THE PEACE TREATIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15717, 9 September 1911, Page 8

THE PEACE TREATIES.

Thk signing of the Anglo-American and Fratiuo-American treaties in New York last month was a momentous ceremony conducted, in a very simple fashion. Britain and Franco had made certain reservations in view of the fact that the treaties would, not Irecomo completed documents until they had been confirmed by tlie United States Senate, but it appeared that the two Powers had received reasonable assurances that they would not be subjected to an affront at the hands of the senators. Mr Bryce, tho British Ambassador, and the Vicomte St Phall, representing the French Ambassador, mot Mr Taft and Mr Knox, the Secretary of State, in the library of the White House at Washington. Some members of the United States Cabinet, three photographers and a score of newspaper men were also present. Tho great men chatted while secretaries arranged the treaties on a large table, and then Mr Bryce and Mr Knox sat down and signed duplicate parchments at the same moment, while the cameras clicked vigorously. Tho French treaty was signed by Mr Knox a minute later. Mr Taft took his place at the table and signed two messages transmitting the treaties to the Senate for ratification. The photographers took a few more pictures and the epoch-making gathering then dispersed. At the same hour a copy of the Franco-American treatywas' laid before M. Jules Jusseraud, tho French Ambassador to the United States, in Paris, where ho was spending a holiday. Mr Robert Bacon, who represents the United States in the French capital, saw the signature appended and took possession of tho document. Then Mr Bacon and M. Jusseraud, wlio had laboured together for weeks drafting the final text of tho treaty, announced to the reporters who, more diffident than their American brothers, were waiting outside, what had been done. Since that time the United States Senate, as far as can he gathered from a vaguely-worded cablegram published a few days age, has refused to confirm the treaties, but Mr Taft bns promised to renew his representations. At the worst tlie mero fact that the treaties were successfully negotiated by the diplomatists constitutes a big advance towards the goal of the world’s peace party.