The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-01
ARB|TRATIONMAY /.
NOT Be POSSIBLE
Treaty With Japan Acts as Bar
to Closer Anglo-American
Relations.
SUDDEN LUl-L IN PEACE TALK
Proposed Pact Might Be Positive
Disadvantage to This
Country.

Washington, D. c., March 31-The
sudden lull In the proposed arbitration
plan between the United Stete6 and
Great Britain has not escaped attcn-
ton among those who follow the doings
Of tho administration. In spite of al
reports to the contrary, Secretary
Knox, who attended the regular Cab
met meeting to-day. is not drafting
an arbitration treaty, and the English
Foreign Office Is not doing anything In
that direction.
The administration, as represented b,
the State Department. is not insensiblt
Of the mighty public impulse toward
disarmament. or. at Ieast, in favor OF
arbitration. If the only factors OF the
situation were Great Britain and the
United states: IL both countries were
Tree TO make peace compact and the
signatures of both would be worth the
paper they were written on, the WORLD
might well congratnlate itself upor
which tho hcralds of the dove of peace
have been greeted, 1t is noteworthy
that no proposal for q treaty of arbi-
tration has come from Great Britain.
Mr.. Bryce. the British ambassador
has not visited the White House tc
notify President Taft that his govern
,h he, i,. has welcomed the suggestion Of
Inc In prestd a that an arbitration treaty
England has crossed the water on a
like mission. The British governnen,
y silent amid all the popular clamor
made no move toward arranging fol
to do so. .s''@. - -
~ Not Question OF In,tintive.
me question that holds the two
countries apart on the great issue OF
permanent peace Is not one OF mere
In which Shall be arst to o.
~ Significance OF the mpasse Which
EXISTS is that Great Britain apparentIy
.os h9t care TO propose arbitration
70 20 me United States. Or. to state the
withheld by the Anglo-Ja pancse ALI
a ans. OF August, 1905, from taking the
an ~, The Inference is unayoid
possible subjects of dispute is 10 be nr 3,
proposal. n nc nc 'h nc
,na Why - does ,S, not the American govern
answer Is that. IN the opinion OF Tia
highest official authorities in Wash.
lnEton. the United States would rain
neea,i.,, Tor the peace Of the world BY
nssotleting an arbitration treaty with
G England while the Anglo Japanese
alliance exists. This IS an offensive
anu defensive alliance for n period Of
i Ten years, ending in 1915. 1t provides
IN brief. that should either co,intrv
suler unprovoked attack from q, thir1,
n ppwer. It would ie the duty Of the
The position in which England o haa
mus us, placed y herself with respect to
ia pan be changed in the slightest do
gree by an arbitration treaty Win
. ane United TED States. Suppose. FOR ex-
Russia? Great Britain would be com.
nelied TO- go to Jnpan's aid, even
though the United states we're N N nn
way concerned with the quarrel SUP ~
nose I'm the other hand. that Inpan
were attacked by tho United Statns
Great Britain would be compelled to
make war on tho United States, -
JuE-Hnndicd Arrangement.
An Anglo American arbitration treat,
would eefectually prevent the ITnitad
states from making war OH England
h ut, would offer this country no Pro pro-
broilcd with Japan. IN tl,e on,nI nn
} OF e Mmsr,sa i, diplomats. sncl m ar
ktnd An arbitration treaty bntwnen
Germany ne, m y, and tho United States would
mean something, for. Germany has no
sncl. .cntta.nslcnents as those or Japan
(Continlcd on Third pagc.J 1870