New-York tribune., 1911-03-15
NEW INTERNATIONAL BODY
Commission to Adjust Questions
Arising with Canada.
THREE AMERICAN MEMBERS
Boundary Waters Commission
Clothed with Important and
Far-Reaching Powers.
From The Tribune Bureau

relations between the nlted states ana
Canada thus far accomplished was COM
pleted to-day when the Department OF
State formally delivered commissions 10
tho three members OF the Joint commission
which is hereafter 10 deal with all issues
between the two countries. Powers are
delegated TO this body. which It Is believed.
will avoid employment OF the Circuitous
route OF all former negotiations which have
been conducted by way Of Downing Street.
and will mako possible a directness OF
communication and conference which, with
the obvious community Of interest between
the Dominion and the United States VIII
doubtless forestall serious dsaGrcements.
This commission is created under the terms
f the treaty with Great Britain ratified
MAY D. 1917
The American Commissioners are Thomas
IT. Carter. ex-senator from Montana and
member OF the Committee on Foreign Re
latious: james 4. Tawney. long one Of the
leaders of the House OF Representatives.
and Frank :. Strccter we'll known mem
her Of the New Hampshire bar The joint
commission. popularity referred 10 as "the
Boundary Waters Commission" has far
broader and more important duties than
that term would imply. II is created pri-
marly TO deal with the control and utiliza-
/ tion Of the boundary waters. and will exer-
else both judicial and legislative powers
with respect to all questions pertaining
/ thereto. the view of the majority 20 be
! dnal. But il vii also exercise judicial
| functions With respect 10 all other ques-
| tions involving the rights. obligations or
interests OF the United States or the Do
minion OF Canada either In relation TO
/ each other or 90 their respective inhabi-
tauts If both governments agree 10 refer
such questions 10 the commission for de-
/ csion.' The reference on the part Of the
/ United States is 10 be made with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate. the de-
cisiou Of the majority OF the commission
TO be hnal ir such cases. and. where the
commission is evenly divided the vote Of
an umpire appointed under the terms of
The Hague Conference 10 he final
Finally. the commission is clothed with
an inyesugative aud quasi judicial power
. iu any question involving the rights o.
either country or its citizens. and regarding
which either country may request an in
ves,isation and finding Of facts.
viii Prevent Msundcrstandinss.
So farreachi therefore, are the pow
crs with which the new commission is
clothed and SO wei designed is IL to deal
with all issues which might ultimately lead
10 disputes that n is safe assertion that
no step has been taken tu the relations
between this country and Great Britain
and Canada which promises 70 prove Of
such importance in settling existing issues
and preventing future Observation-Disclosures
and conflicts Of interest.
fr. 1fc rtf f~ ola. ID eH . %
negotiations between the United states and
Great Britain which had 10 do With the
affairs of canada can form any adequate
conception Of the circuml ocutton involved.
British auha ssador IN Washington
sometimes possessed Of inadequate knovl-
eose of tho points AT issue Eoud under
take negotiations with the Secretsry of
state. Any tentative agreement they might
reach had 70 he submitted 10 the Foreign
Of7ce m Downing street by II transmitted
n tho Colonial once and hr II conmuni-
cated 20 tho Canadian authorities ct
OttaVa A0 objection raised st Ottawa
had ~ fol on tho same circuitous path hN-
fire f. reached Washington. and often
either the Foreign Omco or the colon al
Ofico or both. would rterpose objections
fs~ from pertinent or would interiec' issues
hy no wAare rcrmano The histor' of the
relations between rho United States and
canada is repiete with instances II mis-
understandings and doiavs inevitable under
such system. hut which Til be avoided
unde~ tho treaty Of 1909 and through the
good offices If the commission nov created
IN accordance 7itr rs provisions
The rapid development which IS going IN
III along tho canadian boundary. tho prog
ross Of irrigation. tho valgo Of na;e~ power
"a. q producer Of eicctricity. e'r.. combine
4. render inuortan. the duties of fl'o COM
mission which have 90 do especially with
tho BOUNDARY waters. The employment ot
water for ;hssc purposes except under
proper supervision must almost invariably
BOO attended with injury 20 th" inhabitants
on one or the other side Of tho boundary
Powers OF the Commission.
With more than three thousand miles of
BOUNDARY between the United state ana
Canada. questions other than those CON
nected with the utilization or distribution
OF tho boundary waters are certain 10 arise
from time to time. Under the terms ~ IN"
convention which called this commission
into existence. it will furnish the machinery
nv which these also may he dealt with in
a manner calculated 20 avert friction ana
nromoto Justice The delegation of power
10 deal with AN questions or matters Of
difference arising between the high con-
tracting parties involving the rights, obii-
cations or interests Of the United States or
Of the Dominion of Canada either iu rela
tion 10 each other or 20 their respective
inhabitants" is wholly iu accord With that
spirif Of arbitration which found it's most
conprehensive and concrete expression IN
tho Hague Convention Of 1907. and indeed
it IS provided that If the commission tnds
/ Itself equally divided on such matter OF
difference duly referred 10 II by both gov
/ ernments. an umpire shall be selected In
sccordancc with the provisions Of that con-
vsntion. and the vote OF the umpire shall
/ bo final in the settlement of the point AZ
issue.
A is expected that Canada Will promptly
/ arpoiut the three members who are 20 rep
/ r.eeuf the I-minion Oh tho international
/ ioint commission and that I'm accordance
/ uitp the terms Of the treaty the irst
meeting viii be held IN Washington In the
near future At this meeting the organi-
,ation will h, completed and a programme
adopted vhi,h will hx the times and places
! for future meetings
! PARSONS ON RECIPROCITY