Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-05-25
THE NEW TREATIES.
Thirty seven So Far Approved This
Session BY the Senate.

washington, May 24.-Wlth little
discussion and less publicity the Unit
ed States Senate has approved during
this session 81 treaties-nore in num-
ber if not in Importance than had been
ratified during the 20 years preceding.
In making effective so many agree
ments with the nations, international
advancement has been made alons
three distinct lines.
Twelve nations have agreed by trea-
ty with the United States to arbtrate
future disputes, which is taken to
mean nothing less than that the world
has now been established on .the plan
of arbitration. The foundation for
continued friendly procedure in ad-
justing questions with the Orient is
believed to be contained in the treaties
and the legislation in respect to Japan
to which is to be added the friendly
visit of the fleet to that part of the
world. A basis of settlement has been
arrived at with Great Britain by which
the long standing and dsputatious
questions between Canada and the
United States are assured of satisfac-
tory adjustment.
To these important international ac-
complishments, directed throughout by
Secretary Root, may be added a num-
her of lesser magnatude.
The gain for arbitration is regarded
as distinct victory for American dip
lomats initiated by the instructions to
the American delegates to The Hague
conference The result so far is the
approval of general arbitration treaties
with Great Britain, Japan, France,
Italy, Spain, Switzerland. Mexico,
Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden and
Denmark. Besides the general arbi-
tration treaty II Of the international
treaties resulting from The Hague con-
ference were approved. They include
agreement on these subjects:
Recovery Of contract debts, opening
of hostilities laws and customs Of war
on land, rights and duties Of neutral
powers, submarine contact mines bonn
bardment Of naval forces. naval war
and Geneva convention, right of cap
ture in naval war, discharging pro-
jectiles from balloons, and the final act
Of the peace conference.
AS to the Orient the important ac-
complishment is bringing Japan into
the group OF nations committed to ar
bitration Besides this are the con-
ventions with the country, which
guarantee in Corea and China prOtec-
ton for inventions, trade marks and
copyrights. Then there Is the good
fellowship which is manifested In the
manner this government is preparing
to participate in the Toxic exposition
in 1912 The paramount question for
adjustment between the United States
and Japan is that of immigration. and
1t is the desire that the negotiations
which have been going on with graft
flying results may continue free from
influences Of prejudice or passion
In the adjustment of the Canadian
questions a century and quarter Of
strife will be brought to an end. Great
er even than this is regarded the moral
effect on the world of two great pow
ers making practical use of the arbi-
tration principles. This principle is to
be invoked in adjusting the New
Foundland fisheries question. 1t is
freely admitted that with the increas-
ing population of both countries and
the continuance of vexation which
arises on the New Foundland banks, the
alternative Of settlement would be,
the maintenance of two great naval
fleets in those waters one by Great
Britain to enforce her Interpretation of
the laws and the other by the United
States to maintain the rights of Amerf-,
can fishermen. The, Hague tribunal
will settle this dispute.
The Dominion boundary dispute is
adjusted for the first time and for all
time according to the belief of officials,
which, in itself is regarded as a great
accomplishment. A commission Of ex-
perts will run the lines according to
the specifications of the treaty agree
ment The inland fisheries are to be
regulated and steps are to be taken to
increase the supply by joint commits
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