Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1896 — GREAT PEACE TREATY. [ARTICLE]

GREAT PEACE TREATY.

Permanent Court of Arbitration for Anglo-American Affairs. The negotiations between the United States and Great Britain for a treaty of general arbitration, covering all subjects of difference between the two Englishspeaking nations, present and prospective, has advanced to a stage of completeness far beyond that which the public has had reason to expect. The purpose of Secretary Olney and Sir Julian Pauneefote is to conclude the negotiations within the next three weeks. All the substantial features of the treaty have been agreed on, and from the present status of the negotiations it is believed the following will be the important terms of the treaty: “1. A term of five years from the date of the exchange of ratification within which the treaty shall be operative. “2. A court of arbitration of six members, three to be drawn from the judiciary of the UKited States and three from the judiciary of Great Britain. “3. The submission to this tribunal of all differences between the two nations, now pending or to arise within the period of five years, this not to include the Behring'Sea question or the Venezuela question, now before independent commissions, but to include the question of the boundary between Alaska and British North America.” The completion of this treaty will mark an important epoch in the relations between the two English-speaking nations, and in the judgment of those who have been most identified with its consummation it will be the most important document of a peaceful character in the history of their mutual dealings. The President made passing reference to the subject in his recent message, and the negotiations have proceeded with surprising unanimity, so that those engaged in the work confidently believe that it will be fully agreed upon, and the signatures of the contracting persons placed to the documents within the period named. Aside from the previously referred-to points it can be stated in a general way that the terms of the treaty and such as to “clear the board” of all the vexatious questions which have arisen between the United States and Great Britain. These have been numerous in recent years, and

some of them have threatened serious consequences.