New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-23
ARBITRATION THEIR THEME.
OPENING OF THE NATIONAL CONFER
ENCE IN WASHINGTON.

OPENING OF THE NATIONAL CONFER
ENCE IN WASHINGTON.
ADDRESSES IN FAVOR OF PLAN TO DO AWAY
WITH WAR MADE BY JOHN w. Fos-
TER. EX-SENATOR EDMUNDs.
CARL scIIURz AND
OTHERS.
Washington April 22.-The International
Arbitration Congress which began two days
session In Metzerott Hall in this city to-day
was a distinguished gathering of prominent
men from all parts of the country Gardiner
G.. Hubbard called the convention to order and
introduced John w. Foster. ex-Secretary OF
State. as temporary chairman. After extending
a welcome on behalf of the local committee and
the municipal authorities Of Washington Mr..
Foster said:
I do not desire to anticipate the address which
may be expected from the permanent president.
whose name will soon he presented to you by the
Committee on Organization. but cannot refrain
country has made In the last half-century Of un-
broken peace with all the nations Of the earth and
OF steady adherence 10 the settlement OF inter-
national differences by the pacific methods OF arbl-
traton-a record almost without parallel among the
sembled TO recommend to Government any new
departure In its policy ON this subject but rather
so consistently followed.
problems and difficulties not easy OF solution. and IL
will be a great gain to the general cause II out M Of
your delberations plan shall be evolved when VIII
seems utopian idea to anticipate a general dls,
barbarIsm and the spirit Of Conquest and oppres-
sion shall be banshed from the earth governments
Certainly among peoples who profess to be governed
by the principles OF common Christianity and espe-
cially between nations kindred in lineage. ianguag.
ana INSTITUTIONS, a better method or adlu,tllB lHt
differences which must arise between them may be
found than.by the bloody arbltrament OF war. The
Engish-s speaking Is by far the most numerous
OF the great Caucasian family and TO 1t is entrusted
by Providence the highest interests Of civilization
and Christianity In the world and II this conference
shall result in permanent plan whereby their dif-
for itself the fame OF OF the memorable assem-
bes OF all history.
EX-SENATOR EDMUNDS'S REMARKS.
Ex-senator Edmunds Of Vermont. was chosen
permanent presiding officer. He was escorted to
tho platform and made a brief speech In which he
said that this assembIage, representing the larg-
est civilized homogeneous body Of men and wom-
on on the globe. was extraordinary. The United
States was among the strongest nations OF the
world 1t had the least reason Of any great ma
ton. In a mere selfish sense to wish for arbitra-
ton 1t strong enough in any but the most
absurd cause to defend Itself to promote It's poll
cies and to carry on war. but Its very strength
imIels It TO be backward. The convention had
met u aid and promote the interests Of the Gov
ernnent and far example could go. the
kindred Government t. practise the principle Of
arbitration and finally all other nations might
follow their example. II was pitful thought
that In this time ot peace over nearly all the
world more than 4 million men capable Of taking
part In tn, progress Of civilization were kept
under arms and a billion dollars diverted to
their support. The time must come when the
armies of the world IKE that Of the United
states would be a mere police body. The force
OF public opinion must he as constant as the law
of gravitation for solving the difficult problem
of ending war The time would come when
ei1nlc5 for aggressive purposes would be dis
solved. and the angel Of peace would blow his
trumpet over all the world.
A letter from Chief Justice Fuller. who was
unable to attend was read. He expressed his
sympathy with the object Of the meeting
letter was also Rad from Andrew Carnegie
stating that he was unable To attend the CON
ference but asking to have his name associated
with those who favored arbitration and inclos-
ing 4 check for $1,000 to be used for any pur-
pose the convention saw NJ.
on motion of Mr.. Dodge. OF New-York. a com
mittee Of fifteen appointed resolutions,
and n committee Of five the order OF business.
Of New-York: c. II. Mccormick. of Chicago;
j. s. Billings. Of Philadelphia; Robert Treat
Payne. of Boston. and J. c. Morris. OF New
Orleans as the latter committee. The following
SIX delegates named for the Committee on
Resolutions the others to be- annourced later:
j. d. Angel. Michigan. Chairman. j. r. Moore
New-York; A. ID. Whte. NewYork; Henry
Hitchcock. St Louis; L. L. Curry. Virginia, and
c. w. Blachford. Illinois.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MOVEMENT
DR. L. T. Chamberlain OF New-YorS. spoke on
the history AMI purpos. Cf the movement The
gathering. he said had not been summoned
with design OF either dictaton rebuxe. but
they had assembled that the conviction OF the
American people respecting the need OF
system Of arbitration between this country and
Great Britain be most clearly and appropriately
certified. not oniy To this Government. but also
TO the Government end people the
Freely and IN advance II admitted that
there We're Obstacles in the way OF a permanent
system OF arbitration between those two
ratlons whose history. language. customs. wa
ideals make them 80 much akin. Yet remember
ing the sacred end In view. they regarded those
obstacles az things 10 he overcome.
To-nights sesGor we'll attended. and the
audience gave evidence OF its sympathy with the
remarks of the speakers. although some OF
the sentiments OF Professor James Il. Angel. OF
the University OF Michigan. which not
strictly In line with the remarks OF most Of those
who addressed the conference. met with con-
siderable applaus~.
THE ADDRESS OF CARL sDHURZ.
Mr.. Edmunds presided. and introduced Carl
SchurZ the first speaker. Mr.. SchurZ said that
in the resort to arbitration in case OF interna-
tional difficulties the United States was the
natural leader OF the movement and he could
conceive for 1t no nobler more beneficial mis-
H.. .i fha nf no
World armed to the teeth and uneasiy watching
each other, with this republic stronger than any
nation In Europe in the number. Intelligence,
vigor and patriotism OF It's people and In the un-
pa rallelled abundance OF It's barely broached re-
sources resting In full security In It's magnificent
domain" He did not think this country could