Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-07-29
INTERNATIONAL.
What the Commissioners Here
and Abroad Are Accom- p|ishing.
AMBASSADOR WHITES VIEWS.

MunrOe Doctrine Cannot BE Swept
Away by Treaty at Haguc-United
States Coast Trade Will BE Care.
fully Guarded In Alaskan Bound
ary Dispute-France Got Big End
In Recent Reciprocity Treaty.
London, July 27.-The Hague CORE
spondent Of The Times reports long
conversation with Andrew ID. White.
United States ambassador at Berlin and
head OF the American delegation, in
which the ambassador, after referring
to the earnest desire of the American
people for comprehensive arbitration
scheme, as proved by the constant petit
tions and resolutions of large meetings
held in all parts of America since the
conference has been sitting, said
Il believe a vast majority of our peo-
PIE will welcome our arbitration treaty
and see in it a serviceable plan from the
outset and a germ from which more
complete system will be evolved by fu-
ture conferences. AS time progresses.
without doubt, references to the tribunal
viii become increasingly natural and
normal and thus we may hope to have
every advantage claimed for obligatory
arbitration without its overwhelming
disadvantages. But it could hardly be
expected that we should be willing to
accept the requirement to sweep away
at once, here and now, the policy of
Monroe.
IF any modification Is ever made in
that policy it must be made by the
United States after il has had the fullest
opportunity to study the subject in all its
bearings. Such change cannot be
made here by implications in treaty
made distinctly for another purpose, and
L is important that there should be no
doubt on this point"
Mr.. White then referred to the deep,
almost religious. conviction in the hearts
Of the American people against foreign
ENHANCEMENT"
He added, however, that the declara-
tion of Monroeism would leave the
United States policy exactly what 1t had
been heretofore and would not in the
slightest degree hamper the operation
of the arbitration plan. On the con-
trary, the United States would fully and
faithfully cooperate in the judicial set
tlement of International difficulties by
means of the agency and machinery pro-
vded in the convention. The past his
tory of the United States abundantly
showed, declared Mr.. White. that they
had never manifested the slightest de-
sire to interfere with or hamper arbitra-
tion proceedings.
The ambassador then mentioned
cases of arbitrations arising
under four classes which might be re-
garded as involved in the Monroeism
declarations:
First, between the United States and
European powers. Second, between the
United States and another American
power. Third, between two American
powers, neither being the United States
Fourth, between an American power
3ther than the United States and a
foreign power
I'm every instance" said Mr.. White,
the United States has regarded these
arbitrations as promoting peace; and
therefore there Is nothing in our history
to warrant the idea that our attitude
would be hostile to any settlement pcs
SlDle unuer tnlS cOnVentlOIl.
Washington, July 27.-Although 1t
cannot yet be positively ascertained
whether the report of the conciliatory
attitude of Canada with regard to the
Alaska boundary is correct. all the signs
point that way, and discussion Of the al
legged compromise conditions Is active In
Washington. Desirable as 1t may be &c
remove constant cause of irritation be-
tween the two countries. there is little
likelihood that plan involving even q.
lease to Canada of a seaport in Alaska
will be ratified by the senate unless the
terms of the agree ment include some pro.
vision for the protection of our coasting
trade. Both houses Of congress are very
jealous of anything which threatens this
interest even remotely, for, having no
shipping in the foreign trade to speak of,
our domestic shipping is doubly dear.
AS it Is nov, we command the entire
northwest coast from the west side OF
Portland canal to the Frozen Sea"
mentioned in the Anglo Russian treaty
of 1925. and all the exclusive provisions in
our navigation laws are in full operation
with respect to the shipping between
points on that stretch. If, however.
Canada be allowed the unrestricted con-
troll Of a port. even at the head Of navi-
CATION on Lynn canal, we throw part
Of our cOasting trade open to competition
with foreign shipping; for Canada Will
not only convey her own merchandise
from her ports south of Alaska to her
port in Alaska. but will undoubtedly
work to get as much of our merchandise.
also, as she can, destined for any part Of
the Alaskan gold country accessible from
the head Of Lynn canal. She has already
indicated the trend of her policy in such
matters by accepting our courtesy in
letting her transport dutiable goods in
bond across our lines into her mining
fields, but refusing us an equivalent con-
Mr.. Tower British charge, had an in
terview yesterday with Secretary Hay.
with reference to the Alas.
kan boundary modus. Nothing has been
heard from Mr.. Choate on this subject
for several days. Mr.. Tower called to
saw good bye to the officials Of the de-
partment. as he is leaving for Newport,
which will be the seat Of the British en-
bassy during the summer.
Washington. July 27.--A good deal Of
surprise has been caused in official circles
here by the unexpected opposition de-
in France to the ratification Of
the reciprocity treaty just negotiated by
Mr.. Kasson and M. Cambon. 1t Is not
deemed expedient now to make public
the details of the convention, but 1t can
be stated that in the opinion Of our own
officials the French have driven a hard
bargain in making the treaty. They
have, it is said. secured more advantages
than they had any just reason to expect.
It Is suspected here that the French peo-
ole are not aware Of the actual value of
the concessions they have obtained.