New-York tribune., 1911-01-06
NEW TREATY WITH
BRITAIN UNDER WAY
President Taft Institutes Nego-
tiations for General Arbi-
tration Convention.
COVERS THE GROUND FULLY
Work Begun on Return of AM
bassador Bryce to Washing
ton-Pledge to Peace So
ciety Made Good.
rFr7n The tribune Bureau |

washington, Jan. D--l nat tIeSluchN
Taft is one who makes good his words
with deeds" will become more than ever
obvious 10 all. and especially to the ad-
,.ocates Of universal peace. when they
learn that the return of the British Am
bassador. Mr. Bryce, has been followed
Immediately by the beginning of negotia-
tions looking to a general treaty of ar
hitration with Great Britain. which Will
cover all possible points Of issue.
In this course President Taft is seek
,ng the same sort Of convention as those
regotiated in the last administration, but
which she Senate insisted on so amend
ing as to make necessary the ratification
Of preliminary treaties before any ques-
ton could he submitted TO arbitration.
The amendment so thoroughly emascu-
lated the treaties that President Roose
welt refused TO put them in effect.
Addressing the American Society for
the Judicial Settlement of International
Disputes last month. President Taft ex-
pressed himself as thoroughly in favor
Of the principle for which that society
stands, and said in the course of his re-
marks:
II now We can negotiate and put
through a positive agreement with some
great ma don To abide the adjudication
of an international arbitration court in
every issue which cannot be settled by
negotiation no matter what it involves.
whether honor, territory or money, we
shall have made a long step forward by
demonstrating that it is possible for two
nations. at least. TO establish as between
them the same system of due process of
law that exists between individuals
under a government"
How thoroughly in earnest Mr.. Taft
was when he expressed this sentiment
may be seen from the fact that no sooner
did Mr. Bryce arrive in Washington than
negotiations looking to such treaty be-
gan.
Great Britain's Approval Expected.
There is. OF course little reason 20
fear that Great Britain will interpose
any serious difficulty as in that coun-
try it is not necessary to submit trea-
ties to any legislative body for approval.
and as the Crown gladly consented TO
such treaty before. will probably do
SO again.
President Taft's difficulties will come
when he undertakes TO secure the APP
proval Of the Senate for such a treaty.
That body held before that TO permit
the executive branch Of the government
TO approve the protocols, or compromis.
10 use the more precise word Of diplo-
matte parlance without subjecting them
10 the Senate was clearly an attempt
on the part OF the executive branch TO
arrogate to itself treaty making powers
not contemplated by the Constitution,
and i'm which under the Constitution,
the Senate must share. Public senti-
ment has changed since that time, and
there is not the inordinate fear that the
present Chief Executive will encroach
on the powers Of the coordinate
branches which was entertained by some,
al least. with regard 10 President Roose-
Welt incidentally, the fact that no less
a lawyer than Mr. Taft has determined
10 stand sponsor for such a convention
is a somewhat striking vindication Of
ox-President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hay.
Mr.. RooseveIt's Experience Recalled.
The experience Of former administra-
tions does not afford much ground for
optimism regarding the fate Of the con-
vention which President Taft and Secre-
tary Knox purpose to negotiate. Secre-
tary Hay. with the cordial approval of
President Roosevelt, negotiated seven
general arbitration treaties with as many
Of the leading powers of Europe. They
were submitted 10 the Senate, where the
question Of constitutionality was prompt
~ raised. Mr.. Roosevelt made every pos
sllle effort TO secure their ratification in
such form as would at least preclude
their virtual cmasculation. but without
avail Some Of his most devoted friends
and supporters in the Senate voted for
the amendment reported By the Commit
Tee on Foreign Relations. This amend
ment provided that in every case where
arbitration was sought under general
treaty "a special treaty defining clearly
the matter in dispute, the scope of the
powers Of the arbitrators and the periods
20 be fixed for the formation Of the ar
bitral tribunal and the several stages OF
the procedure" must be negotiated, and
such a treaty would, of course, have to
be submitted 10 tie Senate. In effect
this meant that all the usual processes
OF negotiation and treaty making must
be employed before any important ques-
ton could be submitted TO arbitration.
President Roosevelt having learned OF
the purpose Of the Senate SO to amend
the treaties. sent a communication to
the chairman of the Committee on For
eign Relations in which he declared that
with the proposed amendment we
would have treaty Of arbitration
which in effect. will do nothing but re-
cite that this government will, wien 1t
deems it wise. hereafter enter into treat
les Of arbitration" and he further maze
II clear that If the Senate adopted the
proposed amendment he "ouId NOT
undertake to complete the treaties py
exchanging ratincations.
Amended by the Senate.
A dramatic scene occurred in the sen
ate when. i'm executive session IT con-
sidered the treaties and Senators VINO
had always been most loyal to Fresiue"'
Roosevelt took occasion TO explain now