The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-11
.OLDSTATE CLAIMS
ARE NOT AFFECTED
Arbitration Treaties Would Have
No Bearing on These
Debts.
OPINION OF WILLIAMS
Question Not National, and
Therefore Could Not Be-
come International.
OPINION OF WILLIAMS
Especial to T7t,scs- Dfspatch.l

Especial to TIC ttses -Dfspatch.l
! Washington, December 1o-"I do not
believe that the United States could
or would submit to arbitration tho
question of state debts"
This positive statement was made
/ by Senator John Sharp Williams, of
Mississippi, whom discussing the pend
ing arbitration treaties with France
and Great Britain. 1t was not an Off
hand declaration. but made after
careful study of the documents Scna.
tor Williams, when mempor OF tho
House Of Representatives. served a
| long time on the Foreign Affairs Com
nittee, and has always given duo at
tention to International affairs. Asked
! Tor a more definite statement on the
subject OF the arbitration treaties as
they relate to the old State claims
Senator Williams said:
| Il do not believe the United States
could submit State debt to arbitra-
ton, because 1t Is not a national ques-
| ton, and therefore could not become
| an international one. The urbitra ton
treaties as proposed refer in the first
place to questions hereafter arising.
Ihat. 1t seems TO me. would put
quietus on the question. Secondly, 1t
refers to internationar matters, and
| then in the third place. 1t says that II
either country shall suggest that
proposed question is not tusticiable,
II shall be referred to the 'ioInt high
commission of inquiry three of whom
would be Americans, and that unless
That commission decides unanimously
or unless all but one OF them decide
that question Is justiaiable. that 1t
VIII not be so under the treaty. II
you will notice the language in article
l, which Is, as may be decided by spe-
cial agreement YOU will see that II
refers back, and By referring back,
you will find that in each case the
special agreement will define the
scope of the power of the arbitrators
| and win define the question or ques-
| lions at issue 1 cannot conceive that
the United States Senate In defining
the scope of tho power of the arbitra-
tors, or in defining the question or
| questions at issue, would define a cues.
ton of State debt to be within their
scope, or at Issue This is especial
~ of importance, because In the next
TO the last clause of article l, II Ia
| recited that the special agreement in
each case shall be made upon the part
Of the United States, by and with the
advice and consent OF the Senate
United States Senate while defining
the scope of the power of the urhitra-
| tors, or the question or. questions at
| issue, would ever submit the Monroe
Doctrine. or any phase of It, or would
ever submit the question of Japanese
| or Chinese immigration, or would over
submit the question of State debts.
Acts Only on Request.
Remember that the Joint high COM
M
except upon the request of either
| party, to make an impartial and con-
scientious Investigations and report
concerning any controversy between
| the parties and even then the IAN
guase Is that only IL all, or all but
one OF the commission agree and re-
port that such difference is within the
| scope of article /. 1t shall be referred
10 arbitration in accordance with the
provisions of this treaty BY re-
fcrring back to the language of ar
| ticle l. you Will find what the words
In accordance with the provisions of
this treaty mean, to wit: that 1t is
to be arbitrated either by the per-
manent court at The Hague or by
some other arbitral tribunal as may
be decided upon in each case by spe-
cial agreement which special agree
ment,' you will remember, in the Ian
the part of the United States, by the
President OF the United States by and
with the advice and consent OF the
Senate. Now, the Senate while giving
it's consent defines the scope. etc, as
have stated.
I'm my opinion, the joint high COM
mission is the most valuable part Of
the treaty proposed; not because or
what 1t can do, but because OF what it
can delay. 1t gives time cooling
time because the first clause in ar
ticle provides that a reference to
the commission, even when requested
by one of the parties, may be post
poned' by the other, or by either for
whole year after the date of the
formal request in order. to use the
language of the treaty, TO afford an
opportunity for diplomatic discussion
and adjustment
Il do not believe that any government
can submit to arbitration any question
except It be question constituting n
difference between itself and another
government There never was any
question between the United States
and any other government concerning
debts due by Il State to it's bondho old
crs III tho first place. the United
! states was not the debtor, and If there