The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-18
KNOX SUBMITS
TREATY DRAF 7
France as Well as Great Brit
ain Principals in the Arbi-
tratiOn Movement.
PRESIDENT APPROVES
WORK OF SECRETARY
Accomplishment Is Regarding
"Questions of Vital Interest
and National Honor"

WASHINGTON. May 17.-The princi
pie of arbitration Of practically all dis
putes between all nations INCLUDING ques-
tions of vital interest and national honor,
assumed vitality today when Secretary
Knox submitted TO the British and
French ambassadors al Washington the
draft of a convention to serve as basis
Of negotiations.
The fact that this movement would be
inaugurated with France as we'll as with
Great Britain came as a surprise, as II
was generally understood that only the
United States and England were con-
cerned
When President Taft last summer
enunciated the doctrine Of comprehensive
arbitration he received a quick response
from ambassadors Bryce and Jusserand
that Great Britain and France were Will
ing to begin negotiations with this coun
try for the peaceful settlement Of prac-
ticslly all differences that may arise.
The president instructed Secretary
Knox Immediately 10 crystsize the arbi-
trail proposition which this government
would offer TO foreign nations.
Great Obstacle Removed.
The secretary has evolved document
which received the approval Of the presi-
dent and the other members of his csbi-
net providing that all differences which
are internationally justicia BILE shall be
submitted 10 arbitration. 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 accomplish
nlent OF the proposed treaty. The excep-
tions mentioned are found in srbitra-
lion treaties the world over and have con-
stltuted the chief obstacle to the applica-
ton Of the arbitration principles for 1t is
hard TO conceive Of q. problem which In
It's essence cannot be regarded as having
a controlling Influence on national
honor" or vital interest"
Recognizing that there may be ques-
tions OF policy and other matters likely
to force nations TO the brink OF war, but
which no people would be willing to ar
bitrate, the tentative draft OF the treaty
provides that differences that either
party considers within this category shall
be referred 10 a commission OF inquiry
empowered to make recommendations for
their settlement,
Arbitration Last Resort
In this connection the treaty will take
another advanced step by binding the
disputants TO arbitration in case the COM
mission OF inquiry declares that the con-
troversy shall be arbitrated
Arbitration in all cases will be last
resort. After the TWO countries have
concluded that II is impossible 10 settle
dispute through 01plOU15llC interchange,
the question will be submitted to com
missio nof inquiry charged with the duty
of suggesting a word to avoid arbitra-
tion IL possible
The United states senate will not be
asked TO relnquish its right TO pass on
each dispute. All agreements to arbi-
trate will be entered into with the ad-
vice and consent of the senate" under the
conditions
The proposed draft of the proposed
treaty vas described 2s;, by Secretary hnoS
he said was as specific as it could be
made at the present time
Statement of Secretary.
The department has completed draft
OF a general arbitration treaty which has
been approved by the president and will
be submitted to the French and British
ambassadors as formula upon which
this government Is now willing TO enter
into negotiations, using this tentative
draft a ba sis.
This draft is not the result of nego-
tations with any particular country, but
represents what this government believes
the extension OF the scope OF its arbitra
ton treaties.
1T has been sent TO the French and
British ambassadors because they had In
dicsted the desire of their countries TO
discuss the subject OF a general treaty
OF arbitration which would include all diff
ferences that might arise.
THE general features of the draft are
these;
1T expands the scope OF our general
arbitration agreements by eliminating the
exceptions contained In existing ones of
questions OF vital interest and national
honor.
1T Is proposed that all differences that
are internationally ju5ticiablc shall be
submitted 10 Tho Hague tribunal unless
by special agreement some other tribunal
is selected. II provides that differences
that either country thinks are NOT inter
nationally justiciable shall be referred to
commission of inquiry. with power to
make recommendations for their settle
ment. this commission to be made up Of