Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-18
A STEP FORWARD.
Sec. Knox Has Evolved a
Plan Of Arbitration
Whereby Practically All Inter
national Disputes Maybe Settled.
France, England and United States
Will initiate the Plan.

Washington, May 1.-THE principle
of arbitration OF practically all dis
putes between nations, including even
questions of vital interest and national
honor, assumed vitality today when
Secretary of State Knox submitted to
the British and French ambassadors
at Washington the draft Of q conven-
ton to serve as basis Of negotiations
The fact that this world movement
would be inaugurated with France as
well as Great Britain was a great sur
prise, for it was generally understood
that only the United states and Eng,
land We're concerned in initial steps.
When President Taft last December
enuneiated the doctrine of eommehea-
sive arbitration, he received quick
response from Ambassadors Bryce and
Jusserand that Great Britain and
France were willing to begin negotia
tons with this country for the peace
full settlement of practically all differ
ences that may arise. The President
instructed Sec. Knox Immediately to
crystali2e the arbitratal position which
this government would offer to for
eign nations.
The secretary has evolved an instru-
ment which has received the approval of
the President and the other members
Of his cabinet providing that all differ
ences which are internationally justici-
able shall be submitted to arbitration. 1t
expands the scope of the existing arbi-
tration treaties by eliminating the ex-
eeptions referring to questions of vital
interest and national honor"
AL.
plishment of the proposed treaty. The
exceptions mentioned are found in arbi-
tration treaties the world over and have
constituted the chief obstacle to the APP
plication principle because it is hard to
conceive of problem which in essence
cannot be regarded as having eontrol-
ing bearing upon national honor" or
vital interest
Recognizing that there may be ques-
tons of policy and other matters likely
to force nations to tie brink Of war but
which no people Would be willing to ar
btrate the tentative draft of the treaty
provides that differences that either par
ty consider within this category shall be
referred to a commission of inquiry en-
powered to make recommendations for
their settlement In this respect the trea-
t. will take another advanced step by
binding the disputants to arbitration in
case the commission of inquiry deeares
that the controversy shall be arbitrated.
Arbitration viii in all cases be q
last resort. After the two counries
have concluded that it is impossible
to settle a dispute by diplomatic in
terchange. the question VIII be sub
mitted to commission of inquiry
charged with the duty OF suggesting
way To avoid arbitration is possi-
BILE. The United States Senate will
not be asked to relinquisE it's right
to pass upon the question of arbitrat-
ing each dispute.
Tile tentative draft of the proposed
treaty was described by Sec Knox
today in the following official state
ment which he said was as specific
as it could be made at the present
time:
The department has completed a
draft of a general arbitration treaty
which has been approved by Tie
President and viii be submitted to
the French and British ambassadors
as a formula upon which this govern
ment is now willing To enter into ne
gctia,ions using the tentative draft as
a basis.
~This draft is not the result of nego-
tiattons with any particular country.
but represents what this government
believes to be sound basis for nego
tiations for the extension OF the scope
Of its arbitration treaties.
1T has been sent to the French and
British ambassadors. because they had
indicated the desire of their countries
to discuss the subject of general
treaty Of arbitration which would ina
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