New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-30
4 CODE OF INTERNATIONAL LAT.

A CODE OF INTERNATIONAL LAT.
ITS PRACTCABuITY A CONFERENCE AT COOPER
USIoN-vIEws OF PRESIDENT wooLsEY AND DRs
MILES, osGooD AND CROSBY.
In response to an invitation sent out by the Rev.
Dr. James b. Miles, Secretary Of the organization known
as the United States International Code Committee"
a number OF gentlemen prominently known In this city
ASSENT In Room No. a. Cooper Union. last evening
at a conference the subject OF the codincauon OF IN
ternationa law, basis OF arbitration in cases OF DIS
pute between nations. Among those who were present
were President Woolsey the Rev. Drs. Howard Crosby
Prime, osgood and Roswell d. Hitchcock, President
Barnard of Columbia College, Peter Cooper. Dudley
Field Abrsm s. Hewitt Mason Youngand Mr.. latham
Dr. Woosey asked TO act as Chairman OF the meet
ing, and Mason Young and Col sprague
were named Secretaries. Letters OF regret
at their inability 10 be present from Chancellor Pfuyn'
Judge G. W Warren. of Boston and Cyrus Field were
read and then Dr. Miles. the Secretary OF the Commit
tee gave little narrative report OF the results Of
his mission IN the United States and in Transatlantic
in the urherance Of this great movement to
secure arbitration and other peaceful methods for the set
Element OF the differences OF nations, which was success
fully opened at Brussels in october last He referred
TO the time less than years ago when he was asked
to 90 abroad with proposition which had been pre-
pared in America and been warmly favored by leading
authorities in international law and prominent states
men, and submit IL TO the intelligent minds OF other
countries. He went abroad uniformed as 10 the
reception OF such proposition and rather expecting
coldness-at least England found himself
fayorably received and lie added that many had been
already convinced OF the practcabty of settling in
peaceful way very complicated and aggravated difficult
ties arising between nations. The Speaker described
the meeting Brussels at which there were thirty
forty leading gentlemen from different countries The
Inc nrst great ques
submitted the practicabnity OF codyiug the
international law, and after discussion lasting through
three sessions the Conference declared that no means
should be neglected for the preparation and adoption OF
an international code The other great question was
that Of arbitration and the result Of the discussion on
that was the adoption OF resolution, drawn up by the
Right Hon Montague Barnard, OF England, which is
subjoned, II out OF the practical resus OF last
nights Conference:
Tbs Conference declares that regards arbitration
international differences settled by II
] Hrrabe fa believe. The EXCEPTIONS are rare and it
Of all pscse methods Of accommodation.
Dr Miles said that 1t was also resolved at that Con-
ference TO organize for annual meetings. The next
meeting would take place Aug 81 at Geneva In
conclusion he said it seemed hun that the movement
gave great hope Of success Az gentleman IN France
said 1t is the great and imperative demand OF the
age the time has for feeling that law TO be sub
stituted hereafter in place OF war"
President woolsey mentioned that at the meeting at
arbitration, the question of international private law,
and he OF the Interpretation OF the three rules
agreed upon between the British Government aud the
United States in the Treaty of Washington. The ques
ton much agitated whether Governments
would undertake this matter or private ct-
zens, and II was considered that the govern
ments we're unwilling to take the lead but very
glad to have private citizens do so. DR. WoOlsey said
thar was a very important fact to be known DR.. Miles
added that Gen. scGTnck tod him that II the British
Government took the lead unworthy motives wo1id he
imputed; that, OF neither Germany France
could do 10 Just now and that. therefore uDquestOn
ABLY the only way for private citizens. BY aud by
he suggested. the Governments would probably be able
TO aid peeuniari!y IN carrying for ward the work.
Dr. Osgood said it seemed TO MIN the fret thing to do
was TO maze the IDEA wen known, 10 discover what
forces could be brought into the field IN the face OF this
"buylsm of nations created by the CONSCIOUSNESS OF
great strength and resources Ho beheyed the press
could be brought to take mold OF this matter than
had ever done The press vas assuming gigantic pro-
portions. and the ethical element coming into it,
Our friends Of Boston SAID he have been paying their
tribute to Charles Sumner What does the OF Sum
ner meant He was not very wonderful genius, not
eloquent many persons are, but tins distinguished
erfu in his thinking and his uteranee owes his influence
to the fact that he undertook 10 lift legislation TO the
level OF ethical prime and We ought TO encourage all
DE- Miles added pcrtinenty here that there would be
great disappointment felt all over Europe II the Auer
can Congress adjourned without expression this
sugeet vi International Jaw M slmner had prepared
resolutions ana Intended present them
and he Thought the moral effect produced the passage
OF some such expression would DO very great
Europe.
DR.. Crosby said BREEZY that where there was a will
there waSa way. IHere were two stages in the
menJ-one was the stage OF excitement OF the public
MUD the other, the stage OF codfcaton Of the laws
Nothing could be done until the puzzle opinion on both
sides OF the ocean was ripe for action IL appeared 10
him that America already prepared for action and
the field where the agitation OF the public mind was
10 be carried in Europe, where there was eth
maUy national complications and Ion spending anmOsi-
ties Tue need OF the time therefore, to keep tho
American mind fully aroused 70 the necessity OF ex-
pressing tuer sentiments through Congress aud pubic
meetings, and TO let Europe understand that America
ready for the Accomplishment OF the great WORK. and
great efforts TO further the great Cause
European soil!
Before the meeting adjourned DR.. OsgoOd offered for
adoption the Of the Conference the resolution
OF Montague Bernard presented at the Brussels meet
ing, and referred TO above IL was Unanimously passed
but the vote recOnsidered IN order 10 strike out
from the body OF II the passage IL abstiins from al
rmtng that IN all without exception this mode OF
solution II applicable but II believes the exceptions are
rare" rnis done 10 make the resolutions stronger
both d. Prime and DR. OsgoOd observing that 10 hardly
came up TO the mark according 10 the American hot
blood. Dr.. Prime offered the following which
adopted:
1hst the this meeting that emisesy defab that
The Congress Of The Unei States o.
IN harmony With b rsouOu and thai Dt
Mics be requested 10 vat Washington viii u fe.ng Tot
uon Of Congress on tbs resolution