Evening journal., 1897-01-30
TREATY INDORSED
National Arbitration Committee
Issues an Appeal.
sENA1E pAssEs wOLOOrTs BTLL.

II Provides FOR an international None
tary confere n ce and Appropriates $780,
900 Therefor Warm War of Words In
the House.
WAsHISGToN, Jan. 30.-The permanent
committee on arbitration with Great Brit
ain. appointed by the conference held at
Washington on April % and 23, 1896, have
made public their views on the proposed
Anglo-American treaty.
Following are the salient parts of the
document:
"ln 1890 congress unanimously adopted
concurrent resolution requesting the
president to invite from time TO time, as
fit occasions may arise, negotiations with
any government with which the United
States has or may have diplomatic rela-
tions, to the end that any differences or
disputes arising between the two govern
ments which cannot be adjusted by diplo-
matte agency may be referred TO arbitra-
tion and be peaceably adjusted by such
means In 1898 the British house of com
mons expressed the hope that her mai
esty's government would lend their ready
cooperation 10 the government of the
United states upon the basis Of the fore
going resolution. The re-ding treaty, by
which the two governments agree to sub
nit to arbitration, under certain limita-
tions, all questions in difference between
them which they may fail TO adjust by
diplomatic negotiations' follows almost
the precise words Of the resolutions Of con-
grcss.
None but the most cogent reasons
could justify the rejection Of treaty thus
negotiated in direct response to our own
invitation.
ut seems to be supposed that the treaty
may require the contracting parties 60 ar
bitrate questions Of policy. But by refer
rirg t. the treaty itself it will be found
that the parties have agreed to submit
their differences TO arbitration only in
accordance with the provisions and sub
iect to the limitations of this treaty. The
questions which may be submitted are all
included under three heads-viz, recunia-
ry claims, territorial claims and all other
matters IN difference in respect to which
either Of the high contracting parties shall
have rights against the other under treaty
or otherwise 1t is clear that no such
agreement requires the arbitration of mat
tiers Of policy, and it could no more be held
by either party TO require Great Britain to
arbitrate the principle Of the balance of
power in Europe or the United States the
Monroe doctrine than it could be held TO
obligc either party to arbitrate its stand
ard OF value or its tariff policy.
As to King Oscars Appointment.
1.-The appointment of the third OF fifth
arbitrator in certain contingencies by the
king of Sweden and Norway, has been
criticised, but no more acceptable means
Of selection has been suggested. Leaving
the choice Of an umpire TO lot as has been
done in some Of our treaties, is open 10
far gravcr objections. 1t has been our
common practice in treaties Of arbitration
to provide for the appointment of certain
members of the tribunal by friendly Eu-
ropean governments The San Juan dis
pute. which was the subject Of our last
boundary arbitration with Great Britain,
was submitted to the decision of the EN-.
peror Of Germany as sole arbitrator But
"a more conclusive answer than an appea
to precedent is found in the fact that thi.
treaty provides that all territorial claim
and all disputes involving principles o
general Importance affecting nationa
rights are to be dealt with by court ex
ciusively composed Of American and Brit
ish judges and that such controversies can
not be decided against us unless two GU
of three of our own representatives concur
in thinking us in the wrong.
"The treaty has been drawn with un
usual caution and precision. For claim
purely pecuniary tribunals are provide,
having a so called umpire, but all grave
disputes are TO be finally decided withou
the presence of an umpire, and only b.
mn almost unanimous vote, unless indeed
both parties are satisfied with the decision
made by a less majority. 1t also appear
that in case Of final disagreement on sucl
important matters, before a resort to hos
tile action of any description, the media
ton of friendly powers must be invoked
which mediation in its very nature will b
only advisory and will leave the two par
ties concerned entirely free in the exercis
Of their rights Of sovereignty, and tina
therefore, the apprehensions expressed b.
some, that the treaty may involve a renun
citation of the Monroe doctrine in any ac
ceptation of the term or Of any Of on
legitimate rights of sovereignty, are en-
tirely groundless.
"It cannot fail therefore TO be a stron
safeguard Of peace between the two grea
nations concerned in it, and, as the gle
rious example is likely TO be followed b
other countries blessing to mankind
The report closes with the expression {
n,hope that the senate soon will approx
the treaty.