The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-22
ANOTHER ARBITRATION TREATY
President Mckinley Turns His Attention
To theD Drafting and Negotiating . New
Arbitration with Englsnd.

Washington. June I9.-Presfdent Mckin-
ey has determined TO revive the aban-
doned treaty of general arbitration be
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain. He has already turned his attention
to the subject. and under the direction OF
Secretary Sherman the matter has pro-
crossed TO the extent that the new treaty
already has been drafted to serve as the
basis of negotiations. The president al
ways has been an advocate of the settle
ment Of international disputes by arbitra-
ton. and though disappointed in the re-
ception accorded the original treaty. he
never has abandoned hope of securing
the adoption of such a treaty. In the
draft which is to be used as the basis
Of negotiations there are certain objec-
tionable points which caused the failure
Of the Olney treaty. Just how this could
be arranged without sacrificing the vital
principles of arbitration cannot be dis
closed. but the parties TO the work feet
confident they have succeeded in doing so.
1t is not thought the treaty will be SUBJ
mittee to the senate before next Decem-
Der.
There is felt TO be no urgency. and OFF,
cial intimation has been given that. as far
as possible, the present special session of
congress would be devoted to the tariff.
Moreover, the personnel of the senate il
the same now as Ii was when the arbitra-
ton treaty was rejected. SO that il is felt
nothing will be lost by allowing some time
to intervene before the question is again
brought to the attention of the senate.
The attitude of the senate toward a new
treaty will be fully canvassed and under
stood before the treaty is signed. There
will be no disposition to affix signatures
to a new treaty until at least reasonable
assurances are given that a tWO-thirds
majority of the upper branch of congress
stands ready to ratify the instrument. l.
is understood that the initiative in the
present case will be taken by this gov
rnment
The failure of the former treaty by the
action of the senate left the subject in
such condition that the Brditish govern
ment did not feel disposed to renew nego>
tiations unless first invited by the United
States. Under the circumstances, the sub
ject would have lapSed had not officials
at Washington who were deeply impressed
with the far reaching character of an aili-
ance between two English speaking peo-
pie, taken up the question where the sem
ate left it and set about devising means
to overcome the objections of the senate.
The first steps were of an informal char
acter and there has been an absence of
the usual fOrmalities of diplomatic nego-
~tiation, the desire being to effect results
with the least possible formality.
Sir Julian Paunceforte leaves Washing
ton next Tuesday, sailing on Wednesday
for Great Britain. 1t was understood at
first that the ambassador would take a
copy of the new treaty with him.. but this
will not be done. 1t is expected, however,
that a draft will be in London at no dis
tant date, in which case Sir Julian will
be in communication with the foreign
office to consider the terms of the inStru-
ment. 1t was during the ambassadors
visit to London that he held extended
conference with Lord Salisbury which re
suited in bringing the two countries to-
Sether on the Olney-PauncefOrte treaty.
The main objections which the senate
found to the former treaty were those
naming King Oscar of Norway-Sweden as
fifth arbitrator: the inclusiCns of CUES
lions of international policy, such as the
Monroe doctrine and the construction OF
the Nicaragua canal: the exclusion of the
senate from passing upon each specific
subject of arbitration and the fixed tenure
of the arbitrator.