The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-12
Event THE CENTURY
Arbitration Between England and
United States Now Assured.
Pauncefote and 0lney Signed
Treaty Yesterday.
President Cleveland Sends Message 70 senate
on Subject

washington. Jan lS.--s'eNteto's O'Sy'
In behalf OF the United States. and Sir
Julian Pauncefote. on the part OF Great
Britain. yesterday affixed their sigma
tures to a new treaty. by which. for u
term OF FIVE years. the two English
speaking nations agree 10 abide In peace
and without resort to arms, all possible
questions OF controversy being referred
TO a court OF arbitration. with the single
exception that neither nation surrenders
Its honor or dignity to the Judgment OF
arbitration. Later In the ny President
Cleveland sent the treaty and message.
earnestly approving il, to the senate.
The treaty consists of Il articles, and
in print would fill about newspaper
column. One OF the last points to be de-
cided was that King Oscar IL. of Sweden
and Norway is to act as final arbitrator
I'm case the others fail to agree on the
final member OF the court. The accept
ance of the king and the final agreement
on that detail was not cabled to WASH
ington until late Sunday night, and even
then one small detail remained to receive
the approval OF the British foreign office.
At 11:20 yesterday morning a cable
gram from Lord Salisbury removed this
last question and left the way clear for
the formal execution of the instrument.
Immediately on receiving the cable from
Lord Salisbury, Sir Julian Pauncefote.
accompanied by Lord Cough, first Sec
rotary of the embassy, proceeded to the
state department. They were met in the
secretary's private Office by Mr.. Olney
and his private secretary, Mr.. Bland
ford. and Mr.. Crigler, who, as chief or
the bureau of diplomatic correspondence,
has charge of the drafting Of treaties
There were few formaities, as the sig
natures were but the elimination Of a
negotiation covering many weeks, dur
ing which a complete understanding has
been reached on every phase of the sub
ject.
II was felt, however, that the moment
was an eventful one. The diplomatic
bureau had prepared two copies of the
documents. They were not in any sense
ornate. The articles Of agreement were
engrossed in a fair hand on the simple
red margined parchment paper ordina-
rily used for treaties by the state de-
partment. These copies were laid upon
the secretary's desk, and then occurred
q very necessary formality. The British
ambassador produced a formidable look
ing document signed by Lord Salisbury
certifying that he (the ambassador) was
authorized to sign for the British gov
ernment a treaty bearing on the subject
specified. Secretary Olney replied by
showing a letter from President Cleve-
, land delegating to him authority to sign
the proposed convention. Having thus
satisfied themselves that everything was
being conducted In regular order, the
principles proceeded to the signature OF
the duplicate treaties Sir Julian
Pauncefote had the honor of signing
Arst. Secretary Ciney Immediately,
placed his signature after that of the
ambassador. This will be known as the
British copy, and will never leave the
possession Of that government. Taking
up the other copy. Secretary Olney
signed II first. and Sir Julian signed after
him. This was the United States copy,
and likewise will remain In the posses
zion OF our government.
After the senate has passed upon 1t. a
copy will be made of our original and
this will be used in the final exchange of
ratifications later on. Then both of the
copies were sealed with red wax. Sec
retary Olney impressed his private seal,
a simple monogram "R o." and Sir
Julian used his family crest. lion, and
the ceremonies were complete.
The pen used was a simple broad point
steel stuck In a red and black hard rub
ber holder. but 1t will be treasured by the
owner. Mr.. Blandford.
Tn. Presidents Message.
Il transmit herewith 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 de.
liberation and represent concessions
made by each party for the sake of agree.
ment upon the general scheme.
Though the result reached may not
meet the views OF the advocates Of i'm
mediate, unlimited and irrevocable ar
bitration of all international contro.
versies, IL is, nevertheless, confidently
believed that the treaty cannot fall tc
he everywhere recognized as making q
long step In the right direction, and as
embodying practical, working plan by
which disputes between the two coun-
tries will reach a peaceful adjustmen,
as matter OF course and in ordinary
routine.
In the initiation of such an I'm port A nj
movement II must be expected that some
OF Its features will assume a tentative
character looking to further advance
and yet II is apparent that the treaty
pccn IOTInulateO not ONLY
makes war between the parties to it I
remote possibility. but precludes thes,
fears and rumors OF war which OF them.
selves too often assume the proportion,
of q national disaster.
1T is eminently fitting. as well a
fortunate, that the attempt to accom-
pllsh results so beneficient should b
Initiated by kindred peoples. speakin
The same tongue and Joined together b.
all the ties OF common traditions com
mon institutions and common aspira
tions. The experiment OF substitutin
civilized methods for brute force as tn
means Of settling international ques
tfons OF right will thus be tried under IN
happiest auspices. It's success ough
not 10 be doubtful. and the fact that II
ultimate ensuing benefits are not likel
% be limited TO the two countries i'm
mediateIy concerned should causesit I
be promoted all the more eagerly. TIL
example set and the lesson furnishe
by the successful operation OF thi