The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-28
OBJECTIONS TO KING OSCAR
As Umpire on Account Of COmpacts
With Other Powers.
ELIMINATION OF NICARAGUA CANAL.
From the Operations of the Arbitration
Treaty Is Favored by some-A Va
riety of Opinions In Regard to
Desirable Amendments

WASHINGTON. Jan. G.-The Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations to-day
considered the general treaty OF arbitra-
tion between this country and Great
Britain without reaching conclusion.
The general drift OF the discussion indi-
Gated that the instrument must be
amended so as to eliminate any possible
inclusion Of questions concerning the
domestic or foreign policy OF either OF
the contracting parties. IL IS believed by
some members OF the committee that
conclusion will be reached at the special
meeting Saturday and that the treaty
will be reported TO the Senate on Mon
day.
The amendment was rejected; yeas. %;
nays, &.
NICARAGUA QUESTION.
While il is believed that the treaty
may be made satisfactory by one or TWO
amendments. each member OF the COM
mttee has his own idea as 20 the exact
language 10 be employed In so doing.
The ardent friends OF the Nicaraguan
canal insist that, IN some way, that ques-
tion be lifted bodily from the treaty and
guarded against. Tho fear that Great
Britain may be seeking a pfetext 20 in
terfere, not only in our foreign policy
bat in domestic affairs as well. leads
others 10 urge an amendment, providing
that no questions affecting either the do
mostic or foreign policy OF the contract
ing parties shall be brought within the
provisions OF the general treaty. This II
Is contended will also carefully guard the
Monroe doctrine without referring 10 II
in name
OBJECT TO KING OSCAR.
fN.a Of ha ~ ha
King OF Norway and Sweden as umpire
Is causing the committee much concern
and. I'm looking up the diplomatic history
of this Northern country. the committee
has discovered that a compact exists be-
tween Great Britain and France, on the
one hand, and Norway and Sweden on the
other In which the two great powers
of the South agree 10 stand by the weak
er nation. The designation OF King Oscar
Will. in all probability. be eliminated and
am amendment reported requiring the Sc
lection Of am American umpire FOR Amer
lean question. and am European umpire
when the matters I'm dispute relate 10
affairs in the Eastern hemisphere.
10 is understood that when the report
on tho treaty is made 10 the senate a
motion will be made 20 discuss IL In open
session some members Of the commit
tee believe that this motion will carry
and that il will bee a good thing FOR the
country 20 have this public debate.
THE TREATY.
The treaty letween Sweden and Nor
way. ON the one hand. and Great Britain
and France on the other. which. II Is
claimed. forms such a close alliance be
tween the two governments as 10 pre-
clude -he idea of fairness, in asking the
King of Sweden 10 act an umpire. was
ratified by the two governments IN 1850.
binds Great Britain and France 10
aid sweden with their military force II
necessary, in repciinB Russian aggres-
sion.
While there is almost universal sonti-
Tqent i'm the Senate in favor of the prin-
ciple of arbitration. it is quite certain
that the great ma ai9riiv OF the Senate j.
boo favor of amendments along the lines
that have been suggested. I'm such form
only. IL De- believed, can the treaty be
ratified. Tho discussion ina the senate.
whether secret on in the presence Of the
public. promises 10 Doe somewhat pro-
tractCd. Senator'S on the committee who
have given the treaty careful considera-
ton. will be called upon 90 eXpound its
provisions and throw lli possible light
upon the subject. n has lccn the custom
in the past for the Senate 10 bee GUIDED
entirely ly tho REPORTS OF its committee
in acting upon the treaty. but in this case
there appears 20 be determination ON
the part Of non who have given but lit
Tie attention - fCicigu questions. 10 know
th0rOughlv what they are doing before
they cast their vote for tho ratification
or rejection Of this general treaty Of ar
liirator