The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-08
,xrrp~.TIoNAL ARBITRATION.

THAT enlightened colored divine Johh
Iasper. is probably in error wnen ne ue-
clares in that great sermon OF ms thal
CHE sun do move" But Reverend Jas
,,er could. with entire safety, modiiy MS
declaration into the statement that 'ne
,yorld do move" No testimonial In be-
half of this progress could be more en-
rbatic and convincing than what is now
taking place in Paris in the Behrlhe
Sea Tribunal. The occasion for that trl-
bunal's existence was an angry cohtro-
versv between the greatest powers OF
the Garth. which could very well have
resulted I'm war between them, and this
might. Of course, just as well have re-
suited in victory for the wrong, as hap
pened in our civil war, as in victory Tor
the right. But the world do move
and these two great powers, which have
crown in wisdom as well as in material
strength. have submitted their contro-
versy TO the arbitrament Of impartial
and upright men, who will decide the
questions in issue according to justice
and international law, and in place OF
armored ships sunk in the ocean and
battlefelds covered with slain men, and
injustice and wrong ruling triumphant
in the end, we shall see the intimate as
sociations of two great and kindred peo-
pie preserved, and the right and the fair
thing installed for the veneration and
admiration of all men.
Truly the poet was right when he said
peace hath her victories no less re-
nowned than war" and the greatest vic
tory that peace hath ever yet obtained
is this growing disposition Of nations to
settle their quarrels by arbitration, in
stead Of by war.
A few weeks back Mr. Cremer and Sir
John Lubbock. two distinguished MEM
bers of the House Of Commons of Eng
land, brought forward a proposition in
Parliament that measures should be ia
ken TO secure the best means of ad-
justing differences of opinion between
the two great divisions of the English
kin by arbitration. that they may not,
as in cases of foreign Powers, drift into
settlement by the sword. The resolution
brought forward received the unanimous
support of the House of Commons, which
shows very plainly the temper towards
us of our English cousins. The matter
is one Of prodigious moment, and it
would be well if Americans could be
induced to give it their own very serious
attention.
The London Spectator discusses the
proposition most candidly and favorably
also. remarking that
IF we begin by an Acknowledgement
that we are not in the position OF for
eign pOwers-i. e.. liable to war at any
moment-we may soon rise 10 definite
race-alliance. and. lastly. 10 that declara-
ton of a common citizenship. which
would prevent any Englishman being an
alien I'm America, or any American being
an alien in England. and would heal the
breach in the unity Of the race caused
by the folly of George III. and his min
listers"
The Spectator very justly attaches the
greatest importance 10 the standing
agreement that all questions as they
arise shall be submitted TO arbitration,
unless one power or the other shall
declare that particular question. when
1t arises shall not be submitted. There
are. Of course, some questions which
might arise that no nation would be
willing to have passed on by any judg-
meut but it's own. These would be. OF
course, rare and exceptional. But Il
would be wise TO have general agree
ment that all questions should be sub
mitted to arbitration. unless one or the
other nation objected In a particular
case.
The Spectator thinks there Is an In
her ent difficulty in raising tribunal OF
arbitration for each particular case as
II arises. because. II says, other Euro
pean powers have to be appealed TO on
all such occasions to appoint arbitrators
and these arbitrators. on the prfnciple
that England is too rich and prosperous