The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-14
NO MORE WAR TALK
Between People OF Great Britain
and United Stntcs.
ARBITRATION TREATY IS DONE
And will bo Signed Within Three Weeks.
All Differences between the Two Coun-
tries will Hereafter bo Settled by, Trib.
unai ofSiI Members, Three From tho
Judiciary orEuch Nation, ana Itesort 70
Arms will Not Occur. -'

WASHLNGTON, D, c., Dec. 1J,-Tho
negotiations between tho United States
and Great Britain for n treaty OF gem
eral arbitration. covering all subjects
OF difference between the two English
speaking nations, present and prospec-
tive. has advanced TO stage OF CON-
pletencss far beyond what the public
has had reason 10 believe. The pur-
pose OF Secretary Olncy and Sir Ju-
Ian Pauncefote Is to conclude tho ne
gotiations within the next three weeks
All OF the substantial features Of the
treaty have been agreed on. From tho
present status OF the negotiations Il Is
believed the following will be the lm-'
portant terms OF the trenty:
Flrst-A term OF five years from the
date OF the exchange Of ratification
within which the treaty shall be oper-
ative. :.
Second-A 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-Thc submission to this tribuu-
nal OF all differences between the two
nations, now pending or TO arise within
the period Of five years, this not TO In
clude the Bering Sea question or tho
Venezuela question, now before inde-
pendent commissions, but 10 include
the question OF the boundary between
Alaska and British North America.
The completion Of this treaty will
mark an important epoch In the re-
lations between the two English
speaking nations. and In the judg-
ment OF those who have been most
identified with Its consummation, It
will be the most important document
OF peaceful character in the history
OF their mutual dealings. The negotia-
tlons have proceeded with surprising
unanimity so that those engaged In
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 ratification
OF the treaty al the present session of
the United States Senate, and unless
seine unexpected obstacle should arise
in that quarter there IS every reason
to anticipate that the treaty may be
made effective before the close OF the
present administration. AT least this IS
the confident hope and expectation OF
those most concerned In tho neSotia-
tlonS.
Aside from the previously referred
to points 1t can be stated In n general
way that the terms OF the treaty are
such as to clear the board" OF all the
veNnttouS questions which have arisen
between the United States and Great
Britain. These have been numerous in
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
these causes OF fr!ctIors will remain.
Some of them are withdrawn from the
operation OF the treaty from the fact
that other methods OF settlement al
ready have been agreed upon.
The main purpose OF she treaty, how
ever, IS to guard against future differ
ences threatening rupture, and in
this the negot!ators believe that the
terms OF this instrument will be such
as TO avoid all possibility OF interna-
tlonal conflict for the future.
This Is regarded as the main achieve
ment. II Is one said TO be peculiarly ad-l
vantagcous to the commercial Inter-
ests OF both countries, assuring. them
agalns. rumors Of war or the serious
prospect of war. AS one OF those con-
Cerned IN the negotiations sums UP tle :
result: When serious difference arises
between the two countricsI Anstead OF
public feeling that war may result
and consequent unsettling of COM
mercial interests, M occurred during
the Venezuelan crisis. the public will
know beyond all possibility of rumor
or report that the difference is one
which will be settled by arbitration IN
stead OF n possible resort to arms.
This public sentiment against alarm
Is felt to be no less beneficial as one OF
the features assured by the treaty,
than the plan OF arbitration itself.
The reasons for limiting the treaty
10 five years arc doubtless 10 give a
measure Of this extent fair trial. af-
ter which. II the results are as good ns
anticipated, the treaty can be renewed
or be made permanent.
AS yet It cannot be stated dennltc-
ly whether the treaty Will cover differ
cnccs involving national honor and
sovereignty. THIS was n point OF dis
agreement early IN the negotiations. It
Is probable. however, chat an excep-
ton will occur In this respect as the
treaty Is meant 10 cover the usual and
ordinary differences which arise be-
tween nations, rather than such eS'
traordlnnry event as IN Insult to the
flag or any other national indiEnltys
which are usually considered outside
the scope OF arbitrotions 49,
All the negotiations have been car
ried on In Washington md the signing
Of the instrument will occur here.