New-York tribune., 1897-01-21
IT'S RATIFICATION URGED.
-rcRErARY OLNEY'S ARGUMENT FOR
THE ARBITRATION TREATY.

c,ouM1rrEE AND REPLIES TO QUESTIONS
FROM MrMBERs-A PURPOSE TO INSIST
ON AMENDMENT INDICATED-CoR
REsPoNDENcE BETWEEN THE
TWO GOVERNMENTS.
uasn,neton. Jan 2O,-The Senate Committee
40 Foreign Relations listened to Secretary oihey
,or more than one hour this morning The sec
,.,ary made an elaborate argument In iaNor VI
~. ratification Of the arbitration treaty between
.,e United States and Great Britain as IL was
AN, 70 the Senate Much Of the talk ABOUT the
.omn,,ttee table was Of an interlocutory charac-
.ar and several Senators. notably Messrs' MOT
r.n and Davis. asked numerous questions OF 'he
secretary intended to elicit his Idea OF 'he scope
OF the treaty
Tho questions asked plainly indicated an an
.oson,sro TO the text Of the treaty. and the IN
.r,ion OF Senators to insist on its amendment
before reporting the instrument to the senate
AZ olnev was questioned closely as to the
,o-ol scope o., the treaty. He said that II did
80, include the arbitration OF the Monroe Doc
,,re and was so understood by this Government
and Great Britain. The matters In dispute which
.o,oe under the provisions OF the convention were
.rch as might grow out of treaty rights or under
International law
A, rho conclusion Of Mr.. Olney's argument he
uas asked what objection there could be to the
Insertion Of a clause relative to the Monroe Doc
,-ne ~ both Governments understood the sub
,.c, alike: but to this question 1t IS understood
be gave no specific answer
MONROE DOCTRINE NOT INVOLVED
IN celebrating his statement that the Monroe
r,oc,rtne would not come within the terms OF the
general treaty Of arbitration. Mr.. Olney told the
committee that it well understood by the
nerotiators Of the convention that all questions
-o,a,ing 10 the foreign policy of either Govern
mont we're not intended to be included In the
terms OF the treaty. 1t is understood. however,
that when pressed the subject of the Mica
ragua Canal Mr. Olney said that If Great Britain
cough, 10 make an issue on that subject growing
out OF the terms Of the existing Clayton -Bulwer
TREATY II would probably come within this
general treaty, under that clause which provides
for the settlement of disputes between the two
governments arising under treaties or other
wise"
The suggestion was made that clause be put
IN the treaty relative TO the elimination or the
Monroe Doctrine. there could be no dispute
on that question In the future 1t was also con-
tended that the Isthmus Canal should be re-
served in like manner. SO far as can be learned
Mr. Olney made no impression on the commit
tee and 1t is to-day as firmly convinced as ever
that the convention requires TdulOai aiiieho
ment before it is ratified.
In reply to the criticism Of the selection Of the
ling of Sweden and Norway the umpire, Mr..
Hney said that Article X fully provided against
anv nossible miscarriage Of justice. in that 1T en-
abled either party to select another umpire.
either for all cases TO arise under the treaty or
any particular case. Everything that could be
done to make the court absolutely impartial and
Us finding Just had been accomplished.
RIGHTS OF THIS COUNTRY GUARDED.
Mr. Oney insisted that there was no ground
FOR the fear that the Monroe Doctrine would be
attacked 1t had not been mentioned in the
treaty. for to do would have been mpolitic
and dangerous. The provisions Of Article VI
relative TO the method of procedure in territorial
claims gave assurance that all the rights or this
country in any dispute would be carefully guard
ed. That article stipulated that any award
be final must be made by vote of not less
than five to one in a court consisting Of three
American and three English jurists. 1T could not
be conceived Mr.. Olney said, that two Ameri-
cans would join the English side of the court on
any question unless they were warranted in so
doing by the facts and the presentations of the
case before the court A flve-to-one award, Mr..
Olney said guaranteed absolute fairness and
Justice and disarmed all the criticism which has
been directed against the convention.
No action was taken, and it is ntimated that
action cannot possibly be had for some weeks to
come
THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
In his confidential message TO the Senate trans
fnitiing the correspondence in connection with
the general treaty of arbitration Secretary
Oney sends only four notes, and he says that
this is all the correspondence between the
United States and Great Britain relative to the
general treaty of arbitration" He also ADDS
that no correspondence the subject Of the
treaty has taken place with other Powers
Although this correspondence is sent to the Sem
ate under the seal of secrecy. and is carefully
guarded by the committee. it can be authorita-
lively said that there is no need for Mr. Olney's
solicitude. Every one of the four notes trans
mtted to the Senate has been given to the public
In these dispatches at least in substance.
The first of the quartet is Lord Salisbury's
note to Sir Julian Pauncefote Of March d, 1876 |
IN which. in connection with the Venezuelan
question ne reopens the subject OF general
Treaty of arbitration and submits six heads for
treaty
Then follows Mr. Olneys note Of April II, 1896. |
IN which he rejects Articles " and V Of the
lroposed treaty. and substitutes new Article |
". which in its essential points agrees with that
article in the treaty before the Senate.
oh May IS LORD Salisbury replying 10 SIT |
'uAan. says. after some reference to Venezuela |
and other questions which might be brought /
Under general treaty Of arbitration: in this |
view | am glad TO observe that | at one /
with Mr.. Olney. because hold that in discussing |
'he safeguard by which general system Of arbi-
uation should be sanctioned 1t is important to
Dear In mind that any system adopted between |
our two nations ought 10 be such as can in |
principle be applied If necessary their rela-
uons with other civilized countries"
Touching upon that article of the treaty with
respect TO the mode of dealing with territorial !
lalins n In .his w..