The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-02-05
ARBITRATION.

Great Britain marks one of the great
posts in diplomatic history. 1t is an
effort to do away with that appeal to
arms which is a nations only too
ready resort, and to substitute for it
the light of pure reason.
The provisions of the treaty are very
clear. The first article provides for
the submission to arbitration of any
question which may come up between
the two countries and which has not
been adjusted by diplomatic negotia-
ton.
OF course the money question comes
in at once. Disputes upon such mat
ters not exceeding 100000 and not in
yolving territorial claims, are to be
settled as follows: Each of the con-
tracing nations will nominate an ar
bitrator, who must be a lawyer of high
standing. The two arbitrator, within
two months of the date of their NOM
ination, have to select an umpire.
Should the arbitrator fail to make a
selection then the umpire is to be ap-
pointed by the members, for the time
being, of the Supreme court of the
United States and the members, for
the time being, of the Judicial Com
mittee of the Privy Council of Great
Britain. In each case the aiority
vote is to rule. But there is yet an
other clause. 1t is possible that these
high contracting parties may not
agree. Under such circumstances pro-
vision is made that the umpire, three
months after the commencement of
the negotiations, shall be appointed by
the King of Sweden and Norway. Of
course he is chosen as being one of
the few monarchs who have little or
no interest in the general run of Eu-
ropean and American affairs.
To take "a side issue for a moment,
it is wonderful that the descendent of
the Marsellaise wine seller, Bernadotte,
two of the greatest nations upon the
face of the earth. The founder of the
royal family of Sweden and Norway
enlisted as full private of marines
in 1850. During the revolutionary
period of France he rapidly rose and
became one of Napoelon's most trust
ed and trustworthy marshals. From
the position of Marshal to that of
King of an outlying Kingdom, was, in
those days, no great effort. And thus
the Marselaise wine keeper found
himself seated on throne dating back
to the dim past of the 'Niebelungen
Leid." His descendants have proved
themselves worthy to rule and have
made a record for themselves among
the European nations. 1t is this high
estimate of the family characteristics
and the fact that Sweden and Norway
have no entangling alliances, that
makes other and greater nations agree
point an umpire.
To return to the main subject. Hav-
ing disposed of pecunary claims in
volving 100000 the next thing to
consider are claims above that amount.
The tribunal mentioned above, if
unanimous, would have Il final voice,
but if it is not unanimous, either ma
ton, within six months, may demand
a review of the evidence and the sum
ming up, and submit the whole to a
board of jurists, two chosen by each
country and the fifth chosen by the
American and English pairs. In case
they disagree the King of Sweden and
Norway again hobs up and is auth
orized to make the appointment OF
umpire. The umpire so chosen is to be
the president of the council and the
majority vote is to be regarded as
final.
Territorial matters are to be consid
cred by u board of six members
Three of these are to be judges of the
United States Supreme Court, or jus
tees of the Circuit Court, and three
must be judges of the British bench
of the Privy Council. In awards ma
jority of five to one is to be regarded
as final.
This treaty is to remain in force fol
five years. 1t is purely experimental
but at the same time it lays down ;
great principle. According to the pro
visions of the treaty there need nevel
be any war, National questions are tt
be settled by reason, not by the ar
btrament of arms. Such a treaty il
an object lesson to the whole world
If two great nations can live under i