New-York tribune., 1912-01-09
WOULD QUALIFY TREATIES
Senator's Fear Fight Over Arpl'
tration Conventions.
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT
Would Have Him Sound Great
Britain and France on Scope
of Justiciable Questions.
rFrom TIE Tribune Bureau. J


asbinpton. Ian. s.-An effort Is being
do hv certain conservative Senators 10
.Iarce the President to agree to the adop-
.aor of a modified form of tho Root reso-
,',,,on for the ratification of the srbitra-
.ion treaties I'm order 10 avert the STORM
- Hscussion in open session which Is eN"
,scted If an attempt is made to force t"e
,,eaties through without such quarry
DC measure. They fear that the open
1,scussion Of the treaties will stir up the
,csentmcnt Of foreign governments ana
,ornIicatc the international relations OF
b.I-nited states. IT was pointed out that
senator Hitchcock's reference TO the
,-,oncb treaty as being of no conse"
ouence" a few days ago would not tend
,o pron,ote friendly relations with inc
French Republic.
This feeling of apprehension was ac-
,entuated to-day by Senator Cummlns
,rbo introduced a resolution calling on
,be President to ascertain whether or not
,be French and British governments wouio
sgree 10 arbitrate all justciable questions
With all other countries, whether or not
.boy have treaties with them, and whether
,bsv would object to Incorporating such
an understanding in the present arbitra-
ZION agreements.
senator Cummins will discuss his reso-
iip,ion tomorrow. and a number Of Sem
stors are afraid ii Will provoke debate
which would more properly be held behind
closed doors Senator'S who have taken a
stand against the treaties in their present
form assert that II they are forced TO de-
fond their attitude they will likewise dis
euss the possible entanglements which,
from their point Of view, may ensue II the
treaties are ratified without modification
or a clearer understanding as to the SUBJ
,ects which are not justiciahle. senator
C,,mr,ins's resolution is criticised by the
advocates of arbitration as an undipIo-
natic step and an obstacle 10 the move
ment for world peace.
II is pointed out that Secretary Knox III
his speech before the American society lor
The Judicial Settlement of lnternauohai
Disputes, placed an Interpretation upon the
treaties which, if II were clearly es'ao-
Hshed as the correct one. would insure
their approval by the Senate. "If the two
Governments agree that the difference IS
srbitrable." he said. they make an
agreement TO arbitrate IT. and 1t is sent TO
the Senate for its approval If the two
governments cannot agree that the differ
ence is arbitrable, that ends the matter
until the commission reports, and If its
rcport is that the difference is arbitraole
On agreement is made 10 arbitrate it, and
the agreement is sent 10 the Senate for
approval. just as II no such question had
been raised. and the Senate deals with 1t
with unimpaired powers"
IL this understanding of the treaties is
embodied in the resolution of ratification.
The necessary two-thirds vote could proba-
bly, be secured without difficulty. This
would leave the treaties themselves
intact II is contended that neither Great
Britain nor France would take exception
10 such a qualification, although it would
probably preclude the negotiation OF such
. treaty with Germany.
resolution inviting the parliaments OF
the world TO meet in Washington next Sep
tenber to discuss international arbitration
and 10 appropriate $4,000 therefor was in
uVduced in the House to-day by Represen-
tative Bartholdt OF Missouri.
Charleston, S. c.. Jan. S-Professor Ernst
Richard, of Columbia University. at a
meeting Of the Chamber of Commerce here
to-day, gave out letter from Charles ID.
Hilles, secretary to the President. concern
INK arbitration treaty negotiations with
Germany. Mr.. Eilles said:
In connection with the diplomatic negotia-
lions which resulted In the conclusion OF tho
arbitration treaties with Great Britain and
France this government expressed its will
ingness to enter upon negotiations for SINH
bar treaties with other powers, and. as has
already been announced, negotiations for
On arbitration treaty actually were entered
Spon with Garmany, but these negotiations
rith GERMANY well with other pow
erS have been temporarily held In abey-
ancc pending tho final action Of the Senate
upon the treaties with Great Britain and
France. which have been submitted TO the
Senate for rs advice and consent TO their