The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
EXTENDS
THE OLIVE BRANCH
Friendly Address Before the American
Bar Associ alton at Saratoga.
MESSENGER OF PEACE
The English Jurist Gives an Earnest
Appeal iOr Arbitration in the Settle.
ment Of International Disputes.
The Warmest Feeling should Al.
WaVs Exist Between English.
Speaking Nations.

Saratoga n. Y, Aug. 20.-The feature
of todays session of the American Bar
association was the address of Lord
Russell. of Killowen, the lord chief JUS
tice OF England. AS Lord Russell step
ped forward the vast audience broke
into unrestrained applause. which con-
tinued fully a minute. Throughout the
delivery of his paper. which was more
of an address than forensic effort, the
closest attention was given by the au-
dience.
When Lord Russell concluded an in
formal recess was taken. during which
all that could possibly do So crowded
to the platform and clasped his hand
The thanks of the convention was
presented to him for his luminous and
eloquent address.
In touching upon the subject of ar
bitration Lord Russel said
Experience has shown that. over n
large area, International differences
may honorably. practically and use
fully be dealt with by peaceful arbit-
ranent. There have been since 1915
some sixty instances of effective inter-
national arbitration. TO thirty-two of
these the United States have been a
party and Great Britain to some twen-
ty of them
There are many instances a,so of the
Introduction of arbitration clauses in
to treaties. Here again the United
States appear i'm the van. Amongst
the first of such treaties-if not the
very tirst--is the I1idalgo
treaty of l84S between the United
States and Mexico. Since that date
many other countries have followed
this example. In the year 1879 SiSnor
Mancini recommended that,in all treat
les to which Italy was q party, such n
clause should be introduced. Since the
Treaty of Washington such clauses
have been constantly inserted in COM
mercial, postal and consular conven-
tions. They are to be found also in the
delimitation treaties of Portugal and
Great Britain and with the Congo Free
state made i'm 1891. In 1895 the Belgian
senate. in a single day. approved of
four treaties with similar clauses,
namely. treaties concluded with Den
mark. Greece, Norway and Sweden.
APPLICATION OF ARBITRATION.
1t is hardly too much to say that
arbitration may fifty be applied In the
case of by far the largest number of
questions which lead to international
differences. Broadly stated. whereVe,
the right i'm dispute will be determined
BY the ascertainment of the true facts
of the case: and where. the facts being
ascertained, the rights depend on the
application of the proper principles of
inte national law To the given facts
in such cases the matter is one which
ought to be arbtrated.
So long as war remains the sole court
wherein to try International quarrels.
the risks of failure are SO tremendous,
and the mere rumor Of war so paralys-
rs commercial and Industrial life, that
pretensions wholly unfounded will
rarely be advanced by any nation, and,
the strenuous efforts of statesmen.
whether Immediately concerned or not.
will be directed to prevent war. But
If there be standing court of nations.
to which any power may resort. with
little cost and no risk. the temptation
may be strong to put forward preten-
tious and unfounded claims. in support
of which there may readily be found.
in most countries. (can We except even
Great Britain and the United StatesD
busybody ,Jingoes only too ready to air
their spurious and intlammatory pa
triOtism.
In dealing with the subject Of arbi-
tration ! have thought it right to sound
a note of caution. but 1t would, indeed,
be q reprOach to our nineteen centuries
of Christian civilization. if there We're
now no better method for settling In
ternational differences, than the cruel
and debasing methods of war. May we
not hope that the people of these states
and the people of Mother land-kindred
peoples-may. in this matter. set an
;,,H .
world?
TRUE CIVILIZATIONS.
We boast Of our advance and often
look back with plying contempt on
the ways and manners of generations
gone by. Are we ourselves without re-
pruach? Has our civilization borne the
true marks? Must it not be said. as
has been said of religion itself. that
countless crimes have been committed
in its name? Probably it was newt
able that the weaker races should, in
the end, succumb. but have We always
treated them with consideration and
with justice? Has not civilization too
often been presented to them at the
point Of bayOnet and the Bible by the
hand of the filibuster? And apart from
races we deem barbarous, is not the
passion for dominion and wealth and
power accountable for the worst chap
ters of cruelty and oppression written
in the Worlds history? Few peoples
perhaps none--are free from this re-
proach. What indeed is true civiliza- =
ton? BY its fruit you shall know 1t.
II is not dominion. wealth. material
luxury: nay, not even great litera
ture and education wide spread-good
though these things be. Civilization Is
~ ttnf, 10, h.,
very heart and core Of societies of men.
Its true signs are thought for the
poor and suffering. chivalrOus regard
and respect for woman, the frank rec
ognition of human brotherhood, ire
spectiVe of race or color or nation or
religion. the love of ordered freedom.
adherence of what is mean and cruel
and vile. ceaseless devotion to the
claims of justice. Civilization in that,
it's true. it's highest sense, must make
for peace. We have solid grounds for
faith in the future. Government is be-
coming more and more, but in no mar
row class sense, government of the
people by the people and for the people.
Populations are no longer moved and
manoeuvred as the arbitrary will or
restless ambition or caprice of kings or
potentates may dictate. And although
democracy is subject to violent gusts
of passion and prejudice. they are
gusts only. The abiding sentiment of
the masses is for peace-for peace to
live industrious lives and to be at rest
with all mankind. With the prophet of
old they feel-though the feeling may
find no articulate utterance-"how
beautiful upon the mountains are the
feet of him that brngeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace"
Mr.. President. I began by speaking