The herald., 1894-11-11

turbulent aud predatory instincts that
are always ready to burst forth. In
London alone we have $4,000 regular
thieves, besides other savages, and but
for our soldiers it might be sacked at any
moment. SO long as force threatens any
community, force must be provided
wherewith to meet it. The worst war is
preferable to anarchy. To suppose that
war can cease ell over the world is an
idle dream. The imperfect development
of social order in the greater part OF it,
makes universal peace an impossibility.
Nevertheless the greatest powers could
easily determine. should they desire it,
to resort to o European court OF arbitra-
tion, instead of settling their disputes
by ruinous wars. For it is these who
have most to lose and who should be
the keenest in favor of peace. And If
they were once earnestly and Loyalty to
agree to arbitration, the lesser powers
would be constrained to follow them,
and by degrees disarmament would take
place naturally and spontaneously. Ii
France, Germany Austria, Russia. the
United States and England, would but
take common action on this point. II
would suffice for the whole world. An
international court of arbitration estab-
liGhed among and for themselves would
eventually become q court of justice for
the rest. International laws already
exist and would be added to and inn
proved and become identified with in.
ternational morality. At present the
whole field is one of uncertainty and
conjecture. But q new and large claes
of international lawyers would arise,
men OF wide research and equitable
views to digest, formulate, and plead
the rules of the science which is des-
tined to give peace to the nations. AS
in ordinary courts OF law, the ablest and
most profound pleaders should succeed
the judges of the international tribunal,
and decide by the passionless laws of
equity, alike free from diplomatic chic
anery and political heat.
The lofty standard OF Justice taught
by international lawyers. from Grotius
down to the present day, has been large.
ly ineffective, because causes have ale
ways been decided by statesmen instead
OF by professional judges. Professor
Sheldon Amos said OF the arbitration at
Genevn, under the treaty OF Washing-
ton, that it "has been good deal
marred by the National party feeling by
which some Of the arbitrators we're agi-
tated, and from which o permanently
constituted court of justice might. if it
could be found at all. be expected to be
moderately exempt" Other causes. too,
have contributed to this and similar
cases.
The canons OF right and wrong differ
in different countries owing to opposite
ussges. But equity is superior to usage,
and the proposed court, which would be
q supreme court OF justice for the world,
would be essentially q court OF equity.
At present there is no canon OF right
and wrong to determine when it is insti-
fable to 60 to war, or whether any
given war lie just or unjust, although the
most wanton belligerent always feels
compelled to offer pretense of iustifi-
cation for breaking the peace. But q
European court of arbitration would
make the laws as we'll as the judgm snts.
Many causes of war are dying out among
states of equal civilization. Religious
federation, free trade, colonial indepen-
dence. wider diffusion of knowledge,
freer communication, and the decreasing
influence of royalties and aristocracies,
are rendering obsolete the most notable
causes OF wars in past times. And wher
the suffrage is extended to women as tc
men. their vote for peace will be 81
unanimous and 80 powerful that no CON
stitutional government will be able t
exist unless it's policy be for arbitration
as a preventive against war.