New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-18
Secretary Knox Outlines Treaty.

The tentative draft of the proposed
treaty was described by Secretary hnoN
to-day in the following official statement
which. he said, was as specihc as II
could be made at the present time
The Department has completed orais
Il general arbitration treaty WIFI Iii
been approyel by the President. ana W ~
he submitted to the French ana britisn
an1ba ssa doris as formula upon WHICH
this government Is now Wiling 10 en-
| into negotiations, using TINS te"'d'iN'
| draft as a basis. o,ia-
This draft is not the result OF nesoila-
rions with any particular couiIr!, -
represents what this government pelIe . 20
to be a sound basis for negotiations io'
| the extension or the scope VI 10
! tratiOn treaties. a
II has heen sent 10 the French ana
British Anba ssa doris because they hao
indicated the desire Of their countries 70
discuss the subject Of general trea'! "
arbitration which would INCLUDE all dIi :
fcrences that might arise win Ihis
country.
The general features of the draft are
these. II expands the scope OF our eA'
listing general arbitration agreements 10y
eliminating the exceptions contained Ia
existing ones of questions OF vital inter-
=
est and national honor
II is proposed that all differences that
are internationally justlclaole shdll NC
submitted TO the Hague tribunal unless
ly special agreement some other Tribunal
Is created or selected. .-
II provides that differences that elmer
country thinks are not internationally
justicia bic shall be referred 10 commls-
sion of inquiry with power to make rec
concentrations for their settlement. ms
commission 10 be made up Of nationals
Of the two governments who are members
OF the Hague court.
Should the commission decide that the
difference should he arbitrated, this de-
cision is to be binding.
Arbitrations are TO be conducted unGer
terms of submission subject TO the auNlCe
and consent of the Senate.
Before arbitration Is resorted TO. even
in cases where both countries agree that
The difference is one susceptible OF aroi-
tration decision. the commission or IN
curry shall investigate the difference
with a view Of recommending settle
ment that will preclude the necessity or
a. arbitration The action Of this COM
mission is not TO have the effect OF an
arbitral award. The commission at re-
quest of either government shall delay It's
! findings one year to give opportunity
for diplomatic settlement
The other features of the draft zeal
mainly with the machinery of the COM
mission and other essential details
May Go to Senate This Session.
The submission Of the drafts 10 Great
Britain and France marks the actual be-
/ ginning Of negotiations. The Foreign
Offices of the two countries will now
make an exhaustive examination OF the
American proposition with a view TO
suggesting notifications or additions. 1t
is the desire Of the administration to
complete the negotiations if possible In
time for submission to the Senate be-
| fore the adjournment Of the present SEES
sion of Congress.
The vast importance of the proposed
arbitration treaty has been the subject
of discussion in diplomatic circles here
ever since the idea was suggested. Now
that this governments proposal has been
/ reduced TO concrete form the State De-
partment assumes a receptive role, will
ing 10 enter into negotiation on the same
| basis with all countries signifyng a de-
| sire to do so. II has been rumored re-
Gently that Japan was anxious TO join in
/ the negotiations. but so far no formal
/ discussion of the subject between the
two countries has occurred. .