The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-14
FOR PERMANENT PEACE.
The Arbitration Treaty with Eng
Y land Nearly Completed.
WILL BE READY IN THREE WEEKS.

u Is Believed That, Unless Some UnoK.
pected Obstacle Should Arise, the
Treaty VIII Bs Made Effective During
the Present Administration.
T. WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-The negotiations
between the United States and Groat
Britain for treaty of general arbitration,
covering all subjects Of difference between
the two English-speaking nations, present
and prospective, has advanced to stage
of completeness far beyond what the pub
Lie has had reason to believe. Tho pur.
pose Of Secretary Olney and Sir Julian
Pauncefote is to conclude the negotiations
within the next three weeks. All of the
substantial features of tho treaty have
been agreed on. From the present status
Of the negotiations it is believed the fol.
lowing will be the important terms Of tho
treaty:
First-A term of five years from the
Gate of tho exchange Of ratification within
which the treaty shall bo operative.
Second-A court of arbitration of siH
members, three to be drawn from the jul
dietary of the United States and three
from the judiciary of Great Britain.
Third-The submission to this tribunal
Of all differences between tho two nations,
now pending n to arise within the period
II five years, this not to include tho Beh.
ring Sea question or the Venezuela ques-
ton, now before Independent commits
sions, but to include the question of the
boundary between Alaska and British
North America.
The completion Of the treaty will mark
IN important epoch in tho relations be-
tween the two English speaking nations,
and in the Judgment of those who havo
been mostly identified with its consllm-
nation it will be the most important
document Of n peaceful character in the
history Of their mutual dealings Tho
president made passing Illusion to tho
subject in his recent message. 1t had
bsen understood, however, that tho main
Aprpose Of Mr.. Olney was to reach an
hSSaement as to Venezuela, and that hay
Ing accomplished this, the larger question
OF arbltratng all differences would require
considerable time for its complete develop
msnt
But the two nations have proceeded with
surprising unanimity, so that those en-
gagged in the work confidently believe that
1t will be fully agreed upon and the slg-
natures of the contracting parties placed
to the documents within three weeks.
This will give fully two months for tho
consideration and ratification of tho treaty
al the present session of the United States
senate and unless some unexpected OBJ
gtacle should arise in that quarter there Is
sysry reason to anticipate that tho treaty
may be made effective before the close Of
the present administration.
Aside from the previously referred to
points it can be stated in o genolal way
that the terms Of the treaty are such az to
''clear the board of all the vexatious
questions which have arisen between tho
United States and Great Britain. These
have been numerous in recent years, and
some of them have threatened serious
CONSEQUENCES. But those familiar with
the exact terms Of the negotiations soy
that not one of these causes Of frictions
will remain
The main purpose of the treaty Is to
guard against future differences threaten
ing a rupture, and in this the negotiators
believe that the terms of tho instrument
will be such as to avoid all possibility OF
international conflict for the future This
Is regarded rs tho main achievement 1t
Is ono said to bo peculiarly advantageous
t. the commercial interests of both coun-
fries assuring them against rumors of
war or the serious prospect of war. AS
one of those concerned in the negotiation
sans up tile result:
"When serious ference arises between
the two countries, instead of u public feel
iRy that war may result and consequent
Of al N At
/, CURED during the Venezuelan crisis tho
Spublic will know beyond all possibility of
irRmor or report that the difference is one
Aich will be settled by arbitration i'll
stead of u possible resort to arms"
As yet it cannot bo stated definitely
whether the treaty will cover differences
Involving national honor and sovereignty.
This was point Of disagreement early in
the negotiations 1t is probable, however,
thnt an exception will occur in this re-
spect as the treaty is meant to cover tho
usual and ordinary differences which
arise between nations, rather than such
extraordinary events as an insult to tho
flsg or any other national indgnity,
which are usually considered outside the
scope of arbitrations.
All the negotiations have been carried
on In Washington, and the signing of tho
instrument will occur here Mr.. Olney
and Sir Julian Pauncefote have borne tho
brlnt of tho work. tho latter executing
tbs views of Lord Salisbury in such way
rs to expedite tho final arrangement. Mr.
Bayard had not taken part in the nego-
tiations, although indirectly ho has con-
tlibuted to the result.