ARBITRATION TREATIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 81, 25 May 1911, Page 5

ARBITRATION TREATIES.

JAPAN FAVOURABLE. (Received 25, 11.10 a.m.) Tokio, May 24. It is officially stated that Japan is prepared to participate in negotiations for a general arbitration treaty with the United (States.

SPEECH BY SIR E. GREY

(Received 25, 8.5 a.m.) Loiulon, May 24. Lord Roberts presided at the Pilgrims’ banoyet to the Overseas Premiers at the Savoy. Sir Edward Grey dwelt in enthusiastic tones on tile proposed AngloAmerican arbitration treaty, and said the success of such a treaty must_ depend on the absence of any possibility of conflict of national policies between the two parties thereto. This condition was assured. Secondly, there must lie between the two Governments confidence in each other’s reasonableness and goodwill. The history of the last few years showed that reasonableness and goodwill were characteristic of all negotiations between them. “If,” he said, “it is true that the proposed treaty merely seals the satisfactory state of things already existing, let ns seal it; if not, let it lie. People in other countries were asking whether they,' too, would not do likewise. This would lead to the sifting of weighty causes of difference between nations, and with progressively favourable results.” In concluding the speaker added;—“Wo rejoice if Mr. Taft’s initiative leads directly, or indirectly, to beneficial consequences to others.” Sir W. Laurier and Sir J. G. Ward responded for the Premiers.