The herald., 1896-12-14
THE MOST IMPORTANT ACT
u the History OF tine Two Ang'o.Saxo
Nations
The Alaska Boundary Is Included In the
Agreement
The Board Will Be Cleared and Meth.
ods Adopted to Guard Against Fu-
ture Differences Between the
Earth's Greatest Nations

tjatiOnS between the United states ana
Great Britain for treaty of general ar
bitration covering all subjects of differ
ence between the two English speaking
nations, present and prospective, has
advanced to a stage of completeness far
beyond that the public has had reason
to believe the purpose of Secretary Oh.
ney and Sir Julian Pauncefote is to cen
clude the negotiations within the next
three weeks. All of the substantial
features of the treaty have been agreed
upon. 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
day of the exchange of ratifications
within which the treaty shall be operat-
i've.
Second-A court of arbitration Of six
members. three to be drawn from the ju-
dietary of the United States and three
from the judiciary of Great Britain.
Third-The submission to this tribunal
Of what differences between the two ma
tions are now pending. or to arise with
in the period Of five years. this not to in
clude the Bering sea question or the
pendent commissions, but to include the
question of the boundary between Alas
ka and British North America.
The completion of this treaty will mark
an important epoch in the relations be-
tween the two English speaking nations,
and in the judgment of those who have
been most identified with it's consumma-
tion, it will be the most important doc
ument of a peaceful character in the his
tory of their mutual dealings. The pres
ident made passing allusion to the SUBJ
ject in his recent message.
1t has been understood, however, that
the main purpose of Mr.. Olney was to
reach an agreement as to Venezuela, and
that having accomplished this, the larger
question of arbitration of all differences
would require considerable time for this
complete development. But the nego-
tiations have proceeded with surprising
unanimity, so that those engaged in the
work confidently believe it will be fully
agreed upon and the signatures of the
contracting parties placed to the docu-
ments within three weeks.
This will 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 antici-
pate that the treaty may be made ef-
fective before the close of the present ad-
ministration. At least this Is the conf
dent hope and expectation of those most
concerned in the negotiations.
Aside from the previously referred to
points, 1t can be stated in a general way
that the terms of the treaty are such
as to clear the board" of all the yexa-
tious questions which have arisen be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain. These have been numerous in re-
cent years and some of them have
threatened serious consequences But
those familiar with the exact terms of
the negotiations say that not one of
the causes of friction will remain. Some
of them are withdrawn from the opera
tion Of the treaty from the fact that
other methods of settlement already
have been agreed upon. This is the case
with the Venezuelan question. which.
Dy the recent agreement pertaining to
that subject alone, is committed to a
special court of arbitration.
The Ber1ng sea claims are now before
the commission created by a special
treaty. so that this will not fall within
the scope of the new treaty. Other ques-
tions have been similarly disposed of.
and considering them all, 1t is said by
those familiar with them, that the Alas
kan boundary will be the only pending
controversy likely to come within the
scope of the new treaty.
The main purpose of the treaty Is to
guard against future differences, threat
enlng rupture, and In this the uego-
tiators believe the terms of the instru-
ment will be such as to avoid all possi-
bility OF international conflict for the
future.
This is regarded as the main achieve
ment. 1t Is one said to be peculiarly
advantageous to the commercial inter-
ests OF both countries. assuring them
against rumors Of war or the serious
prospect of war. AS one of those con-
cerned IN the negotiations sums up the
result: When serious difference arises
between the two countries, instead of
public feeling that war may result and
consequent unsettling of commercial
interests as occurred during the Vene-
zuelan crisis, the public will know he
yond all possibility of rumor or report
that the difference Is one which will he
settled by arbitration, instead of by A
possible 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 reasons for limiting the treaty
OF five years are doubtless to place the
measure of this extent on fair trial. after
which. II the results are as anticipated.
the treaty can be renewed or made per-
manent
1t Is felt the character Of the men on
such court will remove it from the