Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21
RESORT NOT TO ARMS
let ali Disputes Between Nations Be
Settled by Arbitration.
ANNUAL REPORT or THE ALLIANCE
An Interesting Review of What Has
Bcsn Accomplished In the Matter
in Europe--Enrncst Address by the
bishop of London.

week some account was gwen IN thls
paper, copies OF the annual report OF the
Arbitration Alliance were put into the
hands Of members OF the committee.
having been sent by the secretary, Dr.
Darby. OF London.
The first part OF the report gives The
history OF the alliance as the outgrowta
OF the Cooperating Committee appointed
for Great Britain BY the Richmond Execu-
tive Committee. After relating an i'm
portant work done by the alliance in Sc
curing a large and influential concurrence
In "A national memorial TO Parliament, the
report continues:
Notwithstanding these varied efforts or
the committee, the original purpose OF the
association has not been neglected. one
of the first things done by the executive
was 10 instruct the secretary 10 communi-
cate with the official representatives Of the
various denominations, asking that at
the next annual assembly Of each the
petition to governments might be submit
ted. aud a resolution adopted empowering
the aifixing Of signatures on its behalf.
This was done In every instance, and 1t
only remains now 10 obtain these sigma
lures 10 properly cngrossed copies OF the
petltlon-a task which - in course of ac-
complishment, but which necessarily takes
some time. When the petition is com
pleted IL viii be the further duty OF the
executive 70 secure the due presentation
Of the copy intended Tor our own govern
ment by a wcll-chOsen and influential
1eDutati0n.
PROPOSAL or AMERICAN BRETH-
rem.
meanwhile the magnitude and difficulty
Of the task originally undertaken ana
determined In form by the Chicago Cen
ference has grown continually more and
more apparent. In our own country and
In America. amid the more favorable con-
ditious Of church lie ana environments OF
church work, ana by a movement from
within. Il has been comparatively easy
10 carry the project to practical compile
tiOn, although even here the achievement
has demanded much labor and time. But
n continental countries, amid totally diff
.ercnt conditions, and by persons acting
from the outside and from a distance IL
sas been found not only difficult, but so
ar. impractcable
According. IN December last, our
American brethren addressed formal
resolution to the executive. in which,
tltsr sayingS The American Executive
Committee has been endeavOrlns 10
Organize committees on the Continent Of
Europe similar TO that out Of which grew
your alliance; but owing 10 our great
distance from these countries, and our
not being able 10 send a representative
10 act for Va on the ground. We have not
been able % accomplish this purpsse.'
they requested the Arbitration Alliance
u undertake this work Tor them: that is,
to organize cooperating COMMITTEES
In each of the countries of the Contin mt.
whose Office % shall lie, first, TO secure
the concurrence Of the churches Of It's
own country in the petition 10 govern
ments watch We have in hand; and, sec
Cndly - appoint a suitable deputation
Of influential persons TO present the petit
tiOns q the governments In doing this
work there Is, Of course, the possibility
may W. not say the probability, indeed.
the certainty-that such cooperation
would not only bring these churches into
closer fellowship. but that their united
effort would have a reflex action upon
their own spiritual fellowship and life,
and 50 promote. IN very real sense, the
true uuion Of Christendom.
REPLY OF THE EXECUTIVE.
'"The request Of our American brethren
was very thoroughly considered by the
executive, who expressed themselves
ready - engage in this very oneTous and
yet peculiarly attractive undertaking.
provided the necessary funds could be
1t was felt, however, that our
knowledge Of the position Of the con-
Unental churches in regard to the differ
ent governments was 50 imperfect, that,
In the first instance. a personal visit by
the secretary, In order t. confer with
leading pastors and others as to what
could be done, and how il might Ne best
TO act. was an Indispensable preliminary,
Ind reply was sent 10 the American
Executive IN this sense. The committee
~ the Peace Society had previously. when
his view Of the matter was first raised.
expressed It's readiness to cooperate. by
liberating the secretary, as far as posi-
bic. for any such duty, If the necessary
expense could be met. Here. therefore.
the work halts for the present through
lack OF funds.
THE FINANCIAL POSITION
"As will be seen from the balance-sheet
presented herewith. this question Of
funds. the indispensable requisite for
all public work, has yet TO be resolutely
faced by US. Thanks 10 the Corpora
tion of the older body, the Peace Society
we have not had, 50 far, to incur any
expense for Office accommodation or per-
sonal service, so that the work accom-
plished has been done at comparatively
little cost. most Of that being incurred in
connection with the National Memorial
Not only mas our income been wholly
Inadequate, but we have yet scarcely laid
the foundation of one. We have natural
ly looked forward 10 this annual meet
Ing as giving us an opportunity Tor max
Ink n good start In our collecting.
without at all encroaching on the re-
sources OF existing organizations. IL ought
10 be possible 10 secure for our associa-
ton the small income which would enable
Il TO do great and necessary work Al
ready we have received some subscrip-
tions. and with them few promises OF
meetings and collections. These we shall
be glad TO have multiplied, and the sec
rotary, or some representative OF the al
lance, will be ready TO attend any meet
ing or conduct any service on its behalf.
free OF expense Besides this, ii Is
hoped that ministerial brethren in all
the churches might become themselves
members and render assistance in enlist
ing the sympathy and cooperation OF
their congregations. and especially Of their
young people.
CANNOT BE MEASURED.
''F'or who can measure the Importance
or the probable results OF a movement
like ours2 In tho direct line of its object
the establishment OF n policy of interna-
tional arbitration and the promotion Of
the permanent peace OF the world. the
united action OF the churches. through
their representative ministers and mem
bers. can accomplish more than that OF
any other oTganizatlon. even that Of the