The Lamar register., 1896-12-19
AGREE TO ARBITRATE
NO WAR FOR ENGLAND AND
AMERICA.
Tho Arbitration treaty About
sabni-sioa to the senate--A Triumph
of the Administration.

arbitration covering all subjects OF
differences between the two English
speaking nations present aud prospect
i've, has advanced TO stage OF com.
pleteness far beyond what the public
pose OF Secretary oiney and Sir Julian
Pauncefotc is to conclude the negotia-
tons within the next three weeks.
All of the substantial features OF the
treaty have been agreed upon, From
the present states OF the negotiations
II Is believed the following will be the
important terms OF this treaty.
First-A term of FIVE years from the
date OF the exchange and ratification
within which the treaty shall be opcr
atiye.
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.
Thlrt-The submission 10 this trihu-
nal of all differences between the two
nations. now pending or to arise with
in the period OF ave years. this not 10
Include the Bering sea question or the
Venezuela question now before inde-
pendent commissions, hut to include
the question OF the boundary between
Alaska and British North America
The completion Of this treaty win
mark an important epoch In the rela-
tions between the two English speak,
Ing nations. and in the Judgment Of
those VINO have been most Identified
with its contamination. Il win be the
most important document OF peace
ful character in the history Of their
mutual dealings. The president made
passing alluslon TO the subject IN his
recent message. II has been under
stood. however. the main purpose of
Mr.. olney was to reach an agreement
as TO Venezuela, and that having ac-
complished this. the larger question OF
arbitratinE all differences would re.
qulre considerable time for Its com.
plete development But the ncgutia.
tions have proceeded with surprising
unanimlty. 50 that those engaged in
the work confidently believe Il will be
fully agreed upon and the signatures
Of the contracting parties placed to
the documents within three weeks
This VIII give fully two months for
the consideration and ratification OF
the treaty at the present session of
the United States senate. and unless
some unexpected Obstacle should arise
in that quarter there Is every reason
to anticipate that the treaty may be
made effective before the close OF tho
present administration. At least this
Is the confident hope and expectation
Of those most concerned In the neeo-
tiations.
The main purpose of the treaty
however, is to guard against future
differences threatening rupture. ana
in this the negotiators believe the
terms of the instrument win be such
as TO avoid all possibility of interpa.
donal conflict in the future. This is re.
garded as the main achievement. II
is one said to be peculiarly adyantay.
eous to the commercial interests az
both countries. assuring them against
rumors of war or the serious prospect
OF war.
As one Of those concerned In The no.
gotiations sums up the result: when
a serious difference arises between
the two countries, instead Of a pubrc
feeling that may result and a copsa-
duent unsettling of commercial inter-
agfS a naaur-o9 ys..-s. 4,