The San Francisco call., 1897-03-18
Senate Committee Declares
for Friendly Relations
With Britain.
It Is D cided That King Oscar OF
Norway and Sweden Shall
Not Be the Umpire.
Acting Chairman Davis Will Urg
Speedy Action on the Important
Measure.

WASHINGTON. ID. e., March 1.-THE
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
spent two hours this morning in the con-
sideration of the treaty of general arbitra-
tion with Great Britain, and then ordered
favorable report to be made to the
Senate tomorrow with amendments in
line with those mentioned previously in
these dispatches. The amendments are
administrative only in charac er. The
scope OF the treaty has not been touched.
Much of the public criticism against
the action of the committee during the
last session was due to the alleged faci
that the committee had emasculated the
convention and made it practically
meIe sham. The amendment to the first
article, that no question relative to the
foreign or domestic policy of either party
should be included, which was previously
given such prominence, had disappeared
entirely. The same result is reached,
however, in very different way.
The designation OF King Oscar OF
Sweden and Norway as umpire has been
stricken out, as has been all reference to
the Supreme Court OF the United States as
mem bers of the tribunal established un-
der the treaty. In place of this designa-
tion it is stipulated that "jnrists of re-
pute' shall be claimed by the President
10 act as such arbitrators.
The chief amendment, however, is found
in the clause which reserves to the United
States the sanction of the whole treaty
making power in deciding what questions
shai. be submitted to arbitration. THIS
provision will make it necessary for the
President to submit to the Senate for its
approval all questions intended 10 De sub
mitted to the arbitrarors.
The committee has acted in the belief
that it has only reserved to this Govern
ment the identical power rese rved by
Great Britain, which, under the treaty,
decides through its Premier what ques-
tions shall be arbitrated.
Under the British form of government
one man alcne, the Premier, acting for
the crown, determines all matters OF this
sort and is the sole treaty making power
of that nation. There l., under this
general treaty, no deviation from the
universal rule of the British Government
and reasoning thus the Senate committee
sees no reason why there should by any
change in the practices, based upon these
stipulations of the written constitution,
that have governed such questions since
the foundation of this Government. In
other words both powers are made equal
and the subsequent proceedings under
the treaty after 1t shall be ratified will
proceed according to the laws of the
respective governments of the contracting
parties.
Under the treaty as thus amended no
argument can consistently be advanced
that the Senate is reiinqulshing any of the
prerogative given 1t by the constitution.
1t will, by ratifying this treaty, indorse
and subscribe to doctrine Of universal
arbitration, TO which the United States
stands pledged, and then leave all ques-
tions as to details connected with the sub.
mission of pacific subjects to the consti-
tuted authorities of both countries. Act
ing Chairman Davis will urge as speedy
action in the Senate as possible. 1t is
quite Likely that much Of the time during
the next two weeks will be spent in execu-
tive session.
Pending the arrival of the tariff bill in
the Senate the treaty will be discussed,
together with the consideration of Presi-
Dental nominations and it is the conf
dent expectation of the committee that it
will be able to have this convention out
of the way by the first of April.