty, 50 that this. too. viii not
fall within the scope of the new treaty.
Other questions have been similarly dts
posed Of, and, considering them all, u ~
said by those familiar with them that
the Alaskan boundary wiz be tho Only
pending controversy likely TO como within
the scope OF tta new treaty.
The main purpose OF The treaty, how
ever, IS to guard against future differ
ences threatening rupture. and IN t1is
tho negotlators believe tho terms OF fhh
instrument such as 10 avoid all possibility
OF international conflict for the fntars.
This Is regarded ~ the main anhiese-
ment. III Gs one said 10 be peculiarly
advantageous to the commercial inter-
ests OF both countries. assuring them
against runeors OF war or the serious
prospect Of war.
As one OF those concerned In The Dsss-
tiatlons sums up the result: When sefi~
Gus differences arises between toe aNo
countries instead OF q public feeling th&e
war may rssslit and consequent unset
Ting OF commercial interests. ss occurred
during the Venezuelan crisis. the pnolir
will know beyond all posssbiiiiy OF runner
or report that the differe8ee Is one wnicn
VIII be settled by arbltrati IN. instesd OF
hy a possible resorf 70 srTns fnis pFotse-
ton O. public sentiment againsI aia,n =
falt TO be ro less beneficial. as one or tpa
features assured by tne tfeats, ta1h saa
plan OF arbitration ITSELF
The reasons for limiting the treaty "a
Eve years are doubtless to piarc uset4e'
ure OF fhla extent on fair tflal. s1trs
which. Ii the results arc ~ anticipAta "a.
thu treaty can be renewed or % mass
perm snent IL - felt that fns ensract<'
~ sha men on such court VIII remove y
sronn thn usual divisions based purely Bis1n
"a. nationality OF tie arbitrator. and
moreover. A majority vote OK toc 15bskfn-
| tors will bt dooBfiess rsauire1-
r, rerrot be rtateS deiinff&sy ~hefae'
the new treaty will cover dshsreneeS ~
| VOWED In national honor anH sossreaxuty
IRIS was . point OF disagrsensnt early y
| sna nexosiatlaus. IA - probsbsa. howeEsr
=. .'.S..r,ss IN wIli occur in this respect. Al
sn. treaty b. meant 10 ceyer tns asssi snc
| ordinary differences wtlaca ATi@s ostMeef
| nations. rather thar snnn s1lrIsat - -. J
| cents a. An insult % she Tag or &ny oths'
....se,,saf tnSixuitv. which are usually con-
.sAsrs-s 1afsida tae scope OF arbatrztians
All. TIE negotiations have been carries
/ on - wsshlnzsoa. and the signing OF Fh.
,~str.,snent xsa occur here. Mr.. oiney anf
/ ssr Julgan Pannnefofe have borne ~
/ arsaur Of the work. the latter executing ~
vsexs of Lord SALISBURY IA s1s1 -
/ -. ss-..s4isa 4ss final arrangements. Mr
/ TFavarg fas rot taken any Dart IN the -
I sgo.sz rss,rg Although indirectly be Eas con
/, frfbuted To she result