The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-15
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRA-
TIUN.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Great Britain and America to be
on Terms of Peace for at Least
Five Years-Treaty Signed,
Sealed and Delivered,
Now Awaits Congress
sional Action.

Secretary Olney, in behalf of the
United States, and Sir Julian Paunce-
forte, on the part of Great Britain, last
Monday, affixed their signatures to
new treaty, 10y which for a term of
five years the two Englsh-speaking
nations agree TO abide in peace aud
without resort to arms, all possible
questions of controversy being referred
to u court of arbitration, with the single
exception that neither nation surren-
ders its honor or dignity to the judg-
ment of arbitration.
Later in the day President Cleve-
land sent the treaty aud message ear
nestly approving it to the Senate.
The treaty consists of twelve articles
and in print would fill about one news
paper column. One of the last points
to be decided was that King Oscar III.
of Sweden, aud Norway is to act as the
final arbitrator in case the others fail tn
agree on the final member of the court.
The acceptance of the King and the
final agreement on that detail was not
cabled to Washington until late Sun
day night and even then one small de-
tail remained to receive the approval of
the British Foreign Office. AT ll2O
this morning a cabiegram from Lord
Salisbury removed this last question
and left the way clear for the formal
execution of the instrument.
The President approved the treaty,
and his message to the Senate which
follows. was made public, but the full
text OF the treaty will not be given out
f some time:
| transmit herewith treaty Tor the
arbitration of all matters in difference
between the United States and Great
Britain.
The provisions of the treaty are the
result of long aud patient dellberation
and represent concessions made by
each party for the sake of agreement
upon the general scheme.
Though the result reached may not
meet the views of the advocates of inn
mediate, Unlimited and irrevucable ar
bitration of all international cuntrover-
sizes, il is, neverthelt IS, confidently lie.
lieved that the treaty cannot fail to be
everywhere recognized as making q
long step in the right direction, AMI. las
emit odylng practical, working plan
by which disputes between the two
countries will reach an adjustment as
IA matter of course and in ordinary roll-
tine
In the imitation of such an impnr-
tant movement it must be expected
that some of its features will assume q
tentative character looking to further
advance, and yet it is apparent that the
treaty which has been formulated not
only makes war between the parties To
1t a-remote possibility, but precludes
those fears and rumors of war which
of themselves too often assume the
proportions of IA national disaster.
1t is eminently fitting, as well as for
tunate, that the attempt to accomplish
results so beneficient should be Initial
ed 10y kindred peoples, speaking the
same tongue and Joined together by all
the ties of common traditions, COM
mon institutions and coiumon aspira'
tons. The experiment of substituting
civilized methods for brute force as the
means of settling International ques-
tons of right will thus be tried under
the happiest auspices.
Its success ought not to be doubtful,
and the fact that its ultimate ensuing
benefits are not likely to be limited to
the two countries immediately con-
cerned should cause it to be promo ted
all the more eagerly. The example set
aud the lesson furnished by the sue
cesstul operation of this treaty are sure
to be felt and taken to heart sooner or
later 10y other nations and will thus
mark the beginning of new epoch in
civilization.
Profoundly impressed as 1 am, there
fore, by the promise of lranscendent
good which this treaty affords, l do
not hesitate TO accompany It's trans
mission with an expression of my ear
nest hope that it may commend itself
to the favorable consideration of the
Senate.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, January IL, 1897.
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