The San Francisco call., 1896-04-06
A SUBSTITUTE FOR WAR.
American, Irish and English Car.
dlnalS Suggest a Plan
for Peace.
Invite COOPERATION in the Establish.
ment of Permanent Tribu.
nal of Arbitration.

BALTIMORE. Nd, April 5.-His Emf
nence Cardinal Gibbons has given to the
United Press an appeal. signed by the
American, Irish and English Cardinals, in
behalf OF permanent tribunal of arbitra-
ton, with the view of creating new guar
antees for peace throughout the world as
substitute for war. The appeal is the re-
suit OF joint conference IN which Cardi-
nal Gibbons, Cardinal Logue and Cardinal
Vaughan have for some time been en-
gagged. The conclusions arrived at by
their Eminences are as follows
We, the undersigned Cardinals, represents
tives of the Prince of Peace aud of the Catholic
church in our respective countries, invite all
who hear our voice to Cooperate in the forma-
ton of q public opinion which shall demand
the establishment of permanent tribunal of
arbitration as rational substitute among the
English-speaking races for resort to the
bloody arbitrament war
We are well aware that such project is beset
with practical difficulties. We believe that
they will not prove to be insupereble if the de-
sire to overcome them be genuine and general.
such court existed for centuries when the ma
t1ons OF Chrlstendom were united in one faith
And have we not seen nations appeal TO that
same court for its judgment in our own day?
Ihe establishment OF permanent tribunal,
composed may be of trusted representatives of
each sovereign nation, with power to nomin-
ate judges and umpires according to the ma
ture OF the differences that arise, and common
acceptance OF general principles defining and
limiting the jurisdiction and subject-matter of
such tribunal, would create guarantees
for peace that could not fail to influence the
whole OF Christenoom.
Such an international court of arbitration
would form a second line of defense, to be
called into requisition only after the ordinary
results OF diplomacy had been exhausted. 1t
would at least postpone the outbreak of hos
tllltles until reason and common sense mad
form ally pronounced their last word. This is
a matter OF which the constitution and pro-
cedure must be settled by Governments; but
as Governments are becoming more and more
Identified with the aspirations and nodded by
the desires of the people, an appeal in the first
instance must be addressed to the people.
We do not hesitate on our part to lift up our
united voice and proclaim TO all who are ac-
sign of divine influence at work in tn cir
midst when Nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they be exercised
any more in war" isaiah ii AZ For it was writ
ten OF a future time, s'Come ye and behold the
work OF the Lord, what wonders he hath done
upon the earth, making wars to cease even
to the end of the EARTH Psalms iv: 49)
Others may base their appeal upon motives
which touch your worldly interests, your pros
perlty your worldwide influence and authority
in the affairs of men. The Catholic church
recognizes the legitimate force OF such motives
IN the natural order and blesses whatever tends
to the real progress and elevation of the race
But our main ground of appeal rests upon the
wel-known character and will of the Prince of
Peace, the living founder, the divine head of
Christendom. 1t was he, who declared that
love for the brotherhood is second command
ment like unto the first. 1t was he who an
nounced to the people the praise and reward of
those who seek after peace and pursue it.
Blessed, said he, "are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children OF God.
Matt. V, 81
We therefore earnestly invite all to unite
WIN US IN pressing their convictions and de-
sires upon their respective Governments by
means OF petitions and such other measures as
are constitutional.
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS
Archbishop of Baltimore
MICHAEL CARDINAL LoGUE
Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland
HERBERT CARDINAL VAUGHAN,
Archbishop of Westminster.