ARBITRATION QUESTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2975, 22 March 1911, Page 38

ARBITRATION QUESTION

.—. —-«■ WASHINGTON, March 16. President Taft will probably submit to ' the December Congress a proposal for an unlimited arbitration treaty between Great Britain and the United States after an informal exchange of views between the two Governments. An informal exchange of views between the two Governments is taking place. WASHINGTON, March 17. The reception in Great Britain of Mr Taft's arbitration proposal deeply interests the people of the United States, and the general opinion seems favourable. The German sections of the community, however, do not welcome the project. NEW YORK, March 16. Divergent opinions are expressed regarding the passage in Sir E. Grey's speech which suggested that Mr Taft's proposal for an arbitration treaty would probably lea-d to a further agreement for mutual help in case one of the signatories had a quarrel with a third, who refused to submit the issue to arbitration. March 19. President Taft is delighted with the favourable reception in England of the Anglo-American arbitration proposals. He declares that he has every reason to hope that other nations will follow the lead of Britain, and that ultimately the result will be universal peace. LONDON, March 16. The Washington correspondent of The Times declares the latter suggestion to be academic, and a pious wish. Had it been less obviously so it would prejudice the transatlantic prospects of President Taft's original proposal. As the matter stands, the speech has tended to make the situation brighter. In the course of an interview Lordßeay said that an arbitration agreement between Great Britain and the United States would be a great advance and in the interests of the world's peace. It would I also lead to an important extension of the I principle of arbitration in international i disputes. He favoured Sir E. Grey's | suggestions. .Lrord Charles Bereisford, in an interview, said that the time had arrived for the English-speaking countries ta combine to prevent war. Peace was absolutely essential to us. March 17. . Answering Lord Winterton, Sir E. Grey informed the House that Japan was aware of Great Britain's willingness to enter into Mr Taft's suggestion in re an arbitration treaty. March 18. Sir E. Grey, who presided at the International Arbitration League's dinner, acknowledged the cordial sincerity 'underlying Mr Balfour's helpful words, and said he recognised that the Unionists had initiated arbitration treaties. He explained that he did not intend to convey the idea that a general arbitration treaty between two great nations would be tantamount to a defensive alliance, though if one became the object of attack under' the circumstances stated he should think there would be strong sympathy between the two Powers. That was a matter that was dependent on public opinion, but the introduction of such a condition into a treaty might impair its chances in Britain and elsewhere, and lead others to suppose that the treaty was aimed at them. This would completely spoil its possible effect in mitigating the expenditure on armaments. In the course of a speech Mr Ramsay MacDonald said he rejoiced at the arbitration aspirations, but they would do more harm than good if the opinion got abroad that there w r as going to be an Anglo-Saxon alliance imposing its will on the whole world. The Free Churches have arranged to make special references to the overtures between President Taft and Sir E. Grey with regard to arbitration in to-morrow's sermons. March 19. The Westminster Gazette publishes a letter, signed by eight bishops, in which they state they are hopeful of the proposed American. arbitration treaty. March 20. The newspapers, particularly the Liberal organs, give prominence to the American arbitration proposals. The Archbishop of York, speaking at Sheffield, declared that the statesmen of both parties bad issued a challenge to which Christians w ere bound to respond with a new conviction, energy, and concentration upon a further effort in the cause of peace. The Rev. Bernard Vaughan said it was painful and shameful that such treaties were necessary after 20 centuries of Christ's rule. He thanked God that England was setting a virile example, which other nations would be unable to neglect. The Rev. Dr Campbell, speaking in the City Temple, said tihiat civilisation would be unable to carry for long the burden which materialism and the mutual distrust of nations had imposed. The International Court of Arbitration should be extended to adjudicate upon every cause of national difference. This would necessitate international police,, to which each nation would have to contribute its quota. The Times' Paris correspondent reports that the arbitration scheme has been coldly received, France considering that Britain, by becoming closely identified with America, will be relieved of many

anxieties which made her value her French and Russian friendships. PARIS, March 19.

The Socialist leader M. James, writing in Humanite, says he is certain that arbitration between Great Britain and the United States will be adopted shortly, and that afterwards it will be changed into a defensive alliance. The progress of arbitration, he holds, is dne to the influence of an organised proletariat.