The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-24
ARBITRATION IN GENERAL.
Treaty Completed with England
Must Yet he Considered by the
Senate and House

WASHINGTON. Dee. 23.-There Is no
longer any doubt that the general arbltra-
ton treaty between the United States and
Great Britain Is practically completed 10
the satisfaction OF both governments, and
that its presentation TO congress may be
expected in the near future. Several
minor amendments have been suggested
and accepted from time 10 time during the
progress of the negotiations. but x is Eow
confidently believed the copy which vas
forwarded TO Lord Salisbury by Sir Julian
Pauncefete about a week ago will 1T once
receive the formal approval of ;he Brit
ish premier, and be returned % Washing
ton I'm time 70 be presented % The senate
for ratification Immediately on the reas-
semhling OF congress after the holiday re-
cess. January 8.
As already outlined exclusively in the
Associated Press dispatches. the life OF
the treaty Is purposely made very short.
only five years. but this Is with the ex-
pectation % a renewal for a longer peri
Cd II 70 shall prove 10 work well. and also
70 afford easy opportunity Tor amend
ment. It's purpose Is 90 dispose peaeeabiy
and honorabiy Of such questions as arise
between the United States ani Great
Britain as VIII not admit OF adjustment
by the ordinary methods Of diplomacy.
excluding questions Involving the nation
al homer.
The personnel Of the arbitration COM
Ugtee is TO be e the highest character.
men selected by the judiciary OF each
country In equal numbers. three from
each side. and provision II made against
a failure through - tie vote by the bring
ing in q an umpire.
&elther the Venezuelan question nor
the Berlns sea issue Is 10 so before this
corr mission, but ITS first work viii be 10
close zap the Alaskan boundary contro-
versv and some other open issues OF mi
NOE interest. but equal importance.
Unlike she Venezuelan boundary az
Faugemens. this treaty must so 10 the
senate FOR ratification. and fne house Of
representative VII also nave an oppor-
tuu.ty, Indirectly. 70 pass Judgment upon
g. for legislation wlH BE- necessary 10
provide means 20 maintain the commits
sion. TaH fate Of tae project IN congress
ear cnty BE- corr ecfure4 AZ present some
fear IS expressed that the ISSUE made BY
Secretary N.nsy over the Cuhan question
may somewhat te0p4r5IEe this GROWING
piece Of Il nten1acy by ;nc5J1sgS criticism
and the display o. tfl-fes&inx on the BART
az senators Who feel their preroga Ewes
have beer iavatle3 il - known also that
ether senator's favorable % tie project Of
arbitration nave tnetr own peculiar ideas
about means. whoa sfey may attempt %
tsrry cut by amendments 20 The treaty.
IL tbese aye ~ snail Importance. they
may he accepted ~ sac executive, ard ~
ths British government bat fae vyss5s
great pra8ect % 3 general arbitration
treaty = ore "a aicA tsp}omatssts feet must
- eurege1 upen wlta the Ereltest eau
ttoa. An3 the agreement - far effected has
fv-eG achieves N5ta sNcn difficulty Shaf
ss-aefoe proposed aT khe amendments r~o-
baby woa}5 lca6 90 gee fazlur. % fne
treaty. ard thus give a foggul8Ao3e setback
- the = eols movement