Permanent Arbitration Treaty

Abstract

In the latest message of the President to Congress, in addition to the information that a definite and final settlement of the controversy over the Venezuelan boundary has been reached, the fact has been made public that "negotiations for a treaty of general arbitration for all differences between Great Britain and the United States are far advanced, and promise to reach a successful consummation at an early date." It still remains unknown to the public what are the details of the proposed treaty, or whether it is in contemplation to establish a permanent arbitration tribunal, or merely to agree to arbitrate in all cases of disagreement. Probably in either case, in spite of the fact that the President speaks of ''all differences,'' the treaty will be found to contain certain reservations,as there is a substantial consensus of opinion that cases do sometimes arise in which arbitration between independent nations is inadmissible.