Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-12


In official and d attic circles 0s a most
eventful achieve The scope OF the
general arbitrat eaty has been made
very wide the ri being to have 1t cover
all the subjects usually arise to dis
turb the rclatiot ween countries. AS a
rule the details ,atics are shrouded In
the greatest my4 but In this case the
Associated press given such complete
and exclusive lu tion as to the exact
details of both of the agreements that the
public has been fully informed, and 1t is un-
necessary to repeat them.
Aside from the consummation Of the agree
men,s, 1t has been an interesting feature that
all the negotiations were carried on in Wash
ington both the Venezuelan and general ar
bitration treaties being signed here. 1t has
been largely a work between MIR Olney and
Sir Julian Pauncefote, although the latter
was at all time in close communication with
the British foreign office. Sir Julian handled
the matter in a way which would have been
impossible If he had not felt deep personal
interest in the successful conclusion of the
negotiations When they halted for a time,
and seemed in danger Of failure through mis-
understanding of detail, the ambassador went
to London, where extended conferences were
had with Lord Salisbury, the result being
that Sir Julian returned and conducted the
negotiations to the successful end now Sc
cured.
Persons intimately familiar with every
detail Of the negotiations say that the par
ties were inspired at all times with the
purpose of bringing the two great English
speaking people together With that end
In view. there was an absence of shar.
fencing incident to lesser accomplishments
of diplomacy. The thing to be done rather
than the manner of it's performance was
never lost sight of. The joining hands Of
the two nations, it is stated, is felt to tran
scend any petty consideration of the skill
of the negotiators in gaining point of ad-
vantage.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The following is the text of the presi-
dents message, transmitting the general
arbitration treaty:
To the Senate: l transmit herewith a
treaty for the arbitration of all matters
I'm difference between the United States
and Great Britain. The provisions of the
treaty are the result of long and patient
dcliberation and represent concessions
made by each party for the sake of agree
mont upon the general scheme. Though
the result reached may not meet the views
OF the advocates of immrpiate, unlimited
and irrevocable arbitration of all inter
national controversies, II is nevertheless
confidently believed that the treaty can
not fail to be everywhere recognized as
making long step in the right direction
and as ombodyng a practical working
plan by which disputes between the two
countries will reach a peuvcIul adjustment
as matter of course and in ordinary
routine.
In the initiation of such an important
it's features will assume tentative char
acter looking to a further advance, and
yet 1t is apparent the treaty which has
been formulated not only makes war be-
tween the parties to 1t a remote possibility
but precludes those fears and rumorS of
war which of themselves ZOO often assume
the proportions of national disaster. 1t
Is eminently fitting well as fortunate
that the attempt to accomplish results
so beneticent should be initiated by kin
dred peoples. speaking the same tongue
and Joined together by all the ties of COM
mon traditions, common Institutions and
common aspirations. The experiment of
submitting civilized methods for brute
force as the means of settling intcrna tional
questions 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 imme-
diately concerned should cause II to be
promoted all the more eagerly. The ex-
ample set. and the lessen furnished by the,
SUCCESSFUL operation of this treaty are
sure to be felt and taken to heart sooner
or later by other nations and will thus
mark the beginning of a new epoch in
civilization.
Profoundly impressed as | am, therefore
by the promise of transcenGant good which
this treaty affords / do not hesitate to
accompany its transmission with an eX-
preston of my earnest hope that il may
commend itself to the favorable considera-
tion of the senate,
GROVER CLEVELAND.