Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-21
TO PREVENT WAR.
PROGRESS or THE PEACE PETITION
IN EUROPE.
Rosebery's Position-The Ant
werp Congress.

-
The Executive Committee. located IN
this city. representing the various de-
nominations. has for some time past been
seeking the concurrence OF the churches
OF Christendom IN a petition In behalf OF
arbitration, addressed TO all the govern
nnents Of Christian countries When
general concurrence OF the ehurches
shall have been secured the petition Is
to be presented to each government by
an influential deputation chosen In each
country. The movement as stated In
the Dispatch some time ago. has the
support Of a large body Of men OF great
prominence in Great Britain, who have
formed themselves into an Arbitration
Alliance" 10 further this cause. Through
their influence nearly all the churches OF
the United Kingdom by their represen-
tatiye bodies have adopted the petition
sent them by the Executive Committee
in Richmond acting in this matter for
the churches at large.
THE ALLIANCE.
The last number OF the London Herald
OF Peace says as 20 the present status
of the movement:
"The petition from the Christian
churches OF the world TO the various
governments which the Arbitration ALI
ance Secretary. DIR. w. j.. Darby was
formed, in the first instance. 10 promote,
has been adopted by nearly all the
churches at their annual assemblies. The
hN n IN
general signature and presentation. In
connection with this the American COM
mittee has proposed that Or. CampbeH,
of Richmond, Va. should visit Europe,
and. in conjunction with -. Dh~oy.
should form similar committees over the
Continent. The carrying Of this plan into
effect is. however, being delayed for
want Of the necessary funds.
at the Devonshre House N'ondom
Conference it was proposed that the
churches should be invited to cooperate
in approaching the British government.
with a view OF inducing il to initiate ac-
ton in regard to the questions OF dis
armament and a permanent court or ar
bitration.
"The Alliance has conveyed this invi-
tation TO the various churches Of Great
Britain and Ireland. and II has been ac-
cepted by all the free churches OF the
of Scotland.
TO WAIT ON LORD ROSEBERY.
1.-The Executive Committee of the AL
llancc. at their last meeting. resolved
that Immediately after the meeting Of the
Wesleyan Conference. which is one OF
the last Of the annual church assemblies
TO gather. the proposed deputation should
arrange to wait upon Lord Roscbery.
Communication has already been opened
with him with a view to his receiving
such deputation at an early date. and
DR. Darby has been charged with the
duty Of organizing II. Responses have
been received from the officers Of nearly
all the churches which had accepted the
invitation. And the Committee OF the
Congregational Union OF England and
Wales. at their meeting on July eth.
agreed that as n body they would en-
dcavOr TO Join in the proposed depu,ation
10 the Premier.
Lord Rosebcry has. however, shown
some reluctance TO receive the deputa-
ton. on the ground that he has. at
present. no prOnOuncemen 10 make on
the subject But the committee OF the
Alliance impressed by the urgency and
Importance Of the question. have resolved
to press the matter upon the government.
SITUATION or TIE GOVERNMENT.
1T has transpircd that The recent pres
sure brought 10 hear upon the government
in favor of an increase Of the navy was
very real and extensive. being inStigatcd
undoubtedly by parties who were per-
sonal,y and pecuniari,y interested in that
increase. 1t trarspires also that the gov
ernmont are at the mercy Of the perma-
ncnt heads of The admiraliy-that is 10
say. II IS at the mercy OF the services
whose leaders can so manage 10 manipu-
late and force It.
Hence It is imperative that the voice
Of the sober hr'etian element Of tho
community. who Do not believe that the
prosperity and safety OF the empire do
pend upon increased expenditure, should
also be heard and felt by the gov n
ment That which reached the govern
mcnt in favor OF the increase Of the
navy was mainly conveyed In the form
stitu'nts. and written by them to their
parliamentary representatives,.
This suggests n very effective way OF
experimenting and supporting the action
OF the "Arbitration Alliance" and We
particularly commend it TO the practical
attention and imitation of our fricndc
everywhere. If this Were done by them
also. IL could not then be said, as ii is now
being affirmed. that the English people
nations"
THE ANTWERP CONGRESS.
The Peace Society Of London. which
has been in existence since 1876 COM
mends this work Of the Christian churches
to the Universal Peace Congress To be
held in Antwerp the 10Th of this month In
the following resolutions:
The committee of the Peace Society
send their cordial greetings 20 the Ant
werp Peace Congress, and through II 10
the societies represented therein and de-
sire TO commnd TO their notice the work
on behalf of peace and arbitration which
is being carried on by prominent mem
bers of the Christian churches in Great
Britain. associated under the name OF
The Arbitration Alliance and also the
similar work. in which 1t originated
which was initiated by the American
churches and was represented by the
Ecclesiastical Peace Conference In chi
caco. and to invite from the congress
and It's constituents their sympathy with
this special movement as worthy Of im:'
tation and development IN the various
countries Of Europe.
1.-THE Christian churches OF Great Bri-
tain and America are the great agencies
IN all philanthropic efforts and IN inc
promotion OF humane and rational re-
forms in those countries; the tenets held
In common by them commit them 10 our
principles: and their accession 10 inc
peace movement is so fun OF promise
that the Peace Society welcomes 'heif
adhesion, bids them Godspeed. ana PROM
Uses them its hearty and undivided sup
port. and invites all sister societies 10 uo
the same"