New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-18
THE ARBITRATION TREATY.

Arbitration Is not to be shclved nor burked
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will
make to-day favorable report of the treat!
with Great Britain. and It's energetic Chairman
will urge final action AT the earliest hitting da'e
There will be no "jamming through bnt there
WILL II is TO be hoped, he no obstruction nor I'M
necessary delay. The treaty has been before
the Senate, and has been discussed by the press
and public for many weeks. II Is now fully I'M
derstood, or If not it ought 10 be, by every one
capable Of understanding It at all. Senators
have made up their minds about II, and VIII
know to-day well as week hence how theV
intend TO vote upon Il. II IS confidently believed
that The requisite majority of them will be ready
TO vote AT an early hour, for ratification of the
treaty as now amended.
The amendments which will be reported To the
Senate to-day differ considerably from those
formerly proposed. They are not however,
new, having long ago been publicly suggested
and much discussed They do not touch the
general principle Of the treaty in the slightest,
ror lessen its scope nor impair its vitality, but
relate exclusively to administrative details One
OF them requires the Executive TO submit to the
Senate for It's approval, in advance, all ques-
tlons which it is proposed TO arbitrate The
Constitution gives the Senate coordinate power
with the President in making treaties and CON
Quoting the foreign affairs of the Nation. The
Senate therefore claims an equal voice in de
termnnc what matters shall and what shall not
be submitted to arbitration. In that il demands
for this Government only and exactly The prv-
lege enjoyed by the British Government, namely,
that the entire trtaty-making power shall be
concerned in the conduct Of arbitration proceed
ings.
Another amendment relieves the Supreme
Court Of The duty of furnishing the arbltra ors
or behalf of This country. and provides that the
President shall appoint TO such service 'jurists
of repute" This change will doubtless be gen
orally approved, fo- reasons already set forth In
these columns. The Supreme Court Is already
overworked without having additional duties
thrust upon IT, and It is well 10 keep 1t free from
participation in disputes Of a more or less politi-
cal nature. Finally, all reference TO the King OF
Sweden and Norway as an umpire has been
stricken out 1t is 10 be hoped that estimable
monarch will not regard such treatment as IA
slight. Without the slightest reflection upon his
character and ability IL must he admitted that
some strong arguments have been adduced
against making him the umpire between Great
Britain AMI the United States. The omission of
his name will not destroy the value Of the treaty,
and il will remove some objections TO II.
These, so far as in advance appears, are all
the changes in the original text Of the treaty
now proposed by the Foreign Relations Com
mittee. They seem judiciously designed to
remedy the defects sincere critics have found In
the treaty. and AT the same time TO leave all its
essential features unimpaire In its form
the instrument ought TO win The favor of all ex-
ceptng those, who It is believed are not numcr-
Gus, who are radically opposed to arbitration in
any FORM This Nation has for many years been
committed TO the principle Of arbitration. and
has practiSed il more frequently than any other.
The Republican party is committed 10 il. and the
present Administration Is Outspoken in favor OF
It. There ought TO be little difficulty and little
delay in enacting such clearly expressed desires
into international law.