New-York tribune., 1908-04-24
BRITISH COLONIES ~ DIPLOMACY.

BRITISH COLONIES N DIPLOMACY
The general arbitration treaty with Great
I Britain which was ratified by the Senate on
"Wednesday differs from those made between
this and various other countries in containing
/ TWO special and novel provisions. one of these
10 which we have already referred. simply pro
! videS that Great Britain shall not he bound
hv n treaty with the United States until that
/ treaty has been ratified hy our Senate; in other
words that the treaty shall become bindiaS
upon both countries At the same time. That
is perfectly reasonable and proper stipulation
10 which no exception can he taken. The other
provision referred 10 is more novel and vastly
more important In fact. it iS one Of the most
important principles embodied in British
treaties for many years and may without eX-
acgeration he regarded a. marking new era
/ in British imperial diplomacy and the relations
of the British Empire with il own members
and with the world at large.
That provision is TO the effect that the British
government reserves the right before conclud-
ing special agreement in any matter affect
ing the interests Of a self governing dominion
of the British Empire II obtain the concur
renee therein Of the government of that do
"miniOn." The purpoTt Of that Is obvious. 1t
means that hereafter Great Britain will nor
deal with this country concerning Canadian
or Newfoundland matters without the assent Of
those colonies We must frankly recognize
that the prevalence Of such rule in the past
would probably have made less easy the nd
1ustment of certain international controversies.
II is an open secret that in several cases Great
Britain has negotiated with this country
boundary. fishery and other disputes involving
the interests Of those colonies in way not
pleasing 10 the colonial governments, If not
indeed against their open protest. Happily, all
controversies Of moment between the United
States and the British colonies now either
settled or in q way Of settlement not t0 he
affected by this latest convention and We may
hope that hereafter none will arise which can
NOT he disposed of as readily with without
colonial participation
To the British Empire a. Il whole and to its
constituent members individually the principle
is Of the highest interest Although il Is eX-
pressed so far We are aware in only this
one treaty with the United States. il is nevi-
table that the same principle will be observed
in dealings with other countries and Will he
come universal in British diplomacy. For ok
ample if Great Britain We're 10 be asked 10
make new treaty with Japan the terms Of
which would directly affect Australian interests.
we should expect 10 that commonwealth con
suited and its assent secured before the treaty
was made III brief. there is a recognition Of
the right Of seif-Covernng colonies To nave an
effective voice in the foreign policy Of the en-
pire. That is uuqueStiOnahly gratifying to the
colonies. We may expect il TO be influential
in strengthening the bonds which unite them
with the mother country. What its effect upon
the imperial government viii be and upon It's
diplomatic relations with the world at large re
mains 10 he demonstrated by experience
IT will not escape notice that such n prlu-
cpe may in some cases diminish the freedom
Of the British government in conducting its
foreign business. The reproach has now and
then not always wisely. been made against the
United States that II Influenced by local
state interests in the making of treaties and
that the federal government not always
able 10 enforce treaty stipulations against the
will Of an individual state. Now the British
government gives notice that it will practically
give its colonies veto power upon any treaty
making in which they may be interested That
would seem to make the imperial government
much more dependent upon the colonial gov
eruments than our federal government is upon
the states 1t Is to be hoped that il Will not
be a source Of Inconvenience or embarra ssment.
We have said that the new order of things will
be gratifying 10 the colonies. 1t ought also to
impart to them increased sense of imperial
responsibility and Of consideration not only for
their individual welfare but also for the wei
fare of the empire a whole. Hitherto the
imperial government has occasionally made
treaties contrary to colonial desire on the per
fectly sound principle that Imperial interests
are superior 10 colonial interests, so that at
times a part of the empire must make sac