New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-28
HARVARD PHI BETA KAPPA
MEETING OF AN ANCIENT COLLEGE So
GETTY.
rxMIN1sTER PHELPS ON INTERNATIONAL RE.
LATIoNs-TwENTY-FIv MEMBERS
FROM THE CLASS OF 1880.

EX'MINISTEH PHELPS ON lNIEhNAfioNHH 80
LATIoSs-TwENTYFIv MEMBERS
FROM THE CLASS OF $780,
tsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TkiBUsEl
Cambridge, June 27-The oldest collegiate asso-
ciston In America, tho Harvard Chapter OF the Ira
,crnity Of Phi Beta Kappa, held Its snnua EXERCISES
here to-day. At the business meeting In the morning
the following officers chosen: President ihomA
Wentworth Hgginson, of Cambridge Vioe-pos'e0h~
Professor W. W. Goodwin, OF Cambridge secretary
W. C. Lane: treasurer II. c. Denny. Besides twenty
Eve mon Of the highest rank In the graduating class
the following wore elected members: EDWARD .
Phelps. Alexander Young, LII. d., James j. futhsm'
NJ D., F. NJ Weld, NJ. D., president OF tho Now iorA
Harvard Club F. G. shattuck, General s. C. Armstrong
and John Durand. Following the business meoung
were the literary exercises In Sanders Theatre
The Hon. Edward J. Phelps was the orator OF the
occasion and after being introduced by President Hig
sinson announced as his subject international Re-
latonss He spoke In brief as follows:
International law obtains It's authority from the
sepsral consent Of mankind, and consists, hrst In me
application the Intercourse between nations OF the
principles of natural justice and morality, and second
In body Of conventional rules and
customs Lord Lytton's theory that gov
ernmcnts are not amenabie TO ethical
rules, and are guided only BY considerations OF e1
pedency, is erroneous and destructive of the peace
of the world, being contrary TO all that advancemena
Christianity and civilization have done for human so
ciey. International, like other law. derives Its
force from the principles Of moral Justice inherent In
the reason and cOnscences Of men. The magnitude
OF our foreign relations continually increasing with
our growth ard will, in the future, be one OF the
largest and most difficult functions Of the American
Government aiminlsao them. In view of this. the
time has como to adopt definite and permanent
policy In foreign relations; policy outside OF party
conflicts and that shall pass from Administration to
Administration and form a body OF customs and modes
OF procedure to be ALWAYS followed. Such q policy
should be Just but firm and unyicding. To enforce
this policy a strong navy is necessary. Disputes
with other nations must be settled In the last resort
upon the sea, where the United States Is compare
lively poweress strong naval force often serves
to keep the peace, which, once broken, Is hard to
mend. Naval strength is the right arm OF
diplomacy and country Is better abb to acquire
Il than ours with It's surplus, vast material resources
and mechanical genius. The United States ought,
further 10 send Ambass adors TO foreign naonsa and
not Ministers, who are the proper representatives only
OF second class governments. IL this were done. our
representatives would not occupy en- inferior position
in European courts, and q better class OF men would
also be Washington In place OF Inferior men.
only qualified 10 hold the position OF Minister Ohclal
residences and beftor pay should be given to our rep
rcsentatlvcs abroad 81,
A large and distinguished audience listened TO the
orator, and warmly appauded him.. The exercises
closed with the reading Of poem entitled The Cherry
Tree,' by Peciva Lowell recently from Japan Lator
In the day members Of the association 10 the number
OF COS attended dinner in Massachusetts Hall.