It does not follow that Mr. Taft means arbitration by
the Hague Tribunal. He explained subsequently that he had it in mind to submit the interpretation of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty to a Joint Commission such as settled the Alaskan boundary. In other words, arbitration would be by nationals instead of by a third party. While heartily welcoming Mr. Tait's statement, we must remember that he will very likely be out of office before the dispute can be settled. We must also remember that the Senate is instinctively and traditionally opposed to arbitration as an infringement of its supreme authority in foreign affairs, and that the Democrats as a party are mostly in favour of exempting American coastwise traffic from Canal tolls. All these facts may cause delay, but we are as certain as ever that the United States will ultimately agree to such a. solution of the difficulty as will enable us to preserve our trust in the unvarying American observance of the spirit of treaties.
Previous page
