Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-14
ASSURES PERMANENT PEACE
Arbitration Treaty with Great Britain Soon
to Be Oonsummated,
WIDE SCOPE OF THE GREAT MEASURE
VIII lie No Cause for Alarm over Fu-
turc Differences, No Matter
How Importnnt-Its Gem
crnl Terms.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The negotiation,
between the United States and Great Britain
for a treaty of general arbitration, GOVERNS
all subjects OF difference between the tive
English speaking nations, present and pros
pective. has advanced to a stage of com
pleteness far beyond what the public has
had reason to believe. The purpose of Sec
retary Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote is
to conclude the negotiations within the next
two weeks. All of the substantial features
of the treaty have been agreed on. From
the present status of the negotiations 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 operative.
Second, a court of arbitration of six mem
bers, three to be drawn from the judiciary OF
the United States and three from the judi
clary Of Great Britain.
Third the submission to this tribunal of
all difference between the two nations now
pending or to arise within the period of five
years, this not to include the Bering sea
question or the Venezuela matter now before
independent commissions, but to include the
question of the boundary between Alaska
and British North America.
The completion of this treaty will mark
an important epoch in the relations between
the two English speaking nations. and in the
judgment of those who have been most iden-
titled with It's consumation, 1t will be the
most important document of peaceful char
acter in the history of their mutual dealings.
The president made passing allusion to the
olbjcct in his recent message. 1t has been
underpsood, however, the main purpose OF
Mr.. Olney was to reach an agreement as to
Venezuela, and that having been accom-
plished, the larger question OF arbltrating all
differences would require considerable time
for its complete development. But the ne
gotiations have proceeded with surprising
unanimity, so that thoSa engaged in the
work confidently believe it will be fully
agreed upon and the signatures of the con-
tracing parties placed to the documents
within three weeks. This will give fully two
months for the consideration and ratification
Of the treaty at the present session Of the
United Stater senate, and unless some uneN-
pec.ed obstacle should arise in that quarter
there 10 every reason to believe that the
tr,aty may be made effective before the close
of the present administration. At least this
io the confident hope of these most concerned
in the negotiations
Aside from the previously referred to
points ii can be stated in a general way that
the terms of the present agreement are such
ae to clear the board Of all the vexatious
questions which have arisen between the
United States and Great Britain.
NUMEROUS DIFFERENCES.
These have been numerous in recent years
and some of them have threatened serious
congequeuces But these familiar with the
exact terms of the NEGOTIATIONS say not one
Of the causes of friction will remain. Some
of them are Withdrawn from the operation
Of the treaty from the fact that other meth
obs of settlement already have been agreed
upon. This is the case with the Venezuelan
1.,v N.nVNH
pertaining to that subject alone, is sub
mtted to a special court Of arbitration. The
Berng sea claims are now before a COM
mission created By special treaty, so that
this too, will not fail within the scope of the
treaty Other questions have been similarly
disposed of and, considering them ALL it is
said by those familiar with them that the
Alaskan boundary will be the only pending
con roversy likely to come within the scope
of the new treaty. The main purpose OF the
treaty, however, is to guard against future
differences threatening n rupture, and in this
the negotiators believe the terms Of the in
strument Will be such as to avoid all posSi-
bilty of international conflict for the future.
This is regarded as the main achievement.
IL is one said to be peculiarly advantageous
to the commercial interests of both coun-
tries assuring them against rumOrs of war
or the serious prospect of war. AS one Of
those concerned in the negotiations Sums
up the result
when serious ulHeTenCe dIiStS DtlNtSH
the two countries, instead of public feeling
that war may result and IA consequent un-
settling of commercial interests, as occurred
during the Venezuelan crisis, the public will
know, beyond all possibility of rumor or re
port. that the difference is one which will
be settled by arbitration instead of a pos
sible 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 rea-
sons for limiting the treaty to five years
are doubtless to place measure of this
extent on fair trial, after which, if the re-
suits are as good as anticipated, the treaty
can be renewed or be made permanent.
CHARACTER OF THE COURT.
at is felt that the character of the men
in such a court will remove 1t from the usual
divisions based purely upon the nationality
of the arbitrator, and, moreover, majority
vote of the arbitrators will doubtless be re-
quired. AS yet it cannot be stated def
nitely whether the treaty will cover differ
ences involving national honor and sover-
eighty This was a point OF disagreement
early in the negotiations. II Is probable
however, an exception Will occur in this
respect, as the treaty Is meant to cover the
usual and ordinary differences which arise
between nations, rather than such eXtraor,
binary events as an insult to the flag or any
other national indiguity, which are usually
considered outside the scope Of arbitrations.
All the negotiations have been carried on
in Washington, and the signing of the in
strument will occur here. Mr. Olney and Sir
Julian Pauncefote have borne the brunt of
the work the latter executing the views of
Lord Salisbury in such Il way as to eXpe-
dite the final arrangement Mr.. Bayard has
NOT taken mart In the negotiations although