Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-08-08
TRIPLE PEACE PACT.
America, England and France Sign
Arbitration Treaty.

Washington, Aug. 3.-Secretary Of
State Knox and Ambassador Bryce OF
Great Britain, this afternoon ex-
changed signatures upon the arbitra-
ton treaty between the United States
and Great Britain, which, for the first
time in history, provides for the arbl-
tration Of controversies involving
questions of national honor and vital
interest.
At the same time Secretary Knox
placed his signature upon the treaty
with France, and Vicomte Saent
Phalle, French vice-consul at New
York witnessed the signature for the
French government. Earlier today
Ambassador Jusserand of France had
signed the French copy Of the Franco
American treaty in the foreign office
at Paris, so that both treaties became
accepted today and are ready now for
submission to the senate. 1t had at
first been planned to have the treaties
exchanged by messenger, but II was
found that a week could be saved by
arranging for the signatures to be Of
| ficially witnessed.
The ceremony took place in the his
toric Presidents Study Of the white
house, where many other treaties have
been signed, the last being the treaty
of peace with Spain. President Taft.
the members of his cabinet, a few
newspaper men and photographers
were the only witnesses Of the cere-
mony. An impressive simplicity mark
ed this forward step to universal
peace. Secretary Knox and the foreign
plenipotentiaries gathered at the desk,
The pens scratched. President Tart
smiled his satisfaction. Ambassador
bryce nodded his head In his curious
| Iy quaint way, and the treaties had be-
come accepted OF three great nations.
Congratulations followed, OF course,
and then President Taft stood at the
liable with the diplomats while the lit
tie battery Of cameras snapped the
| picture.
The treaties were then taken into
custody by Secretary Knox for sub
mission to the senate. The presence
OF Vicomte Saent Phalle had been es-
| pecially arranged with the French
government in order that both treaties
might be hurried to the senate with
out the delay incident to an exchange
of treaties between Washington and
Paris
1t was at first planned to have only
M: Jusserand, the French ambassador
60 the United States, who Is now In
Paris, sign the French treaty at the
foreign Office in Paris at the same
time the American copy was signed
here by Secretary Knox This Is the
usual diplomatic course. 1t would,
however in this instance, have forced
President Taft to await the arrival OF
the French copy before he could have
sent the treaty to the senate. He de-
sired to send both Of them at the
same time. This would have delayed
submission at least until Aug. IL and
might have prevented the treaties be-
| ing sent to the senate. This may be
done tomorrow, and 1t Is expected
that the senate will act upon them at
| this session.
| The texts of the treaties were not
made public, as they have still to be
| passed upon by the senate In execu-
| tive session. However, generally 1t Is
stated that they supplement the pres
ent treaties and exceed in scope all
other arbitration treaties by extending
| the machinery Of international arbi-
4
al honor and vital interests. the two
exceptions made in the former treaties
with England and France and which
have never been included In an arbi-
| tration treaty before. The entire text
of the treaties hinges upon this inno-
| vation, dealing with the machinery
| for the operation OF the arbitration
provisions.
They provide that all differences
L oV~INf hi 10
be submitted to the Hague Tribunal
or to some other tribunal II especially
arranged for. Questions which are
not internationally justifiable are to be
submitted to a commission of inquiry.
This commission shall be composed OF
| the representatives of the Hague
court Of the two countries involved.
Its decision as to the propriety Of ar
bitrating the question shall be binding
| upon the two countries Arbitrations,
however, are to be conducted under
| terms Of submission subject to the ad-
vice and consent Of the senate. This
feature preserves the privileges Of the
senate in its treaty-making power
| completely.
This commission Is required to In
vestigate to determine the need OF ar
bitration even in questions where Ii Is
admitted Of both sides that the ques-
| ton Is arbitrable. It's decision, how
ever will not have the effect of an ar
| bitral award. At the request Of either
government the commission will delay
its findings one year to give an oppor-
tunity for settlement of the dispute by
diplomatic negotiations.
The diplomatic negotiations for the
adoption Of these treaties was begun
between Secretary Knox, Ambassador
Bryce for England, and Ambassador
Jusserland for France, on May II. The
suggestion was first put forth by
President Taft in several speeches
which he made last winter, in which
he expressed the hope that some ar
rangements might be adopted between
war would be greatly minimiZed.
Shortly afterward II was reported In
this country that the English govern
ment would be favorable to proposals
for complete arbitration, and as a re-
suit Secretary Knox prepared ten
tative draft of a treaty representing
the agreement which this country
would be willing to enter into with
any other nation. 1t was soon learned
| that France too had advised its AM
basador here that she would be glad
to entertain such a proposal and the
final announcement that negotiations
had been entered into was made on
i
May II.
A short time ago President Taft an
nOunced at the anniversary celebra-
ton of the battle of Bull Run that
three other nations had commenced
negotiations with the state department
for the adoption of similar treaties.
These nations, 1t is generally under
stood, are Germany Italy and the
Netherlands 1t is also reported here
that the action of the Japanese gov
ernment in accepting a reservation In
its treaty Of alliance with Great Bril-
tain to the effect that the terms OF al
lance should not apply in war be-
tween either of the allied nations and
a nation with which the other country
had a general arbitration treaty fore
shadOwed a treaty between this coun-
try and Japan.
The signing of the treaties today
besides I'm marking an epoch In the
movement toward worldwide peace
brings a notable personal triumph to
Mr.. Taft Mr.. Taft has received the
full credit for the present movement
that resulted in the signing of the