Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-01-21

Great Britain, yesterday affixed their
signatures to a new treaty by which,
for term of five years, the TWO Eng
disappearing nations agree to abide
in peace and without resort to arms,
all possible questions of controversy
being referred to court of arbitration
with the single exception that neither
nation surrenders its honor or dignity
TO the judgment of arbitration.
: Later in the day President Cleveland
sent the treaty and a message, earnest
ly approved it, to the senate. The
treaty consists of twelve articles and
in print would fill about a newspaper
column. One of the last points to be
decided was that King Oscar of Swed
en- and Norway is to act as final arbi-
TRAITOR in case the others fail to agree
on the final member of the court.
The acceptance of the king and the
! final agreement on that detail was not
cabled TO Washington until late Sun
day night and even then one small
detail remained to receive the approval
of the British foreign office. At 11:20
yesterday morning a cablegram from
Salisbury removed this last question
/ and left the way clear for the formal
execution of the instrument. Immed-
lately on receiving the cable from
Salisbury, Pouncefote proceeded to
the state department where he met
Sec. Olney There were few formal
tiles, as the signatures were but the
elimination of negotiations covering
many weeks, during which complete
understanding was reached on every
phase of the subject. 1t was felt, how
ever, that the moment was an event
full one. The diplomatic bureau pre-
pared two copies Of the document.
Having satisfied themselves that every
thing had been conducted in regular
order the principals proceeded to the
signature OF the duplicate treaties.
Pauncefote had the honor Of signing
the British copy and it will
never leave the possession of
that government. The other copy
which Secretary Oiney signed first will
remain in the possession of the United
States. After the senate has passed
upon it the copy will be made the
original and this will be used in the
final exchange of Publications later on.
When the treaties were signed there
was an exchange of courtosies between
Secretary Olney and Pauncefote, each
expressing deep sense of qualification
that he labor which presented appar-
emily insurmountAble obstacles had
been concluded in way to give prom
Use of far reaching results. Secretary
Olney took the signed treaty to the
white house for the preparation of
President Cleveland's message trans
hitting it to the senate
! The twelve articles that constitute
the treaty deal with the subjects which
are to be su tilted to arbitration and
the manner IN which the court of az
bitration is to be constituted. The
] language used in embracing the sub
iects before the court has been chosen
with the greatest care, the purpose be-
ing to make the ,erms so comprehen-
siVe that 70 question can arise in or
binary dealings between the Two gov
ernments which will cauGe a resort 80
wal The article which makes an eX-
I UGption in the caSe-inSult to national
honor-has also been so carefully
framed that ordinary questions which
! to some extent involve the nations
honor, could not be brought within it.
! In short, the terms of the twelve ar
I ticles are believed by Secretary Olney
I and Pauncefote to cover every usual
contingency by which any difference
/ could arise between the United States
and Great Britain.
! The selection of King Oscar as final
! arbitrator adds another responsibility
to that monarch, as he mas been here
/ tofore chosen in connection with the
| Venezuela boundary question, His
selection closed one of the most trou-
| besome features of the negotiations
There had been no difficulty in arrang-
/ ing that each country should be repre-
scented by three arbitrators of emf
| nenoe in its judicial branch. The
! question then arose as to how final
4
court equally divided. To remove tho
! possibility of a deadlock it was de-
cided to have final arbitrator, who
could, in case of a tie, cast the con-
Guiding vote. This raised the further
/ question as to The nationality of the
final arbitrator. 1t was Felt that in
justice he could not be an American or
an Engishman, while it was felt to I've
equally DESTROYS that such harmoni-
Gus agreement between the two Eng
lish speaking nations should not look
to a foreigner for its final determine.
ton. Finally, however, rather than
open the possibility OF tie and fail
ure of arbitration King Oscar was
agreed upon in case the others did not
agree in choosing final arbitrator
BY this means, not only is arbitration
secured. hut arbitration which will be
effective and final.
\ period Of five years was fixed a.
the limit Of the treaty as 4 means o