The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-09

The American correspondent of the
London Chronicle has been doing some
effective work in the way of bringing
about better understanding in England
of the true state of public feeling in this
country relative to the Venezuelan con-
troversy. He has caused u marked
change in the course of the Chronicle,
and no doubt a proportional one In the
views of many of its readers. Just now
he is making an earnest effort to bring
about a peaceable solution of the ques-
ton by arbitration, not between Eng
land and Venezuela, but between Eng
land and the United States. He says:
If Lord Salisbury will say that, although
he must maintain his ref isal to arbitrate
on Venezuela by itself, he is prepared to
conclude treaty with the United States,
under which all questions failing of diplo-
matte settlement shall be submitted to ar
bitration, and that this, of course, would
include Venezuela, as the greater includes
the less, the American government, know,
will receive his communication with warm
sympathy. Herein is a dignifed and, in
deed, the most simple and friendly escape
from the deadlock.
The correspondent is probably correct
in saying that proposition or sugges-
ton for a general treaty of arbitration
for the settlement Of international dis
putes coming from England would be
well received and favorably entertained
by the United States. OF all nations
these two should be most willing to SUBJ
NIT their disputes to that mode Of set
Element. Both are already in a measure
committed to the policy. There have
been more arbitrations between the
United States and Great Britain than
between any other two nations. In
fact, the cases Of arbitration between
the two great English-speaking nations
almost outnumber all others combined
The treaty of Client. following the war
Of 1912. provided for three distinct arbi-
trations to settle boundary disputes and
the ownership Of certain islands. In
1926 Great Britain paid the United States
s1,204.960, awarded by arbitration, as
compensation for negro slaves wrong
fully taken during the war of 1872. The
decision was made by the Emperor Of
Russia and the amount fixed by q COM
mission. An arbitration Of questions
arising out of the fisheries disputes was
held in 1S53-54, and another Of a boun-
dairy dispute in 1869. The treaty Of
Washington Of May. 1871, provided for
four arbitrations. the most important be-
ing that OF the Alabama claims in favor
of the United States. And, finally, there
was the Boring sea arbitration, the con-
clusion OF which is still pending. This
government has also had two cases Of
arbitrations with Spain, two with Mex
leo, three with Hayti, two with Vene-
zuela and a number with other South
American states. Altogether the United
States has entered into forty-seven
agreements for the arbitration of inter-
national disputes. and has seven times
acted as arbitrator OF disputes between
other countries.
In June, 1883. Senator Sherman. from
the committee on foreign relations, re-
ported a joint resolution requesting the
President Ito invite, from time to time.
as fit occasions may arise, negotiations
with any government with which the
United States has or may have dip
lomatic relations. to the end that any
differences or disputes arising between
the two governments which cannot be
adjusted by diplomatic agency may be
referred to arbitration and be peaceably
adjusted by such means" In 1874 a reso-
luton In favor of general arbitration was
passed by the House OF Representatives.
In 1883 a memorial was presented to
Congress. signed by 233 members of the
British Parliament. urging the conclu-
sion Of q treaty between the United