The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-07
Principle of Compulsory Ar
bitratiOn Considered
Dangerous
PANAMA CANAL TOLL
QUESTION FIGURES
Senate Fails to Ratify Treaty Re-
newals With England, Italy and
Spain - Strong Sentiment
Favors Action Taken

Washington, June s.-rhe principle
Of compulsory arbitration written into
the code thai has bound the United
States with Il nations of the world for
the last five years is said 10 be dam
gerous and unless there oe a decided
change in sentiment in the Senate and
a renewal of 2S of the treaties which
gave concrete evidence of this ma
tons belief in such a policy NAV he
Impossible. In executive session TO-
night the Senate again failed 10 ratify
renewals of arbitration agreements
with Great Britain, italy and Spain.
which recently expired. These conver-
tions provide that questions relating to
the Interpretation of treaties. except
ing those that cannot be settled through
diplomatic channels or those of vital
interest, national honor or independ-
enoe, shall be submitted to The Hague.
similar treaty with France already
has been renewed
Panama Question
The main argument tonight arose
over the contention that If the treaty
with Great Britain is ratified the pan
anna canal tolls question would have
to be submitted to The Hague, nut DUR
ing the discussion the Japanese ques-
ton and the general attitude of the
nation toward compulsory arbitration
was brought up and led to the express
sion of views utterly at variance with
entrance into such binding agreements
in the future.
a motion to re-refer the three trea-
ties to the foreign relation committee
with instructions that the one with
Great Britain be modified so as to ex-
empt specifically the Panama canal
tolls question was abandoned but pro-
lonSed the bill. was predicted for flu
ture session and friends of the prin-
ciple of arbitration were alarmed at
the strength displayed by the oppo-
sition One senator went so far as to
declare:
There are many people in the Unit
ed States and In the Senate who ought
to live in England NJ
Decided Opinions
Senators who did not speak, but who
discussed arbitration with the colleagues
ions on the extent 20 which this nation
has found itself to argue matters out
before the court. This attitude was con-
demned as one which was becoming mis-
Understood throughout the world and one
which had appeared 10 the countcy's dis
advantage in the Mexican problem, In the
dispute with Great Britain and in the
more recent constroversy with japan.
Many senator's were convinced tonight
that few of the % agreements which come
would be agreed TO without a hard fight.
Although the treaties probably have
many supporters, Chairman Bacon OF the
foreign relations comnttee was about the
only one who spoke In their benaf In
spite of his Endorsement of arbitration.
Mr. Bacon held the view that under the
British treaty the tolls questions must
be arbitrated and expressed entire SYM
pathy with the California land bill
Chamberlain Supported
Senator Chamberlain was the only MEM
Der to object to the British treaty yes
terday when II first came before the Sem
ate with the approval of the foreign re-
Iauons committee, but in tonight's ses-
sion there were lne senators behind
them. The Oregon senator contended that
there could be little question that under
the proposed agreement the tolls oues-
ton must be arbitrated. He pJinted To
1tterances of Sir Edward Gray the Brit
sh minister for foreign affairs, as COM
plete vindication of his position.
Senator O'Gorman, chairman of the in
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