New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-02
INTERNATIONAL LAW.

HE CONFERENCE Al LIE HApbL'
PROGRESS OF THE ASSOCIATION 10 RHoEA AND
CODIFY THE LAW or NATIoNs-AhEkCANs
PROMINENT AT THE coEFERENCE-AR BITRArIoN
CoMNENDED--sTANDING ARMIES DEFENDED By
A GERMAN JURIsT-LoRD PENZANCE ELECTED
PREsIDENT-LIBERAL HOSPITALITY OF THE
DUTCH.
fFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNb'l
The HAGUE. Sept. 9.-The conference of the " As
ISOLATION for the Reform and COdifcaton Of the
Law of Natons' terminated ts sttings on Saturday
last. 1t received large share of public attention.
which is due in part to the men whose names
appear as honorary Vce-Presidenis, Vice-Presdents
or Members of Council and in part to the extremely
important questions which were discussed. The
sessions were well attended, those present being
pretty equally divided into jursts the one side aud
political economists and perhaps philanthroplss on
the other. As a rule throughout the pro-
ceedings, the former stood firmly to ques-
lions within the sphere of private interna-
tlonal law voting steadily against any restrictions
which might carry the meeting on to the danger
Gus ground of political controversy. The latter
devoted themselves to questions Of public lnterna-
tonal law. feeling Of regret appeared TO prevail
among the members that America should have been
so much governed by the philanthroplc element,
while America above all other countries Is CONNER
cia and the people practical even to a tauIt De-
spite Of this mishap if it may be so called the Amer
lean element played an important part IN what nap
pened II will be remembered that this Association
originated IN America. The American lnternauohai
Code Committee issued in May, 1873 invitations to
European ursts and others TO meet at Brussels anu
discuss the propriety of forming a society for deb-
Grating ON international law. The Code Committee
includes many Of the first men Of the United States
such as President Woolsey, Reverdy johnson, and
Charles F. Adams. In October Of that year the
American delegates, Mr.. David Dudley Field, Dr. ).
B. Miles. Judge Peabody, Mr. Lawrence, and Others
met the European representatives. at Brussels, the
result of the meeting being the formation OF the
present Association. In September, last year. the
second annual conference was held NJ Geneva.
have thus summarized the progress OF the Assocla-
ton in order that its present position may be under
stood.
By the special invitation Of the people of the
Hague who had formed powerful local committee
the Council determined early in the year to call the
next a. ual meeting at that place. The prepara-
tions made at that town for the reception Of the
members was quito exceptional. The Ministry
actually authorized a subsidy of n 900 to detray
the heavy expenses which attend all receptions; aud
well and properly did the local committee employ
this. On tine 1st of September everything was IN
readiness. and nj IL a. IN. the local committee pre-
sided over by J. p. Bredins, the well-known member
Of the House of Deputies received the guests at tue
new building called the Hotel lies Arts 20 sciences
After the inaugural speech by NJ. Bredlns and reply
bv Mr.. Field. as the President of the Association
the members adjourned to meet again at the spacious
building situated in the Binnenhof, the Tweede
Komer. or House of Commons of the Netherlands
which. with exceptional kindness the House of
DEPUTIES. upon the motion of NJ. Bredins, had
placed at the disposal of the Association
AT . o'clock on the same afternoon the
members assembled in considerable strength,
the following countries being represented ::
Austria Belgium, Denmark France, Germany, En-
gland Italy, Russia, Spain, sweden, the United
States and of course Holland. Several OF the
British colonies also represented. Numerically
the English and American elements predominated
After the formal business had been concluded, the
secretaries submitted the reports, and first that OF
the General Council. The latter report reviews the
progress of the Association and states that with the
moderate outlay of about $4,000 year, exclusive
of publishing fund, the Society would continue us
work Ii is suggested that central Office be estaD-
lishcd in London and that each country should form
local self-suppOrtng committees. This indeed ap-
pears to be tine most feasible method Of continuing
the Association. each local committee contributing
toward the expenses of the central office
The Secretary was understood to say that means
would have TO be provided, and that the European
members numbered about 200. The other reports
were those of the General Secretary, Dr. Miles, and
of the Committees on Bills of Exchange and Col
lisions at Sea. The last two referred to com
mittee to report on the Friday following:
Next day the discussion was opened by the read
ing of paper by II. Richard, VI. p, the well known
leader of the powerful peace party in England This
paper is entitled q" On the Limits Of Arbitration"
In substance the writer maintained that no limits
can be prescribed 10 the employment of arbitration.
An armed host will not yield it true TO reason,
relinauish what has been gained but with some
acumcn he pointed out that the refusal on the part
of a wrong-doer to submit to the decision of court
of arbitrator. or any court having jurisdiction,
was no argument against the employment of a
tribunal The speaker further urged, that the i'm
perfection of such a tribunal was likewise no
answer to its usefulness for anyhow arbitration
was an alternative between war, and war meant
butchery After very animated discussion the
meeting voted the following resolution:
That this Association reiOces in the fact that many
national Legislators have already by distinct vote sane
toned the principle OF ar9tatlon rs means OF stllng
international disputes, and hopes that the example will
he followed by other Legislatures, because the rec0gn-
0n 0f tis principle by the representative as-el.les
which egtmately express the opinion OF hatlons hHOrt5
"A facility and imposes obligation on me Governments
10 nave recourse this mode Of adjusting their differ
cuces This further expresses rs cordial
satisfaction that So many OF dispute arisen between
Governments have been especially Of late, dspOs ID OF
BY this form OF pcaceable reference.
INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNALS
That arbitration is desirable no one attempts even
10 deny but whether, under the present crcum-
stances Of Europe the Use of arbitration is possible
I greatly doubt. Admitting, however, its practical
bilitv the second question arises-hOw to constitute
an international tribunal. Perhaps the ingenious
suggestion Of Mr. Sprague United States, of having
a voluntary court of reference, the arbtratOrs to be
nominated by the disputants, with appeal 70 a SUI
preme court composed of delegates from different