The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-11-30
TREATY MAKING,
DELICATE TASK.
Coming Session Of Congress VIII be
Occupied Several Weeks With
This Sort Of
Work.
DOZEN AWAIT ACTION
Colombian Treaty. which Bryan Was
..s % Eager TO Have Adopted.
VIII BE L.
nored.
limited Press Correspondencel

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Nov. 81
Treaty making, the most delicate and
difficult of diplomatic tasks, is today
a stupendous field facing the state de-
parement and the q. 8. senate Uncle
Sans family affairs In the interna-
tional family Of nations promises to
engross public attention for many
months. Foreign relations Of this
country, it is admitted. will occupy
many weeks before tho senate dur
ing the coming session of congress.
Foreign affairs, 1t Is conceded. Win
take only second place to national de-
Tense in congress business program.
A dozen treaties, Il not more, await
the action OF the senate. The state
department Is negotiating others,
which may be ready for congress
when 1t meets. In addition, diplomatic
negotiations and International dis
putes due to the war may result in
still others. Ratification by the SEN
ate Is necessary to make them bind
Ing upon the United States or effec-
tive with the signatory nations.
AZ unfinished business, left over
from the last session of congress, the
Colombian and Nicaraguan treaties
probably will be taken up immediate
" by the senate early In December.
Both have met and are expected to
meet strenuous opposition.
The Colombian treaty, proposed by
former Secretary Of State Bryan,
proposes payment to Colombia of
$50, 100000 as compensation Tor her
loss of Panama when this government
was involved In the Panama revolu-
ton, which ultimately gave the Unit
ed States the Panama canal zone.
The Nicaraguan treaty proposes
payment of 100000 in exchange
for an exclusive grant to the United
States the right to use the NicarAgu-
An route for canal purposes.
General opinion here is that the
Nicaraguan treaty probably will be
ratified, but that there IL grave doubt
regarding the Colombia treaty. 1t IS
limited in official circles. that MI
Bryan was personally insistent upon
the Colombia treaty and with him out
of the cabinet the administration may
mot SO vigorously insist upon its ratt
dcation.
Also pending for dnal conclusion
are the so-called Bryan peace treaties
with Germany and Austria. The tsu
tonic allies have never ratified these
conventions although approving thsiz
principle.
Settlement Of the fisheries bound
airy waters in dispute with Canada By
treaty is another serious diplomatic
problem pending. This treaty would
az rights of Canadian and American
fishermen In boundary waters, affect
ing principally commercial fishermen
| along the Great Lakes and IN New
England. This treaty also failed o.
ratification at the last session OF con
| gress.
Another dispute with Canada to be
! settled by treaty Is to regulate com
mercial power site uses OF Niagars
! Falls.
( negotiated and had commission
working, also with New York state
to preserve the Falls and yet permi
use Of its waters to generate sisctri
cal power. - -.
| Operation OF the La Toilette SEA
mems law Is also expected to result
in more treaty making. Over scor'
| NJ treaties bearing upon life saving
labor and other shipping conditions
are affected by the new law.
The postmaster general ID negotiat
ing q number of new postal conven
/ tons, reducing postage and parce
most rates, principally with L@tii
American countries. -,
! other Pan American treaties VIII
! south and Central American coun
tries to extend commercial relations
ara under consideration.
1 -glH II a tl