The Irish standard., 1911-05-20
FRANCE IN ANGLO
AMER|CVN PACT
TRIPLE CHARACTER OF ARBITRA
TloN TREATY is REVEALED
AT WASHINGTON.
ARBITRATION IN SIGHT AT LAST
Tentative Drafts Arc Handed to Am.
MISUNDERSTANDING of All
Disputes Between Nations
Is Provided.

Washington, May 1S.-The principle
of arbitration of practically all dis
putes between nations, including even
questions of vital interest and ma.
tional honor, assumed vitality when
Secretary of State Knox submitted to
the British and French ambassadors
at Washington the draft of a conven-
ton to serve as basis of negotia-
lions The fact that this world move
ment would be inaugurated with
France as we'll as Great Britain, came
as a surprise, as it was generally I'M
derstood that only the United States
and England were concerned in the
initial steps.
When President Taft last December
enunCiated the doctrine Of comprehen-
Sive arbitration he received quick
response from Ambassadors Bryce and
Jusserand that Great Britain and
France were willing to begin negotia.
lions with this country for the peace
full settlement of practically all differ
enccs that may arise. The president
Instructed Secretary Knox Immediate
~ to crystalize the arbitral PROPOSE
tion which this governments would
offer to foreign nations.
The secretary has evolved a docu-
ment which has received the approval
Of the president and the other men,
bers of his cabinet, providing that all
differences which are internationally
III ini Ia q OH ha pNn1j tod To
btration. II expands the scope of
the existing arbitration treaties by
eliminating the exceptions referring
to questions of vital interest and
national honor"
This elimination is the real accom-
plislnent Of Che proposed treaty. The
exceptions mentioned are found In ar
| btration treaties the world over and
have constituted the chief obstacle to
the application of the arbitration prn-
riple. for 1t is hard TO conceive Of a
problem which in its essence cannot
be regarded as having controlling
bearing upon national honor" or "vi-
tai interest"
Recognizing that there may be uues-
tons of policy and other matters like
ly to force nations to the brink of
war but which no people would be
willing to arbitrnte the tentative draft
Of the treaty provides that differences
that either party consider within this
category shall be referred to COM
mission Of inquiry empowered to make
recommendations for their settlement.
In this connection the treaty will take
another advanced step by binding the
disputants to arbitration in case the
commission OF inquiry declares that
the controversy shall be arbitrated.
| Arbitration in all cases will be a
last resort. After the two countries
have concluded that it is impossible
to settle dispute through diplomatic
interchange the question will be sub.
mitted to a commission in inquiry
charged with the Office of suggesting
a way to avoid arbitration If possible
Should the commission decide that
the difference should be arbitrated,
this decision is to be binding.
The submission Of the drafts to
Great Britain and France marks the
actual beginning Of negotiations. The
foreign offices of the two countries
will now make an exhaustive examina-
ton Of the American proposition with
view to suggesting notifications or
additions. 1t is the desire of the adj
ministration to complete the negotia-
tons, If possible. in time for submits
sion to the senate before the adjourn
ment of the present session of con.
Bress.