The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-18
Thirteen Communications Made
Public by the State De-
partment.
oLNEY AND sALIsBURY's IDEAS.
Various Methods Proposed for Set.
Element of the Venezuelan and
Other Disputes.

WASHINGTON, d. u, July 1.-THE
efforts of the United States and Great
Britain to agree upon general arbitra-
ton treaty for the settlement of all con-
troversies through the establishment of a
permanent tribunal, as well as the diplo-
matte negotiations toward solving the
Venezuelan problem, are set forth in thir-
teen communications made public by the
State Department tonight.
While they constitute the first authori-
tative disclosures upon these great ques-
tions since President Cleveland's famous
Christmastide message to Congress, it will
be found that previous reports OF the
United Press of the negotiations between
the two Governments have accurately out
lined the course of events.
Little substantial progress toward gen.
eral arbitration treaty is disclosed by the
documents. An outline in part of the
posed procedure is laid down and tBe
views of the two Governments are so ex-
plicitly stated that future discussion may
be confined towards narrowing the few
EMERGENCIES of method. The further fact
Is made apparent that the United States
has not relaxed its vigilance in demanding
a just settlement of the Venezuelan
boundary question, and has rejected the
British proposals for arbitrating that dis
pute under terms involving the surrender
of any part of Venezuela's claims.
The correspondence opens with letter
from ambassador Bayard to Lord Sails
bury, dated February p last, proposing
an entrance forthwith upon negotiations
concerning the Guiana boundary ques-
ton at Washington between the British
Mr.. Bayard added that Secretary Olney
greatly desired that there should be pro-
pounded a clear definition of the 'settle-
unents'' by individuals in the disputed ter
ritory, which 1t was understood Great
Britain wished excluded from he pro-
posed arbitration.
Lord Salisbury in reply on March said
bis Government readily concurred in the
suggestion and sent instructions to Sir
Julian Pauneefote. directing him to dis
cuss the question, and with the Venezue-
Ian representative or the Unitad States,
acting as the friend of Venezuela. He had
asked the Secretary of State for the colo
mics for the precise meaning attached to
the word settlements"
Lord Salisbury's instructions to Sir
Julian Pauncefote, dated March 5, form
the third document, and are devoted to the
system for general international arbitra-
tons. negotiations of the establishment
of which had been ruptured by Secretary
GTesham's death.
Lord Salisbury submits q draft of 8
treaty for arbitration, which provides that
her Britannia Majesty and the President
of the United States shall each appoint
two or more permanent judicial officers
for the purpose of the treaty and on the
appearance of any difference between the
two powers which, in the judgment of
either of them, cannot be settled by nego-
tiation, each of them shall designate one
of the said officers as arbitrator, and the
two arbitrators shall hear and determine
any matter referred to them in accordance
with this treaty.
Before entering on such arbitration the
arbitrator shall select an UNI pre- by whom
any question upon which they disagree,
whether lnterlocutory or 6nal shall be de-
cided. The decision of such an umpire
upon any interlocutory question shall be
binding upon the arbitrators. The deter
mination by the arbitrators, or if they dis
agree, the decision of the umpire shall be
the award upon the matters referred. Ali
pecuniary claims amounting to more than
100000 for damages or indemnity, all
questions affecting diplomatic or consular
privileges, alleged right of fishery, access.
navigation or comm ercial privilege. and
all questions referred by special agreement
between the two parties, shall be referred
to arbitration anG the decision shall be
final.
In cases of questions of fact or of Inter
la irip
torial rights, sovereignty or claims invoIy-
ing more than 100000. the decision of the
board of arbitration shall be subject to re-
view within three months by a court
composed of three of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of Great Britain and three
Of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the
United States, and if this court shall de-
termine by majority of not less than five
to one on.any issue the award shall be
final, but in default of such determination
It shall not be valid. If no protest is en-
tered by either power against the award
within the time limited it shall be final.
Any difference in the judgment of either
power affecting its honor or the integrity
OF It's territory shall not be referred to ar
bitration under the treaty except by spe-
cial agreement, but any difference what
ever by agreement between the two powers
may be referred for decision by arbitra-
tration with the stipulations that unless
accepted by both powers the decision shall
not be valid.
In the instructions Sir Julian is told
that all matters in dispute cannot be re-
ferred to arbitration upou issues involv-
ing national honor or integrity, but within
this wide range the United States desires
to 20 further than Great Britain.
Secretary olney. IN reply to April IL. de-
ciares that Lord SaIisbury's proposals are
welcomed with the keenest appreciation
OF their value, and of the enlightened and
progressive spirit which animates them.
But oy the direction of the President he
proposes as a substitute an amendment
that arbitration shall also be obligatory in
respect TO all questions now pending or
hereafter arising involving territorial
rights, boundaries, sovereignty or iurisdic-
ton, or pecuniary claim or group of
claims aggregating sum larger than