The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-14
FOR PERMANENT PEACE.
The Arbitration Treaty with Eng
land Nearly Completed.
WILL BE READY IN THREE WEEKS.


It Is Believed That, Unless Some Unex-
peoted obstacle should Arise, the
Treaty VIII he Made Effective During
the Present Administration.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE negotiations
between the United States and Great
Britain for treaty of general arbitration,
covering all subjects of difference between
the two English-speaking nations, present
and prospective, has advanced to a 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 the treaty have
been agreed on. From the present status
of the negotiations it is believed the fol-
lowing will be the Important terms of the
treaty;
Eirst-A term of five years from the
date OF the exchange of ratification within
whioh the treaty shall be operative,
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--rhe submission to this tribunal
Of all differences between the two nations,
now pending or to arise within the period
of five years, this not TO include the 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
an important epoch in the relations be-
tween the two English speaking nations,
and in the Judgment of those who have
been mostly identified with its consum-
nation 1t will be the most important
document of peaceful character in the
| history of their mutual dealings. The
president made passing Illusion to the
subject in his recent message. 1t had
been understood, however, that the main
purpose of Mr.. Olney was to rench an
| agreement rs to Venezuela, and that, hav-
ing accomplished this, the larger question
of arbitratng all differences would require
considerable time for it's complete develop
ment.
But the two nations have proceeded with
surprising unanimity, so that those en-
gagged in the work confidently believe that
it will be fully agreed upon and the sig
natures of the contracting parties placed
to the documents 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 OBJ
stacle should arise in that quarter there Is
every reason to anticipate that the treaty
may be masle effective before the close of
the present administration.
Aside from the previously referred to
! points it can be stated in general way
that the terms of the treaty are such as to
''clear tho 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 those familiar with
the exact terms of the negotiations say
| that not one of these causes of friotions
will remain.
The main purpose of the treaty is to
guard against future differences threaten
ing rupture, and in this the negotiators
believe that the terms of the instrument
will be such as to avoid all possibility Of
international conflict for the future This
is regarded as the main achievement 1t
is one said to be peculiarly advantageous
to the commercial interests of both coun-
tries, assuring them against rumors of
war or the serious prospect of war. AS
one Oh GnOSe COnCerneu III tHe Hc8OtluulOn
sums up the result:
"When O serious difference arises between
the two countries, instead of public feel
ing that war may result and consequent
unsettling of commercial interests, as oc-
Cured during the Venezuelan crisis the
public will know beyond all possibility of
rumor or report that the difference is one
which will be settled by arbitration in
stead of possible resort TO arms"
AS yet it cannot be stated definitely
whether the treaty will cover differences
involving national honor and sovereignty.
This was u point Of disagreement early in
the Negotiations 1t is probable, however
Lhat mn exception will occur in this re-
specS, as the treaty is meant to cover the
usual Gad ordinary differences which
arise between nations, rather than such
extraordinary events as an insult to the
flag or any other national indignity,
which are usually considered outside the
scope Of arbitrations.
All the negotiations have been carried
on in Washington, and the signing of the
instrument will occur here Mr.. Olney
and Sir Julian Pauncefote have borne the
brunt of tho work, the latter executing
the views of Lord Salisbury in such o way
as TO expedite the final arrangement. Mr.
novapd Ind mot hakau napf in the DaoO-