The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-07-18
ABOUT ARBITRATION
Old Correspondence Between the United
States and Great Britain.
THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE
Arguments OF Olney, Lord Sails
bury and Lesser Lights In the
Diplo matte Circles of the Iwo
English Speaking Nations.


dence which has passed between the
governments Of the United States and
Great Britain respecting the establish
ment of a general system of arbitration
Tor the settlement OF any disputes that
may arise between the countries and
also for the settlement by arbitration OF
the disputes over the Venezuelan boun-
dary. has been made public In the
shape OF an even dozen letters which
have been exchanged between Secreta-
ry Olney, Lord Salisbury. Sir Julian
Pauncefote and Ambassador Bayard.
The correspondence is of great interest
in marking a sensible advance towards
the adoption between the two English
speaking nations OF the principle of ar
bitration as the means OF settling dis
putes between themselves. The per-
sons who have looked forward with
hope and expectation to the speedy con-
clusion of the treaties embodying the
arbitration principle for the settlement
OF either or both OF the great open is
sues between the two nations, are
doomed to disappointment. for at the
date Of exchange of the last note. one
from Secretary Olney to the British
ambassador here. dated within a month
past. points out the most vital nature
in the case. not only Of the Venezuelan
question specifically, but of the general
arbitration proposition as well.
The notable features OF the cores
pondence are the fact that whereas,
Mr.. Bayard. by instruction of Secretary
Olney, proposed negotiations at Wash
ington respecting the Venezuelan boun-
dairy dispute. Lord Salisbury broadened
| q l...< IA ft....
following the lead set by the late Sec
retary Gresham In the spring of 1895,
that Secretary Olney later insisted up
on disassociating the two subjects, evil
IDENTIFY fearing an entangllng alliance
otherwise: that as TO general arbitra-
tion, the issues which still prevent an
agreement are the indisposition of the
British government to include terri
torial disputes save with the addition
of provisions that, in the estimation OF
Secretary Olney, will render the at
tempt to arbltrate nugatory because
there are no means of making the lind
iugs of the arbitrators binding upon
the parties or of removing them from
the possibility Il infinite appeals. AS
! to the Venezuelan matter specifically,
the difficulty that cannot be overcome
is the refusal of the British to submit
to the action Of arbitration the terri
tory upon which British subjects have
actually settled. Imitation arbitration
Is what Secretary Olney designates
Lord Salisbury's project, while the
British premier criticises Secretary Oh
neys plan as calculated to result in
evils worse than war. In the institution
of innumerabe suits to recover claimed
territory.
The correspondence proper begins
with a note dated Feb. q last from Mr.,
Bayard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
His instructions continue to indicate
an urgent desire to have the question
removed as soon as practicable from
the atmosphere OF political controversy.
Therefore he proposes TO enter upon
negotiations at Washington to effect
this purpose. He also asked for clear
definition of the settlements" by indi-
viduals In the territory in dispute
| which Great Britain desires should be
excluded from arbitration. Within four
days of the receipt Of this note Lord
Salisbury made reply. readily concur
ring i'm the suggestion to begin negotia-
tlons. and noting the desire OF the Brit
ish government to bring the difference
! between themselves and Venezuela to
an equitable settlement. The day fol-
lowing this note. March last, Lord
Salisbury addressed letter to Sir Ju-
liam Pauncefote In which he refers to
the exchange OF communications In the
preceding spring between the ambassa-
dor and the late Mr.. Gresham upon the
esta ablishment of system OF interna-
tional arbitration for the adjustment OF
disputes between the two governments,
further consideration Of which at that
/ Itr svt,s,tt az "a NO
TO which IL was unnecessary to refer.
Lord Salisbury added that II had
again been brought into prominence by
the controversy which had arisen upon
the Venezuelan boundary. This divert
ed the discussion to the general arbl-
tration proposition and upon the latter
Lord Salisbury proceeded TO discourse
as follows:
The obstacle which separated them
(the two governments) has been the
! difficulty OF deciding how far the un-
/ dertaking to refer all matters In dis
pute Is to be carried. Neither govern
/ ment Is willing to accept arbitration
upOn which the issue Of national honor
or Integrity Is involved. But In the
wide region that lies within this houn-
/ dary. the United states desires 10 go
l further than Great Britain For the
view entertained by her majesty's gov
ernment. there is consideration to plead
that a system OF arbitration II an en-
| tlrely novel arrangement. and there
| fore the conditions under which II
/ should be adopted are not likely TO be
/ aGcertained antecedently. The limits
ultimately adopted must be determined
by experiment In the interest of the
/ idea and of the pacific results which
. Wratar