Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-17
NO CHANCE OF WAR
GENERAL ARBITRATION TREATY BIZ
TWEEN AMERICA AND ENGLAND.
Arrangements Progress So Favor"p-
Nv Tb,t II Is Predicted the
Treaty viii BE Completed ana
SiEn.d within Three Wccks-fhe
Treaty WIZ Put "a stop to ire
cuent OF War.

Washington. Dec. 14.-The negotla-
lions between the United States M
| Gpat Britain for q treaty of generai
arbitration. covering all subjects OF
difference between the two English
speaking nations, present and pros
pecrivc. has advanced to a stage OF
completeness far beyond what the pub
lie has had reason to believe. TN
purpose of Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian Pauncefote is to conclude the
negotiations within the next three
weeks. All of the substantial features
of the treaty have been agreed on.
From the present status of the neSot1a-
| tions il is believed the following VIII
be the important terms Of the treaty:
First-A term of five years from the
date Of the exchange of ratification
within which the treaty shall be ope-
rative.
Second - A court of arbitration or
six members. three 10 he drawn from
| the judiciary of the United States and
three from the judiciary of Great Brit
ain.
Third-The submission to this tn
bunal of all differences between the
two nations; or to arise within the
| reriod of five years. this not to include
| the Bering sea question or the Ven
| ezuelan question. now before ~independ-
| ent commissions, but to include the
| question of the boundary between
| Alaska and British North America.
Epoch I'm History.
The completion of this treaty VIII
mark an important epoch in the rela-
lions between tie two nations. n in
the Judgment Of those who have been
| most identified with its ConsumInGtlon,
1t will be the most in portant docu-
ment of n peaceful character in the
| history, of their mutual dealings. The
president made passing alinSion to the
subject in his recent message. 1t had
been understood. however. that the
main purpose of Mr.. Olney was TO
reach an agreement as TO Venezuela.
and that having accomplished this, tie
larger question of arbitTating all diff
~ferenceS would require considerable
time for it's complete development. But
the negotiations have proceeded with
surprising mnanimity SO that those en-
gagged in the work confidently believe
that it will lie fully agreed upon and
the signatures OF the contracting par
ties placed to the document within
three weeks.
Aside from the previously referred
to points. it can he stated in n general
way that the terms OF the treaty are
such as to "clear the board of all the
veXatiouS questions which have arisen
between the United States and Great
Britain. These have been numerous in
recent years, and some of them have
threatened serious consequences. But
t,ose 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
operation of the treaty from the fact
that other methods of settlement al
ready have been agreed upon. This is
he case with
The Venezuelan Question,
which, by the recent agreement per-
tanning to that subject alone, is COM
mittcd to q special court of arbitration.
The Boring sea claims are now before
a commission created by special
treaty, so that this, too, will not fall
within the scope of the new treaty.
Other questions have been similarly
disposed of, and considering them all,
it is said by those familiar with them
that the Alaskan boundary will be the
only pending controversy likely to
come within the scope Of the new
treaty.
The main purpose of the treaty, how
ever. Is TO guard against future diff
feronces threatening a rupture. and in
this the negotiators believe that the
terms of the instrument win be such
rs to avoid all possibility of interna-
tional conflict for the future.
This is regarded as the main achieve
ment. 1t Is n said to he peculiarly
advantageous to the commercial inter-
ests of both countries, assuring them
against rumors ~ war or the serious
prospect of war. As one Of those con-
cerned in b negotiations sums up the
result: When a serious difference
arises between the two countries, in
stead of public feeling that war may
result and a consequent unsettling OF
commercial interests, as occurred dur
ing tine Vel Zuelan crisis. the public
Will. know beyond all possibility of
m or report. that the difference Is
one which will Do settled by arbitra-
ton instead OF q possible resort to
arms. This public sentiment against
alarm Is felt to be 10 less beneficial as
one OF the features assured by the
treaty, than the plan Of arbitration
itself.
The reasons for limiting the treaty
TO five years are doubtless to place a
measure of this extent on fair trial. af-
ter which, il the results are as good as
anticipated, the treaty can he renewed
or made perm anent.
A Brave yvomnn
Wooster, Ohio. Dec. 14.-At an early
hour this morning three masked mon