ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5769, 13 January 1897, Page 3

ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES.

THE ARBITRATION TRIE ATT SIGNED. THE ALASKA BOUNDARY QUESTION. [Pbb Presb Association.! WASHINGTON, Jan. 12. The General Treaty o£ Arbitration between Great Britain and the United States, wliich was recently drawn up between Sir Julian Pauncef'ote, British Ambassador afc Washington, md the Hon Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, was formally signed yesterday. President Cleveland, in a letter to the Senate, recommends the adoption of the treaty, as it represents concessions l.y each party and ia a lont^ -step in the right direction, as it embodies the practical working of a plan of arbitration. He admits that some of the features are merely of a tentative character, but looks forward to a further advance, and points out that the treaty has made war between America and Englaud a Very remote possibility. It will completely preclude fears of war and rumours of. war, which often are disastrous in their effects. The President hopes that the ultimate benefits of the treaty are not likely to be limited to America and England, and says tbat an example has been set which he hopes will be eagerly imitated by other nations . The successful operation of the treaty should certainly tend to induce other nations to adopt the principle, thus marking a new epoch iv civilisation. Arrangements have been made for a settlement of the Alaska boundary question— which covers the dispute ! over the Behring Sea fisheries — outside the terms of the new AngloAmerican arbitration treaty. The United States Government has prohibited Embassies and Miuisters from making political speeches. This is regarded as an indirect rebuke to Mr Bayard, American Ambassador in London, who made several noteworthy speeches during the recent troubles in which the United States were concerned.