The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-05-26
new ARBITRATION
TREATY
UNITED STATES, BRITISH AND
FRENCH NATIONS AS
PRINCIPALS.

Senate Of United States Will Re-
tain the Right to Pass Upon the
Question Of Arbitratins Each Dis
pute.
Washington, May 2O.-The principle
of arbitration of practically all dis
putes between nations, including ques-
tons of vital interest and national
honor, assumed vitality when during
the week Secretary Knox submitted to
the British and French ambassadors
at Washington the draft of conven-
ton to serve as a basis of negotia-
tons.
France Is Included.
The fact that this movement would
be inaugurated with France as well
as with Great Britain came as a sur
prise, as it was generally understood
that only the United! States and Eng
land were concerned.
When President Taft last December
enunciated the doctrine of arbitration
he received quick response from
Ambassadors Bryce and Jusserand
that Great Britain and France were
willing to begin negotiations with this
country for the peaceful settlement of
practically all future differences.
Knox Document Approved.
AS a result, Secretary Knox has
evolved document which has receiv-
ed the approval of the president and
cabinet providing that all differences
shall be submitted to arbitration. 1t
expands the scope of the existing ar
bitration treaties by eliminating the
exceptions referring to questions of
vital interest and national honor"
This elimination is the real accom-
plishment of the proposed treaty, for
it is hard to conceive of an interna-
tional problem which cannot be re-
garded as having controlling bear
ing upon national honor" or vital
interest
Hefer 70 Commission.
Recognizing that there may be ques-
lions of policy and other matters like
ly to force nations to the brink of
war, but which no people would be
willing to arbitrate, the tentative draft
of the treaty provides that such diff.
ferences shall be referred to a COM
mission on inquory empowered to
make recommendations.
In this connection the treaty will
take another advanced step by bind
ing the disputants to arbitration.
which will be a last resort. After the
two countries have concluded that it
is impossible to settle a dispute
through diplomatic interchange, the
question will be submitted to a COM
mission of inquiry to suggest way
to avoid arbitration, if possible.
Senate Will Pass Upon.
The United States senate will not
be asked to relinquish its right to
pass upon the question of arbitrating
each dispute. ALI agreements to arbi-
trate will be entered into with the lad
vice and consent of the senate," as
under existing conventions.
Concerning the tentative draft of
the proposed treaty, Secretary Knox
said:
ut is proposed that all differences
that are internationally justifable
shall be submitted to The Hague tri-
bunal unless by special agreement
some other tribunal is created or Sc
lected.
ut. provides that differences that
either country thinks are not inter-
nationally justifiable shall be referred
to commission of inquiry with power
to make recommendations for their
settlement, this commission to be
made up of nationals of the two gov
ernments who are members of The
Hague court.
Decision to Be Binding.
Should the commission decide that
the difference should be arbitrated.
this decision is to be binding.
Before arbitration is resorted to.
even in cases where both countries
agree that the difference is one sus-
ceptibile Of arbitral decision, the COM
mission of inquiry shall investigate
the differences with a view of recon-
mending settlement that will pre-
clude the necessity of arbitration.
The action of this commission is not
to have the effect of an arbitral award
The commission at the request of
either government shall delay its find
ings one year to give opportunity for
diplomatic settlement.
THE other features OF the draft
deal mainly with the machinery of the
commission and other essential de-
tails"
Japan Anxious to Join.
The submission of the drafts to
Great Britain and France marks the
actual beginning Of negotiations. The