New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-06

whether Lord Salisbury does not draw too close
IL the limits of permissible arbitration in Nenez-
uela. 'The Sheffield Independent Is afraid OF
american political trickery," and urges 'he
British Government to proceed slowly "Tne
Leeds Mercury reports strong popular sen'i-
ment in Great Britain against any war or I'M
frendliness between that country and this. and
thinks the disposition to resort to arbitration IL
sincere on both Sides and will be successful.
The Dundee Advertiser fears an arbitration
treaty with the United States may lead to much
haggng with some Of the petty communities
to whom"-as 1t perversely imagnes-'the
United States plays the part Of protector Still.
It thinks II would be sin to let slip wholly IDS
opportunity of concluding an agreement Of per-
petual amity between the two great nations
"The Birmingham POST which may be regard
ed as rejecting Mr. Chamberlain's views vigor-
ously thumps man Of straw, declaring that
Great Britain cannot agree in advance 10 SUD
nit grave questions involving her honor ana
the integrity Of her territories to be submitted
to a possibly prejudiced court of arbitration.
Like the poets katydh. this estimable journal
sometimes says IAN undsputed thing In such n
solemn way" THE Liverpool Courier frankly
recognizes that there are two sides to the Nenez-
uelan dispute, and that the Venezuelans honest
" believe themselves to be in the right.
The most thoughtful and, we are inclined 10
think, most satisfactory discussion of the whole
general subject appears in The Spectator OF
London That journal lays down four principles
which it deems essential to an acceptable treaty
of arbitration. These are: First, exclusion OF
points held by Power to Involve its honor ana
integrity; second. inclusion Of all other points
whatsoever: third, constitution of court winch
will win the confidence and respect of both ma
tons, and fourth endowment of the court with
power to come to an absolute and final decision
on any matter laid before it. The first two OF
these agree with Mr.. Olney's plan much more
nearly than with Lord Salisburys. Indeed, "Ihe
Spectator" explicitly dissents from the latters
scheme of restricting and scheduling arbitraDle
questions On the third there Is theoretical
agreement all around; but when we come to
practical details THE Spectator favors the ap-
pontment simply Of three Supreme Court
Judges from each country. one Of the six being
chosen president, who should have an extra
casting vote in case of a tie; and 1t objects to
Mr. Olney's plan of having the six add to their
number three other jurists. I'VE do not want
it says, three pedantc foreigners TO informed
IDLE in our affairs, and if men OF Anglo-Saxon
blood are chosen, who is to have the odd man,
eve or the Americans| Finally, on the fourth
point THE Spectator agrees with Mr.. Olney
that majority vote Of the court should be de-
csive and final, and regards Lord Salisbury's
demand for unanimous or all but unanimous
vote as unacceptable.
Such utterances as that of THE Spectator
are of inestlmable value, both as educators OF
public opinion and as practical suggestions to
statesmen who have the negotiations In hand.
The plan proposed Is not, in all its details, per-
feet. though perhaps more nearly so than either
of those officially put forward. Its four car
dinal principles will doubtless. however. he gen
orally regarded as just and sound, and as fur
nishing a suitable basis for such n treaty of
arbitration as Is now sought to be negotiated.
Voluntary arbitration Of all questions not in
vovng the honor and integrity of a nation, be
fore a tribunal commanding full confidence ana
empowered to give II final decision in every case
submitted to 1t. should not, after ALL be a diff
cult thing to attain. THE Spectator thinks
workable treaty might be concluded within the
next six months. If all men of light and lead
ing on both sides Of the ocean would address
themselves to the matter in the reasonable and
intelligent spirit displayed by "The Spectator
even that estimate might not prove too OPP
timistic