The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-04
SENATE FAVoRS PEACE PACT.
VOTES TO REPORT FAVORABLY
TREATIES DESIGNED TO
PREVENT WAR.
Decision to support Agreements and
Wilson's Earnest ExhOrtatiOns
Likely to Have Effect OH Senate
and Secure Advance of Peace.

Washington, Jan. 30.-Responding
promptly to President Wilson's ap-
peal, made at the White House con-
ference last Monday night, the senate
committee on foreign relations today
ordered favorable reports on a large
number of arbitration treaties be-
tween the United States and the
leading countries OF the world. These
were laid before the senate later in
executive session and will come up for
ratification in the near future.
This action will rehabilitate the ex-
tensive structure of arbitration which
gradually had been falling to pieces
by the expiration Of the time limit of
one treaty after another until all
either had expired or were about to
expire. While the treaties are yet to
be ratified favorable action of the
committee and the strong incentive
given by the presidents appeal
promise to lead to early and favor
able action.
The far-reaching character of this
group OF treaties is shown by the long
list of first rate powers with which
they are made. including most of the
great powers OF Europe, South Amer
lea and the Orient. On the list are
Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Spain,
Norway. Sweden, Portugal, Switzer-
land and France. Similar treaties
which will expire within a year or
two exist with the Netherlands, Den
mark, China, Austria Hungary, Peru,
Salvador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Haiti,
Ecuador. Brazil and Uruguay. An
other treaty Of the same kind with
Mexico expired last June and was
not renewed.
The senate committee today con-
sidered those Of the treaties soon to
expire and agreed. inasmuch as they
are Identical with the eight recon-
mended for extension, that they
should be approved for extension as
rapidly as they expire.
Aside from the importance Of these
treaties in the cause Of arbitration
some have a large significance in af-
fecting political and international re-
"a hot fxua no Jvv,ix a
other countries. 1t is understood to
have been the purpose of President
Wilson and Secretary Bryan in urg-
ing prompt ratification. to establish a
pacific bulwark further to lessen the
possibility of complications on any Of
the existing foreign problems.
All the treaties acted on today are
virtually identical and provide for a
limited arbitration of questions which
can not be adjusted by diplomacy
This group OF limited arbitration
treaties Is entirely distinct from the
other arbitration plan proposed by
Secretary Bryan. The limited
treaties are the first realization of
plans begun at The aHgue
They are recognized as
only the first step towards averting
war. IA they are limited in scope to
questions not involving nationality or
The Taft administration went a step
further by framing arbitration treaties
and by enlarging the scope OF all
questions OF dispute between ma
tions, but these conventions remained
unratifed.
MIR. Bryan has gone step still
further in the march of arbitration,
i'm the proposal of April "a. last. that
all questions of whatever character
and nature, shall. when diplomatic
efforts fail. "be submitted to an inter-
national committee, the contracting
nations agreeing mot to declare war
or begin hostilities until such inves-
tigation is made and report sub
mitted."
Mr.. Bryan's plan has been accept
ed i'm principle by 29 nations, and
seven treaties actually have been
signed. The senate has not yet acted
on them, and the action taken today
related entirely to the original group
providing broadly for limited arbitra-
tion.