FRANCO-AMERICAN AMITY

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1928, Page 7

FRANCO-AMERICAN AMITY

NEW TREATY TO BE SIGNED AGREEMENT ON ARBITRATION ANCIENT PACT RENEWED » , By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright. Received Feb. 6, 9.15 p.m. A. and N.Z. . Washington, Feb. 5. To-morrow the French Ambassador and the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Olds, will sign the new Franeo-Anierican Arbitration Treaty, marking the 150th anniversary of the original Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the two countries. The 1778 preamble of the treaty states: “It is desired of the two countries always to settle their differences by peaceful means.” Questions involving France’s obligation under the League of Nations, those affecting the Monroe Doctrine and; those of a purely domestic character are exempted from arbitration. When America commenced negotiations for the renewal of the treaty with France, she submitted the proposal for the outlawry of war as an enlargement of the arbitration treaty which is now to be renewed. It was reported that the pro-posed treaty contained the following main provisions That France and the United States will engage to submit all differences to arbitration by means of an international commission of arbitration. That difference of a juridical nature be submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice of the Hague, or other tribunal mutually agreed upon, under the reservation that the Senate approves and it is compatible with the constitutional laws of France. That arbitration will not be applicable in the following three instances: —Questions concerning interior politics; to any international complication involving a third nation; and to problems to which ..the Monroe Doctrine applies. It was believed that Mr. Kellog laid stress on the point that the pact should not be unilateral, but should be one to which other great Powers should feel free to affix their signatures. Although the French reply was friendly in tone, M. Briand informed Mr. Keliog in the first instance that France could not subscribe to a pact outlawing all wars. The no-more-war proposal has not yet reached any definite conclusion, but the two countries have agreed to renew the original arbitration treaty with the reservation mentioned in today’s cable.