The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-04

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OF two continents. Most welghty Of all,
and this Is my serious but confident con-
clusion, IL ne does, the American people
will consider fighting for arbitration as
fighting for peace.
a Pertinent Question.
beg your attention 90 one other urgent
matter. The Behring sea commission de-
clared that America should pay $i25,0Oo
or appoint a commission TO determine tho
damages. Secretary Gresham made 1t
clear that the assent OF congress was es-
sential to the payment. Congress, In
spite Of President Clcveland's pressure,
refused. The presidents message of Dec
y last. said that II congress still declined
TO affirm the award. sit certainly will
hardly dissent from the proposition that
the government is bound by every consid-
Grafton OF honor and good faith to provide
for the speedy adjustment OF these claims
by arbitration as the only other alterna-
tive. A treaty OF arbitration has there
fore been agreed upon, and will be imme-
diately laid before the senate so that in
one OF the modes suggested a iinal settle
ment may be reached"
Now this treaty has been drawn up, dis
and by the British ambassador here.
Where Is it2 IL is lying I'm London In the
hands OF tho British government. Mean
while the president Is unable 90 keep his
promise to congress, and must soon make
awkward explanations II nothing is done.
The instant conclusion of this treaty is
demanded by the effect upon the public
opinion Of both countries of one reference
TO arbitration. while another is hanging
fire; and by the proof 1t would afford of the
absence OF bellcose feeling here and of the
sympathetic attitude of England. Pray
urge this in the interests of peace.
The Chronicle publishes from the blue
books n summary OF the negotiations with
Venezuela between 1854 aud 1886. Com
menting upon this summary, The Chron-
icle says: Evidently some important
documents are missing from the official
publications, and the public have been
left In ignorance Of much OF the real evil
dence. All the documents we have re-
Gently published were accessible TO the
government agents, and IL the foreign
Office possesses evidence TO strengthen
Lord Salisbury's position, surely 1t Is time
IL was published.
The Chronicles Appeal.
morning: The American case in its latest
Developments Is now before Great Britain.
We can only suggest that IL demands a
most careful consideration.
We withdraw nothing that we have said
as TO the impossible character of the deal,
and that England must accept the decs-
ion OF an American tribunal; but we ask
whether all the suggestions enumerated
by our commissioner can be met with q
blank refusal.
We ask for n cool and quiet preparation
of the national mind, above ALL for a de-
termination TO put aside passion and
prejudice and consider simply how peace
may be kept and the nations reasonably
satisfied.
Lord Salisbury Is master OF the situa-
ton He will have public opinion behind
him in u resistance 10 claims inconsistent
with the honor OF the empire. Above all.
let us have a Behring sea treaty at once as
an earnest of the settlement of the Ven
ezuelan problem.
or Coursei
LONDON. Jan. 4.-The Times declares
that any overtures i'm the spirit of Mr..
Schurz's proposed joint commission must
emanatc from the United States. or
course, says The Times, IL the United
States is willing TO limit the work OF the
Venezuelan commission to mere inquiry,
and should invite England TO cooperate.
we should have seriously to consider her