Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-21
VERMONT AND THE ARBITRATION TREATIES.


general wishes Of the people of Vermont as manifested through
various of public expression of opinion
At recent meeting of the Burlington commercial club
resolutions adopted of the project to secure the
ratification OF treaties Of general arbitration WIN european
countries
Senator Dillingham; has enclosed the president of the
club copy of a letter he to the Hon. William
j. Van aten stating the position taken in support OF general
Ontng personal part of the letter
permitted quote Dlinghams statement that he is
heartily favor Of these treaties and would not contract the
scope the arbae questions as therein defined in the slight
est degree Such agreements in accord with the spirit OF
the and their moral effect upon the maintenance of peace
among nations cannot be measured Senator Dillingham; con-
tnues:
81 am glad to learn also that most of those who find it
difficult to favor the ratification of these treaties as they
sent TO the Senate heartily in favor of treaties of
this character and would broaden the OF arb
abe questions than to contract the Instead of OPP
posing the object and purpose of these treaties many have
been led to suppose they heartily favor them and seek
~ to guard against danger which they in the powers
granted to the JOINT high commission under the last clause
Of Article H. to determine whether particular question
which may be in dispute which within the terms
OF the treaties IN whore the parties such treaties
unable to agree that it is arbitrablc.
lho Senate committee foreign relations recommends
the elniaon OF tat clause. insisting that under it the
Joit hlgh COMMISSION IN determining what questions are
arbtrbo may draw the line to suit themselves instead of
observing the line drawn by the reatylnakng power,
for instance to compel the United States TO arbrate the
question of its right to exclude Objectionable classes of
aliens. which no could
"Tha You may clearly understand that these gentle
not in attitude Of opposition the treaties but
are seeking only to provide against possible danger to the
United States of being compelled arbrate questions quite
outside those embraced in the of the agreement
sending under separate copy of the report Of
the Senate committee on foreign relations upon these treat
les The committee making this report composed of
Senators Cullom Frye, Lodge Smith. Root McCumbcr,
Sutherland 5orah Burton Bacon. stone, Shvov Clarke,
RaNncr and Hitchcock and of this number Senators Root
Culom and Burton the only to dissent from the
views of the committee expressed in the report made by
Senator Lodge recommending simply the elimination of that
clause But will be noticed that Mossrs Root and
Cuom in part recognize the danger suggested by maj or
y Of their associates and suggest the adoption of resou
ton which Mr. Root has since ntrouced in connection with
the ratification of the treaty. which is intended to obviae
such danger without changing the text Of the treaties
''The fact that all but of members of the
miee foreign relations danger in the aforementioned
clause situation which cannot be lightly treated
While the danger arising from this provision
be remote that can favor the ratification of these treat
les they sent to the Senate can little objection
to Senator Root resolution which makes clear the fact that
not submitting any question which depends upon
involves the maintenance of the traditional attitude Of
the United States concerning American questions other
governmental policy this being the construction of the
treaties which is placed upon them by those avorng their
ratification they While as before stated
for the treaties they stand would willingly
this amendment if through It's adoption the ratification of
Senator's Dillingham; and Page would like their
constituents study the reports Of the majority and the minor
les and communicate freely with them the subject
The report of the majority quotes the first article of the
treaty which provides that all differences between the two
established by The Hague convention in 1907
other tribunal by special agreement
The majority holds that while the definition of the
questions be submitted 10 arbitration very large and
general and somewhat ndcterlnnap these
juscabe by of being susceptible OF decision by the
picaton Of the principles of law and equity IN England
and the United States and wherever the principles of
law obtain the words law and equity have
meaning but in France il is necessary broadly
and therein lies the chief danger.
To guard against any undue extension of the of
arbitration it is provided that either party desires,
Joint commission OF inquiry shall examine into and report
upon the subject Of the controversy between The
concerned and the report shall be binding both parties
The majority also says 'hot to take from the Senate in
degree by the Of saying whether
given question for arbitration destroy the power
of the Senate the most important point be decided in
connection with differences arising with any other nation
if constitutional
The gravity of the matter increased by consideration
Of the fact that if into these treaties with Great
Britain and France make in precisely the
with other friendly powers that ask do
There questions which no nation VIII consent to
submit the decision any but themselves. and to
force such sons arbrat would h violation
Of the treaty and the possibility Of
The minority report that the pending treaties do
not involve abandonment Of he constitutional powers
CT the Senate and that the contrary not be mat
q except on tn" theory that all general m ate of arbra-
ton involve srch abandonment.
The minority report suggests the avoiding Of all
tmntY and without amending the treaty by including in
the resolution Of rat 'fcation qualifying clause
With the possibility of limiting danger Of serious in
ternatlona misunderstanding what questions
bitrabc thus made plain there would be
why the sentiment in favor Of general arbitration should
be thus gaining thp