The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-12

WAShANE TON. Jan A---SScretary Oh
ney. in behalf OF the United States. and Sir
Julian Fauncefote, OF the part OF Great
Britain, today affixed their signatures 70 a
new treaty. by which for period Of five
years the two Eng.fsh-speaking nations
agree 20 abide in peace and without q re-
sort TO arms, all possible questions OF con-
troversy being referred % a court of aroi-
tratien, with the single exception that
neither nation surrender its honor and dig
nifty 70 the judgment OF arbitration. Later
In the day President Cleveland sent the
treaty and a message earnestly approving
II 10 the senate.
The treaty consists OF twelve srticies,
and in print would III about one newspa-
per column. One Of the last points 70 be
decided was that King Oscar j.. Of sweden
and Norway is 10 act as the arbitrator m
case the others fall 10 agree on the final
member of the court. The acceptance OF
the king and the final agreement on that
detail was not oabled 10 Washington until
late Sunday. and even one small detail re-
manned 10 receive ths approval OF the
British foreign Office. AT II 20 this morn
ing cablegram from Lord Salisbury I'm
ished this and left the way clear for formal
execution OF the instrument.
Immediately on receiving the cable from
Lord Salisbury. Sir Julian Pauncefots.
accompanied by Lord Cough. first secre-
tary of the embassy. proceeded 10 the
state department. They were met in the
secretarys private Office by Mr.. olney
and his private secretary. Mr.. Blanford.
and Mr.. c. Riddle, who. as chief of the
bureau of diplomatic correspondence, has
charge of the drafting OF treaties. There
We're few formalities. as the signatures
were but the elimination of negotiation
covering many weeks. during which
complete understanding had been reached
on every phase of the subject. 1t was
. hat "a n
eventful one.
Sir Julian Pauncefote had the honor OF
signing first Secretary Olney handed him
the pen and he signed one copy in the
first place. Secretary Olney Immediately
placing his signature after that of the
ambassador. This will be known as the
British copy, and Ii will never leave the
possession of that government Taking
up the other copy. Secretary olney signed
IL first, and Sir Julian signed after him.
This is the United States copy, and like
wise viii remain in the possession Of our
government.
After the senate has passed upon it
a copy Will be made OF our original and
this will be used In the final exchange of
Publications later on.
Both Of the copies were sealed with red
wax. Secretary Olney impressed his pri-
vate seal, a simple monogram, 'R. o."
and Sir Julian used his family crest. a
lion. and the ceremonies were complete.
On the retirement of Sir Julian and
Lord Cough, Mr.. Oiney at once took the
signed treaty TO the White House for the
preparation of President Cievelands mes
sage transmitting IL to the senate. 1t
was understood during the morning that
this transmission would be made at once
in order that every executive function
connected with the treaty should be COM
pleted at the earliest possible moment.
x,e.4sa skxx. tV1, TO
and the presidents message went to the
senate today.
Twelve articles constituting the treaty
deal with the subjects which are 10 be
submitted to arbitration and the manner
in which the court OF arbitration is TO be
constituted. The language used in en-
Tracing subjects before the court has
been chosen with the greatest cafe, the
purpose being to make the terms SO COM
prehenSive that no question can arise in
the ordinary dealings between the two
governments, which will cause a resort
to war. The article which makes an ex-
ception in the case OF an Insult to the ma
tional honor also was SO carefully framed
that ordinary questions which 10 some ex-
tent involve nations honor. could not
be brought within II. In short. the terms
Of the twelve articles are believed by Mr..
Olney and Sir Julian to cover every con-
tingency by which a difference could arise
between the United States and Great
Britain throughout the negotiations tho
desire OF both the secretary and the am
bassador was to make the language so
broad that when a controversy arose II
would be accompanied by the inevitable
knowledge on both sides OF the water that
arbitration. not war; would result.
The selection OF King Oscar as final
arbitrator adds another responsibility TO
that monarch as he has been heretofore
chosen in connection with the Venezuelan
boundary question His selection closed
one OF the most troublesome features OF
the negotiations There had been no diff
Guilty in arranging that each country
should be represented by three arbitra-
tors Of ernlnence IN its judicial branches.
The question then arose as to how final
decision could be reached with the court
equally divided Lord Salisbury felt that
the distinguished character OF the men
constituting the court would assure free
dom from national prejudice. Mr. Oiney
desired 10 remove every possibility OF a J
deadlock by having 8 final arbitrator who
could. iu case of q tie. cast the concluding !
vote. This raised a further question as TO I
the nationality OF the final arbitrator. II /
was felt that In justice he could not be /
ara American or an Englishman, while u /
was felt 20 he equally DESTROYS that such I
an harmonious agreeul Fnt between the two /
Engl!sh-speaking nations should not look F!
20 a foreigner for It's final determination. +
Finally. however, rather than open the /
possibility q a tie and the failure az ar /
bitrarion King Oscar was agreed upon in (
case the others did not agree ia choosing
a fuaI arbitrator. By this means not only /
IS arbitration secured bat arbitration /
which viii he effective and final
TIE period of five years was fixed the 4
limit % The treaty as means Of observ-
ing the efficacy % the arrangeHlen the
purpose Being "a make the treaty perma-
nent II the FIVE years trial brings the
good results coute mplated.
Aside from the agreement made today.
this is felt 20 offer = plan OF arbitration
as a substitute for wsr. which will at
tract the attention Of European powers
generally. and may lead 20 a further ex-
tension Of the plan.
The arbitration treaty was delivered 20
the senate Al o'clock today. Afterward
in executive session. So was referred 20
the committee or foreign relations. and
without being read, was ordered printed
The presidents message Transmitting
the document was read. Senator Morgan
suggested tnat the treaty should - made
public. but Senator Sherman. a. chairman
o. the COMMITTEES on foreign rela lions. re-
piled inat IL should be examined by the
% which 1t has been referred
before being published This suggestion
was accepted. with the understanding
that the committee should have the priv
ilcge Of making the treaty known
Venezuelan Treaty Acceptable
Il g. expected that The fnal draft OF ne
treaty between Venezuela and Great Brit
ain for the submission q the Venezuelan