The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-12-16
SOON TO BE COMPLETED.
~rcaty of Arbitrat on Making Very Zap Il
Progress.

Progress.
WASHINGTON. Dec. lj.-Thc ncgotla-
ton~ between the United States and
treat Britain for a treaty Of general
arbitration, covering all subjects of diff
ference between the two English
speaking nations, present and pros
peCtlve, has advanced TO stage OF
completeness far beyond what the pub
he has had reason to believe The
purpose of Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian PauncefOtc Is to conclude ncEo-
tiatiOnS within the next three weeks
All of the substantial features of tn"
treaty have been agreed on. From tn"
present status of INTERPRETATIONS. 1t Is
believed the following Will be the I'M
portant terms of the treaty
Features OF the Treaty.
First-A term Of five years from the
date of the exchange ut ratification
within which the treaty shall be "per-
utiye
Scrond--A ruur. Of arbitration Of SIN
members, thrr" ~ be drawn from the
judiciary of the United States and
three trcm the Judiciary of Great
Britain.
Third-Thr submission to this tri-
bunal of all differences between the
two nations, or to arise within the
period of five years, this not to III
clude the Bering sea question or the
Venezuela question. now before inde-
pendent commissions, but to include
the question of the boundary between
Alaska and British North America.
Document of Importance.
The completion of this treaty will
mark an important epoch i'll the rela-
tions between the two English-s speaking
nations, and i'll the judgments of those
who have been most identified with its
consummation it will be the most i'm
pOrtant document of a peaceful char
acter in the history of their mutual
dealings. The president made passing
allusion to the s1 1bject i'll his recent
message 1t has been understood, how
ever. that the main purpose of Mr.
Olney was to reach an agreement as to
Venezuela, and that, having accom-
plished this, the larger question of
Arbitrating All Differences
would require considerable time for its
complete development. But the nego-
tiatiOns have proceeded with surpris-
ing unanimity so that those engaged III
the work confidently believe that it
will be fully agreed upon and the sig
natures of the contracting parties
placed to the documents within three
weeks This will give fully two
months for the consideration and rati-
tication of the treaty at the present
session of the United States senate,
and unless some unexpected obstacle
should arise i'll that quarter, there Is
every reason to anticipate that the
treaty
May BE Made Effective
before the close of the present admins
tration At least this is the confident
hope and expectation of those most con-
cerned in the negotiations.
Aside from the previously referred to
points, it can be stated in 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 III
recent years, and some of them have
threatened serious consequences.
Advantages of the Treaty.
The main purpose of the treaty is tc
guard against future differences
threatening rupture and in this the
negotiators believe that the terms OF
the instrument will be such as to avoiC
all possibility of international contiict
for the future. This is regarded as the
main achievement. 1t is one said to b'
peculiarly advantageous to the com
mercial interests of both countries, as
suring them against rnmors of war o.
the serious prospect of war. Th'
reasons for limiting the treaty to five
years are doubtless to place measure
Of this extent on fair trial
To Succeed Wear.