New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-11
JyrEEvATIONAL AELIrElTiON.

The pan-A American Conference has adopted
= practical method of Carrying nscrnatonal
arbitration into effect. i has rcO,mcndcd
tho nccotjation of general treaty hy TI the
rounblics on this continent for the settlement
If disputes and contentious that may arise be-
tween any two Of them in the future. This Is
,hc only method by which arbitration tribunals
can bc established. The delegates 10 the Con
ference have 80 authority 10 commit their toy
crnmcuts 10 any international measures. lh'i
functions are purely advisory. They can unli"
in recommendations on thi, subject. ana can
p,oposo a practical scheme for the appointment
Of arhitrat0rs and the settlement oi disputes
between nations: but the Governments them
selves must join in diplomatic convention
before the system can bc carried ont Tho
unanimou, action of the Conference IN favor
Of arbitration and the negotiation of treaty
is an earnest OF a speedy c0n>nmmauon oil TINS
Great work What a magnificent result ol
American diplomacy the negotiation "i such
= treaty will be, How s'upcndOus gam Tor
modern civilization the adoption of compulsory
arbitration a, a means OF a,crting war will lr
The Committee ON General Welfare provides
= LIST Of all questions in which arbitration shall
lc made compulsory by treaty. Ihi, includes
matter, OF diplomatic etiquette" territories.
boundaries. questions of navigation, the en-
forcomonf construction or validity OF treaties
and contention, arising from any cause what
ever. No definition could be mono compre-
hcn.ivc. Every probable cause OF war j. IN
cludcd in this category. llosiiii"' ordinarily
mise between nations in consequence" oil honn-
Diary disputes and questions relating 70 cNlsiinS
treaties. Arbitration is to be- made compulsory
not only in these instances, but IN almost every
conceivable case. The war between 'hlll ana
Peru would nave been prevented il thoS" ma
,ions and Bolivia had been under moral oblisa-
,ions 10 submit their grievances to arbitration.
The disastrous campaign in when failSuaN
was overwhelmed with disaster and rum WOULD
mayer have been fought II IN international
arbitration agreement had been in existence.
Irdood there has not been a war in Central or
south Amcrica since the revolt against spain
-ci,;I strife being cAccptcd-Vhch might not
have been avcltcd if the arbitration system
had hoon in force by common consent Of all
the republican Governments ON the '"hllheh''
The negotiation of treaty on the bases pro-
| noscd by the Conference VIII place every
| American nationality under Obligations TO sub
nit IFS grievances against rival Power 10
arbitration before declaring war. II VIII be
tbo greatest victory for universal peace ever
achieved by craftsmanship.
There is il is true, Il reservation against the
universal application Of arbitration. The com
m;ttce i'm framing lis report makes an cNccp-
tiou 10 the rule when Il nation believes It's lnde-
ncndcncc 10 be at stake. Under those crcum-
.tances arbitration will not be compulsory II
i an exception that will practically prove tho
rulc and involve Che enforcement OF arb1tra-
lion. The Independence Of nation Is never
ot stake unless it. is threatened with war on
cynosod to acts of aggression and all possible
causes Of hostility are included III the COM
nulsory list. No country entering into atrcaty
,csunctinc arbitration will ever bee likely IA
declare its independence to bc at stake and t.
claim exemption from the system unless IT de-
| .ircs to cut loose from its engagements alto
ccthcr and TO defy the other Governments to
| attcmpt coercion No treaty which can be ne
cotatcd can provide any means OF enforcing
arbitration against the will Of any State. That
is utterly imprlcticable. l'ut the genera
| odoption of the arbitration system Will involve
affiliations which no Government will ever b'
likely to repudiatc Ncdiacya warfare opened
with unforeseen acts OF aggression. Modern
wars are invariably preceded by protracte'
periods Of diplomatic controversy and wran
| Cling. With an arbitration compact sIgnct
and sealed by every republican Power Oh The