CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 12, 8 July 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

THE ARBITRATION AORT'F.MENT. In responding tn a toast at a banquet in London. Americas special ambassador Mr. Hammond, declared tlmt the dearest hope of the President of tlie United States was a solution of the supreme problem of universal pence. Iu initiatina and bringing to practical completion the arbitration treaty between the two Anglo-Saxon countries, Mr. Taft has done more for the preservation of peace than any living man, and the treaty will ever afterwards stand as a monument to las sagacity, prescience and humanitarianism. 'Apart from the direct ell'cet. the treaty will have upon tin? relations of the two nations, it. establishes a principle t hat must, exercise in future a profound influence throughout the civilised world. Already we see Germany anxious to participate in the agreement in so far as fierman-Amcrican relations are concerned. Again, we see Austria-Hungary, 'ltaly and Russia, joining forces to preserve peace in the' Ralkans. all agreeing to withhold support from any Balkan State seeking to reap advantage from the present situation. The latter agreement might have been reached if nothing had been proposed by the V nited States in the way of arbitration, but j.ist as likely"it may have been tlie direct outcome. The'pity is th-at Germany and Britain do not come to a similar agreement. With the Teutonic races agreed on preserving peace and submitting all

disputes to arbitration, a P'.uropcan wa of any magnitude would lie an impos sibility, and the nations would progros as they have never done before. Anna mcnts could at once be reduced and mil lions and millions of money now used o wasted 011 them would then be divertei to recuperative channels and to the bet torment of the conditions of the peoplf Germany is really the enemy of civilisa tion. Heretofore she has not listenei to Britain's overtures for limitation 0 armaments nor to the voice of the Ilagui Peace Congress to submit disputes t< arbitration. She believes in the policy of "the mailed fist," the Bismarckiai policy. In 110 way is that policy bettei illustrated tlian by the history of tin events which preceded Prussia's thrci great wars —with Denmark in 18(14, wit.l Austria in 1866, and with France in 1870 Then we have the policy exemplified bj Germany's action in connection with tin Algeciras agreement of 1!)(16 (when sh< threatened France with war), and agaii by her "stand and deliver" attitude tc Russia over the annexation of Bosnia Hertzegovina. in 1908. We see it, too in her latest act in Morocco, an act that is at the moment imperilling the peace of the world. Germany has not so fat attempted to rattle her scabbard" with Britain, but that she would have dearly loved to was clearly shown at the time oi the Jameson raid and the subsequent Boer war. The only thing that prevented her then and prevents her still is Britain's navv, but it will not be Germany's fault if in the near future she is not in a position to bully and attack Britain as she has bullied and attacked other nations that have stood in the way of the attainment of her ambition. If the arbitration treaty between the United States and Britain were extended later in the direction-of providing a defensive alliance, Germany would for ever be kept in her place.

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN AGREEMENT.

The text of the treaty between the j United States and Britain shows how far-reaching the effects really are. The preamble contains the following expression of the desire to avoid war: The Governments of the United States artd Great Britain finding it advisable and humane to settle all differences which may arise in the future without resort to force in order to preserve order and peace in conformity with existing arbitration treaties and understandings, hereby agree to consider and enforce a settlement of all questions involving the vital interests, independence, and honor by the two high contracting parties by means of arbitration and peace, under such conditions, and for such a period of time, as shall hereinafter be fixed. The first section provides that all differences that cannot be settled by diplomacy shall be referred to the Hague Court of Arbitration. This clause is qualified, however, to exclude from its operations matters that affect the "vital interest, independence, or honor of the two countries," and matters that concern the interests of third parties. When diplomacy fails the matter in dispute ''shall be held in abeyance under continued amicable relations," while the representatives of the two countries are being selected to reach i-a settlement through the Hague tribunal. Section 4 contains a highly important clause. It runs as follows: "During the operation of this treaty the United States on the one side and Great Britain on the other consent not to become parties to any convention, treaty, understanding, or alliance with any Power or Powers except by consent of the other." Disputes which go to arbitration are to be put before the court by plenipotentiary commissions. The British commission shall be appointed by the King, and the United States commission by the President. Both appointments shall be subject to the confirmation of the respective Governments, which shall ratify the sittings and findings of the High Arbitration Commissions. Section !) ordains that ''it is agreed that all differences not affectine the vital interests, independence, and honor of either of the two contracting States shall he submitted to the Perma" nent Court of Arbitration, in accordance with the existing arbitration treaties not superseded by this agreement, and that the two Governments will observe Hie stipulations of such treaties as niav concern the subject in dispute." Sections 10 and 11 have far-reaching effects with regard to the framing of arbitration treaties with other countries, and as to the duration and termination of the Anglo-American treaty in particular. They are as follows:—"Section 10-Both the high contracting parties are at liberty to agree to arbitration treaties under these terms with any other Governments, in which case both the high contracting parties shall be bound to the new treaty. Section 11—The present treaty shall go into effect immediately upon the signing in duplicate, and it shall remain in operation for an indeterminate period, although it may be terminated at the end of every fifth'year from the date of signing ' upon ' sixmonths' notice from the Government desiring to withdraw." Speaking at Baltimore, President Taft, referring to this treaty, said it would not end war, but would be a step in that direction. ' \rbitration treaties were simply steps "towards universal peace, which would be followed by other steps, the necessity for which would develop after the arbitration compacts became effective.