New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-21
vopIx rrrECT or ARBITRATION.

uORIL EFFECT or ARBITRATION
The moral effect of the adoption of the ar
bitraton scheme by the Pan-American Con-
ference will be felt at once in Europe. NO
more striking contrast is offered by contempt
1aneous history than is afforded by the anna
ments and standing armies OF the Old World
and the new gospel of peace proclaimed at
Washington. Europe is circle of camps with
millions OF soldiers under arms and the air
electric with suspicion. In the Western Henri
sphere every republican nationality is moral
". if not formally, committed, by the action
of the delegates at the Conference. to the pol
lev of compulsory arbitration as substitute
for war; European civilization can devise no
better expedient for averting hostilites than
weight of ornaments and preparations for war
ON so stupendous a scale that every nation
shrnks back in horror and dismay from the
prospect of the impending catastrophe. Amen-
can civilization not only reduces standing
armies to the lowest point of efficiency COM
patible with National safety, but also proposes
arbitration as a system to be sanctioned in adj
vance by international compact and, further
more. discredits wars of conquest in tho follow
ing principles of action adopted by the dele
gates to the Conference with cheers and ac-
Carnations:
First-That the principle of conquest shall not,
during the continuance Of the treaty. be recognized as
admissible under American public law.
second-That all ccssions OF territory made during
the continuance Of the Treaty Of Arbitration shall be
void If made under threats Of the presence OF
armed force.
Third-Any nation from which such ccssions shall
be cxactcd may demand that the validity Of the ces-
sions made shall be submitted to arbitration.
Fourth-Any remuneration Of the right OF arbitration
made under the conditions named in the second section
shalt lie null and void. Those conditions arc under
threats Of war or the presence OF armed force.
Only one delegation alstaincd from voting
on these rcsOlutonS-that representing Chill.
The leticence Of that delegation was natural,
since that is the only American nation which
in recent years has profted by conqucsts OF
territory made during a most devastating war.
All the other delegations heartily united in
condcmning the principle of compassionate lust
for foreign territory-which is the chief tempta-
ton that assails warlile and ambitious nations.
From the united action of the other American
republics Chill itself will not be likely to dis
sent whenever its Government may be asked
to join in the ratification of a continental com
pact of arbitration. Its conquestS from Bolivia
and Peru are secure, and the energy and enter
PRISE OF us patl1Ouc pOpuId'loh dlc HON H"N4"5
adequate occupation in commercial and indus
trial activity. There are the strongest reasons
for believing that the negotiation OF an ar
bihation treaty On the bases proposed by the
Congress may be speedily effected, and every
| Government on the continent committed pos
itively to this policy Of universal peace.
! SO impressive n spectacle as the adjournment
of this Peace Congress after the successful
close of its labOrs will not be without IFS cd
ucational influence abroad. it is an object
| lesson for the military camps Of Europe. Eng
| land. which has repeatedly refused to submit
! its contentious with Venezuela to arbitration,
can hardly fail to do 50 when solicitations are
renewed by the Government at Caracas. 1t
cannot sullcnly stand ont against the moral
forces of public opinion on the American Con-
tinent The submission Of that boundary dis
pute to international arbitrators will be, it may
not be premature 10 forecast one of the earliest
effects Of the American peace policy. England
and the United States in the fulncss OF time
are certain 70 adopt the same basis Of action
The European barbarism OF ornaments. stand
ing armies and wars of conquest IS opposed 10
the genius of civilizations The stars in their
courses are fighting for peace.