New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-12
THE observation-disclosures
From The Tribune Euresu.r
Washington NJ


Washington May IL
PECCNIARY CLAIMS TREATY.-Sec-
Rotary Knox has approved q final draft Of
the pecuniary claims treaty with Great
Britain. and the British Ambassador is only
awaiting advices from his government be-
rore signing the convention, which will then
DC submitted 10 the Senate for ratification.
IL is practically in the form Of an arbitra-
ton treaty, providing that the claims shall
DC submitted TO g tribunal to be composed
OF TWO nationals and an umpire of their
choosing, the compromise in each instance
&c be subject TO ratification by the Senate
and approval by such British colonies ss
may be interested. This convention, which
mas been in process of negotiation for four
years. is made necessary by the fact that
the general arbitration treaty of 1908 ex-
cludes pecuniary claims The principles fol-
lowed in drafting the treaty are those Of
the Hague convention. Great Britain has
experienced much trouble in inducing the
colonies to accept the treaty. but these diff
hculties have now been met. and only the
approval Of the Foreign Office remains TO
be obtained The last general claims con-
vention with Great Britain-that of 1853
dealt with all claims growing out of the
Civil War, but the agreement now about
completed will have Jurisdiction over all
outstanding claims arising between 1776 and
1872 and all those of later date than 1858
Inc conclusion of this treaty following the
maj ratification Of the Canadian boundary
waters treaty. will complete the important
regulations with Great Britain which Sec
rotary Root was compelled to leave as un-
finished business in the Department of State
TAFT AND TARIFF ROARD.-Recause
President Taft has not laid special en-
phasis on the Tariff Board in his public
discussion of the tariff some of the stand
pstters'' in Congress have Iulled themselves
into the belief that the President did net
regard this feature Of the Payne bill as
of special Importance, but recent events
nave brought them to sudden and some
what unwelcome realization Of the fact
that Nj Taft regards this as one of the
most important and essential features of
the Payne Law. Senators Aldrich and Hale
and Representatives Payne and DalzeIl
nave recently urged upon the President
the sdvisability of ABANDONING his recon-
mendation Of an appropriation OF $3.50
to enable the board 10 investigate costs of
production here and abroad. and have had
occasion TO learn from the Presidents own
lips the importance he attaches 10 this
feature Of the law and the work he exoects
Of the Tariff Board Mr. Taft has insisted
with the utmost erapha sis on this sppro-
priation, and has met the objection of the
stand-pstters with unansversble srzu-
ments. IF you are right and the present
law accurately adjusts the duties TO the
differences in the costs of production. Won
nave nothing 70 fear from the investisa-
tons Of the board ne has said in sub
more than measure that difference. l mr.
pose to know II and to point out to Con-
g7ess its plain duty 10 make the necessary
adjustment. The expense Of securing this
information will be amply conpenssted nv
the knowledge gained. whether your ssser-
ions or my suspicious prove TO be cor
rect The President is fully alive +o the
opposition this app opriation will meet
That opposition will be expressed in tuo
forns-one open and a.bovebosrd by those
VINO are stand-patters' and glory in the
fact and the other By the insts4ance of
pretended tariff reformers. who will -rv ~
XIII the provision by charging the powers
OF the board so as 70 make II tariff com,
MISSION with power to make recon1menda
ions 10 Congress; but Mr. Taft is con-
Vlnoed he can overcome both forms Of m
posltlon ana that the American peopIe will
stand squarely behind him in his efforts
TEDIOUS LEGISLATION-Rep
i've TaEney is decided pessir,js+ On -.
subject OF an early adjournment Ee
IL VII take month for the House IN mass
the sundrv civil bill The President Isco,,-
cally remarks that it would take less time
II the House worked harder. held night ses-
SONS etc Mr.. Tawney bases his co,+eu-
uon on the fact that in the past eleven
ieElsIatiVe days have been required to pass
this appropriation bill, and that there are
now SO many special orders'' that I, will
REQUIRE almost month TO secure eleven