New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-28
TWO UMPIRES PROPOSED
OBJECTIONS RAISED TO THE SELECTION
OF KING OSCAR.
TEE CONSIDER HIM TOO MUCH UNDER
ENGLISH NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
SUGGESTED TO THE ARBI-

TRATION TREATY
Washington. Jan 27-The Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations to-day considered the gen.
eral treaty OF arbitration between this country
and Great Britain without reaching concu-
sion. The general drift OF the discussion indi
Gated that the instrument must be amended so
as to eliminate any possible inclusion OF ques-
tons concerning the domestic foreign policy
Of either Of the contracting parties.
The designation Of the King Of Norway and
Sweden as umpire Is causing much concern to
the committee 1t has been discovered that a
compact exists between Great Britain and
France on the one hand and Norway and Swe-
den or the other. in which the two great
Powers agree TO stand by the weaker nation.
The designation Of King Oscar will In all proba-
hility be eliminated. and an amendment re-
ported requiring the selection OF an American
umpire for American questions and European
umpire when the matters In dispute relate to
affairs In Europe.
The treaty between Sweden and Norway on
the one hand and Great Britain and France on
the other which II Is said forms such a close al
lance between the two Governments as to pre-
clude the idea OF fairness We're the King OF
Sweden to act an umpire was ratified by the
two Governments in 1850 II binds Great Britain
and France to aid Sweden with their military
forces II necessary in repelng Russian ag-
gression.
While II Is believed that the treaty may be
made satisfactory by one two amendments,
each member OF the committee has his own idea
to the exact language to be employed in so
doing. The ardent friends Of the Nicaragua
Canal Insist that in way that question
must be lifted bodily from the treaty and guarded
inst The fear that Great Britain may be
seeking a n Il
can foreign policy. but in domestic affairs as
well. leads others 10 urge amendment pro-
viding that no questions affecting either the
domestic or foreign policy os the contracting
parties shall he brought within the provisions Of
the general treaty. This IL is contended will also
carefully guard the Monroe Doctrine without re-
ferring to 1t in name.
II Is believed by some members Of the COM
mittee that an agreement will be reached at
special meeting Saturday. and that the
treaty Will be reported to the Senate on Monday.
II is understood tina: when the report is pre-
scented a motion will be made to discuss 1t in
open session. Several members Of the co:lmit-
tee believe that this motion will prevail and that
1t viii be good thing for the country to have
a public debate.
While there is an almost universal sentiment
In the Senate in favor Of the principle of arbitra
ton. II Is certain that the great majority Of its
members are in favor of amendments along the
lines which have been suggested. In such form
only II is believed. can the treaty he ratified.
The discussion in the Senate. whether secret or
protected. Senator'S on the committee who have
given careful consideration To the treaty will
be called upon to explain It's provisions and
throw all possible light upon the subject. 1t has
been the custom in the past for the Senate TO be
guided entirely by the report of it's committee
in acting upon a treaty, but in this there
appears 10 ne a determination the part Of
men who have given hut little attention to for
eiSn questions 10 know thoroughly what they
are doing before they cast their vote for the
ratification or rejection Of this general treaty
Of arbitration.