Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-02-19

are thus involved how shall the difficulty
be adjusteds The first and most obvious
answer to this question is that they should
try to settle the matter in dispute by
peaceful negotiation. If this be success
ful, 1t is the end of the whole question
and generally it will be successful, pro.
vided the parties exercise forbearance
toward each other, courteously discuss
| their differences, and really seek to settle
them. Good sense and good temper will
| usually end in treaty. If, however,
this result fail, then nothing is left but
arbitration or war. Which shall it be :
"The Association for the Reform and
Codification of the Law of Nations" seek
to make arbitration, and not war, the in
ternationalrulef for disposing ofsuch acase.
1t is proposed that substantially what
transpired between Great Britain and the
United States in the amicable settlement
part of the law of nations. The "two
Governments, after having exhausted to
no purpose the resources of diplomacy,
agreed by specific treaty-the Treaty OF
Westinghouse refer the whole subject
to court of arbitration, and then to abide
by its decision. This is conspicuous
example of peaceful arbitration adopted
by two of the strongest nations of the
earth, neither of which had any special
reason to fear the other in the event of a
resort to the sword. 1t reflects great
honor upon both nations, as well as upon
the Administrations that initiated the
process and carried 1t to successful is
sue. Let the principle embodied in this
example become the general practice Of
nations, and that will be the end of war.
Mr.. David Dudley Field, an eminent
lawyer of this country, who deserves the
highest honor as an enthusiastic apostle
OF this principle, has made draft of an
international code, extending to seven
hundred and two sections, and covering
the whole field Of international public
and private law. His propositions in re-
spect to the adjustment of national diff
culties are the following; l. That every
nation supposing itself to have ground
of complaint against another shall give
formal notice of the cause or causes of
such complaint, as well as of the redress
it seeks. 2. That VIXEN, after such no.
tice, the two nations find themselves un-
able to agree as TO the matter in dispute
they shall appoint joint high commits
sion, whose business shall be, if possible,
to reconcile them, and in this way term.
mate the dispute. 3. That, in the event
of failure, the question shall be refer
red TO high tribunal of arbitration, con.
sisting Of seven persons, appointed in a
specific way, whose decision shall be
final a. That the nations that are parties
to code embracing these principles
shall bind themselves TO see to ii that
each nation thus party shall not resort
to war with any other party accepting the
code, but shall in all cases comply with
its provisions for the preservation OF
peace
Nothing is clearer than that the end
| aimed at is one that ought to be persistent
ly sought. 1t is too grand, too important,
| and too Christian TO be treated as simply
Utopian. The movement, in seeking the
end, as Count Sclopis, one of the Geneva
| arbitrators, has well said, will make the
voice of public opinion ring in
| the ears OF the governments, and so ere.
| ate what Montesquieu terms common
feeling. This will result in their decid.
ing to do something positive" This
"common feeling" that strips war of its
Fictitious and false glory and invests
peace with its proper honor, il precisely
what is wanted in order TO put an end tc
war. And whoever believes in the power
of moral causes especially when they arr
energiZed by Christian influences, will
hardly think il Utopian TO make an effort
for the creation of such feeling, even il
1t should take century TO win the vic.
tory.--N y. Independent.