New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-18
LONG STEP TOWARD
PEACE OF WORLD
Draft of General Arbitration
Treaty Submitted to British
and French Ambassadors.
ALL QUESTIONS INCLUDED
Secretary Knox Outlines Pro-
posal of United States-Presi-
dent Taft Receives Prompt
Responses to Suggestions.
From Tn. Trihun. Bureau.

FROM lhe lrlnnNe bureau.
Washington. May 1.-THE principle OF
arbitration Of practically all disputes be-
tween nations. including even questions
Of vital interest and national honor. took
long stride forward to-day when copies ot
the completed draft OF a general treaty Of
arbitration were submitted by the Sec
retary OF State TO the Amba ssador Of
Great Britain and the Ambassador Of
France for submission TO their govern
mentS. This step marks the opening Of
formal diplomatic negotiations on the
subject and constitutes the proposal on
the part Of the United States.
The ground covered by the proposed
treaties Is divided into parts--those ques-
lions which are clearly arbitrabe, and
questions OF the application Of govern
mental policies which involve complica
tions. The treaty provides that the ques-
tions of first class shall be submitted to
the Hague tribunal after the failure OF
direct diplomatic negotiations. for which
provision is made. Questions of the sec
ond class, such as the application of the
Monroe Doctrine or the English colonial
policy in India, are to be considered by
6 commission consisting Of the nationals
cf both countries on the Hague tribunal.
together with other members OF the
court. which shall decide whether the
question may be submitted TO arbitra-
ticn
The treaties provide that the compro-
mis- on the part Of the United States
in each case shall be submitted 10 the
Senate for approval.
The treaties submitted to Great Brit
ain and France are substantially SIM
liar. Informal negotiations with AM
bassador Bryce have been in progress
for some time The announcement that
NEGOTIATIONS had been opened with
France was made in these dispatches to
The Tribune of May ). although 1t has
not been generally known that they had
proceeded so far.
President Taft's Work for Peace.
When President Taft last December
enunciated the doctrine OF comprehen-
sive arbitration he promptly received
quick response from Ambassadors Bryce
and Jusserand that Great Britain and
France were willing TO begin negotia-
tions with t.is country for the peaceful
settlement Of practically all differences
that might arise. The President in
structed Secretary Knox Immediately u
crvstallize the arbtral position which
this government would offer to foreign
nations
The Secretary has drawn up docu-
ment. which has received the approval Of
the President and the other members OF
the Cabinet. providing that all differ
ences which are internationally justi-
II expands the scope IF the existing
arbitration treaties By eliminating the
exceptions referring 20 questions OF
vital interest and national honor" This
elimination IS the real accomplishment
of the proposed treaty. The exceptions
mentioned are found in arbitration
treaties the world over, and have con-
stituted the chief obstacle 10 the appli-
cation of the arbitration principle. for il
is hard h conceive of a problem which
I'm its essence cannot be regarded as
having a controlling bearing on ma
tiona honor or vital interest"
Commission 10 Settle Disputes.
Recognizing that there may be ques-
tions Of policy and other matters likely
10 force nations 10 the brink of war. but
which no people would be willing 10 ar
litrate. the draft Of the treaty provides
that difference which either party con-
siders within this category shall be re-
ferred 10 = commission of inquiry en-
lowered to make recommendations for
their settlement The treaty Will take an
,ther advanced step by binding the dis
nutants TO arbitration in case the COM
mission Of inquiry declares that the con-
troversy shall be arbitrated.
Arbitration in all cases will be last
resort After the two countries nave
decided that IL Is impossible To settle a
Continued on second page.
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