Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-20

grow up. Meanwhile that modern Consti-
tuition Is, from time to time. assailed by
still more modern necessities. and the meth
DDS for Its amendment not swift or
easy. The structure has not become COM
pletely ossi1ied. Hence has arisen what
may call fleXibility of Interpretation, ap-
Piled to the Constitution of the United
States, fer which 1 know no parallel in
English judicature and which seems to me
to- exceed the latitude of Interpretation
observed by your judges in relation to acts
Of Congress. ...-
Humanity of International LAW.
L turn now to the consideration of what
characterizes the later tendencies of inter
national law. In word it is their greater
humanity. bare recital of some of the
important respects in which the evils of
| war have been mitigated by more humane
customs must suffice. za-
Amongst them are: % The greater Inn
munity from attack of the persons and
property of enemy subjects in a hostile
country; C2) the restrictions imposed on the
active operations of beilfgerent when oc-
cupying an enemy'S country; CD the recog-
Elzed distinction between subjects of the
enemy, comba tant and non-combatant; %
the Difference accorded to cartels, safe con-
ducts and flag of truce 5) the protection
secured for ambulances and hospitals and
for all engaged in tending the sick and
wounded, Of which the Geneva Red Cross
convention CT 1864 is notable Illustration;
90 the condemnation of the use of instru-
ments of warfare which causes needless
suffering.
In this field Of humane work the United
States took prominent part. Even more
important are the changes wrought in the
position of neutrals In war times; who,
W lille bound by strict obligations of neu-
t1ality, are in great measure left free and
unrestricted in the pursuit of peaceful
trade.
f War In the Air.
Tp,,fi ~, e,>tto al -ho hat
these times breathe the spirit Of peace?
There Is war in the air. Nations armed
to the teeth prate of peace, but there is
no sense of peace One sovereign bur-
theirs the Industry of his people to MAIN
tain military and naval armament at war
strength, and his neighbor does the like
and justifies it by the example of the
other, and England, insular though she
be. with her imperial interests scattered
the world over, follows, or is forced to fol-
low, In the wake, u If there be no war
there Is at best an sarmad peace.
Figures are appa4lingps l take those for
1895. In Austria the annual cost Of army
and navy was, In .rpund figures, eighteen
millions sterling; In France. thirty-seven
Tdni in Germany, twentysseven mil.
in Italy, thirteen millions. and in Russia.
ffty-two millions. -. "a
Dreadful HhFdens.
AA'o hoi hioi cost u Ipo 1l1iAoiieii'9 VI
war has of late wears enormously in
creased. The annual interest on the pub
lie debt Of the great powers is a war tax.
Behind this array Of facts stands a tragic
figure. When will governments learn the
lesson that wisdom and justice in policy
are stronger securlyithan weight of ar
mament? -. 80 =. -.
1t is no wonder that men-earnest men
enthusiasts if you like. impressed with
the evils of war, have dreamt the dream
that the millennium of peace might be
reached by establishing a universal sys-
tenn of international arbitration.
The cry for peace is an old world cry.
1t has echoed through all the ages, and
arbitration has long been regarded as the
handma:den of peace. Arbitration has,
indeed, very venerable history of its own.
Desire for Peace.
In our own times the desire has spread
and grown strong for peaceful methods
for the settlement of international dis
putes. The reason lies on the surface.
Men and nations are more enlightened; the
grievous burthen Of military ornaments is
screly felt. and in these days when. broad
ly speaking. the people are enthroned, their
views find free and foroible expression in a
worldwide press. The movement has
been taken up by societies Of thoughtful
and learned men in many places.
But more hopeful still-the movement