The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-18
TREATY AS AMENDED.
THE ONLY CHANGES MADE ARE
ADMIN TITETN CHdRICTER.
The Same Power Reserved by Great
Britain Retained by This Country scope
of the Treaty Has Not Bee, Touched.

WASHINGTON. II. c.. March 1.-THE
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
spent two hours this morning in the con-
sderation OF the general treaty Of arbi-
tration with Great Britain and then or
dered a favorable report TO be made TO
the Senate tomorrow with amendments
in line with those indicated in these dis
patches heretofore.
IT'S SCOPE UNTOUCHED.
TIE amendments are Administrative on
~ I'm character. The scope of the treaty
has not been touched. Much of the pub
lie criucism against the action of the
committee during the last session was
due to the alleged fact that the committee
had emasculated the convention and made
It practically a mere shell.
The amendment 10 the first article. that
no question relative to the foreign or do
mesuc policy OF either party should be
included. which was previously given
such prominence has disappeared en-
tirey The same result is reached. how
ever. in very different manner.
The designation of King Oscar, OF
Sweden and Norway as the umpire has
been stricken out. as has been all refer
ence TO the justices Of the Supreme
Court Of the United Staets as members OF
the tribunal established under the treaty
In place Of this designation IL is stipulat
ed that "jurists Of repute' shall be named
by tho PRESIDENT To act as such arbi-
rrars.
THE RESERVED POWER
The chief amendment 10 the conven-
ton. however. is found In the clause
which reserves TO the United States the
sanction of the whole treaty making pow
err IN deciding what questions shall be
submitted TO arbitration. This provi-
sion will make II necessary for the Presi-
dent to submit 10 the Senate for its APP
prevail all questions intended 20 be sub
mitted TO the arbitral court. The COM
mittee have acted in the belief that It
has only reserved to this government the
Identical power reserved by Great Brit
ain. which under the treaty. decides
through its premier what questions sha.
be arbitrated
Under the British form of government
one man alone the Premier. acting for
the crown. determines all matters of this
sort and IS the sole treaty -making power
Of that nation. There H.. under this gem
eral treaty. no deviation from the uniNer-
sal rule Of the British Government. ana
reasoning thus. the Senate Committee
sees no reason whatever should
be any change in the practices-based
upOn the Supulations or the written
Constitution-that have governed such
questions with Us since the formation OF
our Government. In other words. both
Powers are made equal. and the subjects
under treaty. after IT shall have ratified,
will proceed again 10 the laws OF the re-
spectiye Governments Of the contracting
parties.
II Is needless TO point out that under
the treaty as thus amended no argument
can consistently be advanced that the
Senate is relinquishing any Of the preroga-
tives given IL by the Constitution. II viii,
by ratifying this treaty. endorse and sub
scribe to the doctrine OF universal arbi-
tration. to which the United States stands
pledged and then leave all questions as
10 details connected with the submission
of specific subjects 20 the constituted
authorities OF both countries
SPEEDY ACTION.
Acting Chairman Davis will urge
as speedy action rs possible. II
is quite likely that much OF the time dur
ing the next two weeks will be- spent ia
executive session. Pending the arrival OF
the tariff bill I'm the Senate, the treaty
will be discussed together with the con-
sideratlon Of Presidential nominations,
and Il Is the confident expectation Of tho
committee that Il will be able 10 have this
out OF the way by the first OF April.