The Washington times., 1913-07-13
PEACE PROPOSAL MAY
EMBARRASS j. S.
Bryan's Convention Sent to
Powers May Weaken the
Monroe Doctrine.

With the announcement by Secretary
| Bryan that he has forwarded the full
text of his peace treaty proposal to
all the civilized nations of the world,
| including those which have. and those
! which have not, approved the general
Idea of the proposed convention, persons
interested in State Department affairs
end particularly in matters pertaining
to tie Mexican situation, are beginning
to suggest the possibility of consider
able embarrassment to this Government
should the treaty be adopted
This embarrassment, II is suggested,
might not be limited to the Mexican
situation, but to Americas dealings with
other Central and South American coun-
tries under the terms of the Monroe
doctrine. 1t Is pointed out that, in SUBJ
stance, the contracting nations agree
that all questions in dispute between
the "of whatever character and ma
ture" shall, when diplomatic efforts fail,
be submitted for Investigation and re-
port by all impartial, international COM
mission; ''and the contracting parties
agree not to declare war or begin hos
tili.ies until such investigationNis made
and report submitted 1t is suggested
that the period Of investigation shall
be fixed at one year.
Weakens Monroe Doctrine.
Seeking concrete examples Of how
the proposed treaty would work those
who have studied it have assumed
that the United States has bound it
self to the treaty along with Mexico,
or any other of the turbulent ma
M 10 lao far
of the agreement, it is suggested
that the United States. for at least
one year, would be estopped from in
tervening for the protection of her
citizens or the citizens of any for
eign nationality. and for that reason,
however strong the provocation for
using 1t, this country's club over her
smaller nations would be consider
ably weakened.
Thus far. twenty foreign nations,
many of. whom are believed to havs
long had their hopes fixed on 4 valid
American affairs and n disregard of
the Monroe doctrine. have accepted
the principle" of Secretary Bryan's
novel proposal
He himself has been surprised at
The promptness with which the big
nations of Europe have responded to
his suggestions, and, apparently, not
little flattered at their acceptance
OF his ideas. Some OF these nations
are among the very ones which in re-
money to the building of dread
naughts. Japan is but one of the few
leading nations which thus far have
not warmed up to the proposal.
Details OF Proposal.
Sacratary prrap bopas to ba q hla IN
start actual negotiations with these
countries by fall. and, within = year
CT SO. have treaties framed and in
operation with all OF them. based or
the fabric of what ne has been pleas
ed to entitle: President Wilson's
Peace Proposal" The details Of the
propc sal. as communicated by Secre-
tary Bryan to the foreign nations,
are as follows:
The parties hereto agree that all
questions of whatever character and
in dispute between them. shall, |
when diplomatic efforts fail, be submit
ted for investigation and report 10 an
commission Ohe compost /!
ton to be agreed upon); and the con- |
tracing parties agree not to declare !
war or begin hostilities until such in |
vestigation is made and report submit |!
ted.
The investigation shall be conducted |
as matter OF course upon the initia- |
tive of the commission, without the for !!
mality OF a request from either party: |
the report shall be submitted within /
Ctime to be agreed upon) from the date !
of the submission of the dispute, but |
the parties hereto reserve the right to |
act independently on the subject matter |
in dispute after the report is submitted. |
In the peace plan proposed by the |
President to all the nations. the COM
position of the International Commits
sion Is left to agreement between the |
parties. and the Secretary of State is |
authorized to suggest for the cOnsid-
Grafton of those who are willing to en-
ter into this agreement:
Il That the International Commits
sion be of five members. TO be composed
the contracting countries. to be chosen
by the government: one member to be
chosen by each of the contracting coun-
tries from some other country, and the
nth member of the commission to be
agreed upon by the two governments,
the commission to be appointed as soon
as convenient after the making of the
treaty, vacancies to he filled according
10 the original appointment.
80 The time also Is to be agreed up
Dn. and II Is suggested that that time be
Dne year. II year Is considered too
onS or too short, this Governemnt will
consider either greater or a less