The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-04-29
ARBITRATION CONGRESS-.
Advocates of Peace Between Ma
tons Discuss Plans.
A Notable Convention Meets In Washing
ton-What Some of the Speakers
Said-Text of the Resolu-
tions Adopted.

II.
tional arbitration congress which be-
gan a two days session in Metzerott
hall, in this city, Wednesday was dis
tinguished gathering of prominent men
from all parts of the country. Mr.. Gar
diner G. Hubbard called the convention
to order and introduced Hon. John w.
Foster, ex-secretary of state, as tenn
porary chairman. In his remarks Mr..
Foster said:
ut seems a Utopian idea to anticipate
general disarmament of nations in our gen.
GRAFTON and until barbarism and the spirit
of conquest and oppression shall be ban
ished from the earth, governments will he
forced to maintain armies and navies. But
certainly among peoples who profess to be
governed by the principles of a common
Christianity, and especially between ma
lions kindred il lineage, language and in
stitutions, better method of adjusting
the differences which must arise between
them may be found than by the bloody ar
bitrament of war. And if this conference
shall result in a permanent plan whereby
their differences may be adjusted by ar
filtration. it viii win for itself the fame OF
one of the memorably assemblies of all
history"
DR.. L. T. Chamberlain, of New York,
spoke of the history and purpose of the
movement. The gathering. he said, had
not been summoned with design of
either dictation or rebuke, but they
had assembled that the conviction of
the American people respecting the
need of some system of arbitration be-
tween this country and Great Britain
might be most clearly and appropri-
ately certified. not only to our OWL
government, but also to the government
and the people over the sea.
The night session was well attended,
and the audience gave evidence of its
sympathy with the peaceable remarks
of the speakers, although some of the
sentiments of Prof James B. Angel,
of the University OF Michigan, were
met with considerable applause. M.
Edmunds presided and introduced Mr.,
Carl Schurz as the first speaker.
Mr.. Schurz said that in the resort TO arb;-
tration in case of international difficulties,
the United States was the natural leader
OF the movement and he could conceive
for it 10 nobler or more beneficial mission.
He contrasted the powers Of the old world,
armed to the teeth and uneasily watching
each other with this republic. Stronger
than any nation in Europe in the number,
intelligence, vigor and patriotism of its
people, and in the unparalleled abundance
# its barely preached resources, resting
In full security in its magnificent domain.
what nation is there better fitted to be
the champion of the cause Of peace and
good will than this, so strong, although
Enarmed and so entirely exempt from any
iInputation of the motive Of fear or Of
selfish advantage?"
He did not think we could have a war
with any European power unless we wan
tonly sought for it. but that they would
respect our rights and comply with all
our demands if just and proper in the way
of friendly agreement If anyone doubts
this" said Mr.. Schurz, '1et him look at j
recent occurrence. The alarmists about
The hostility to Us of foreign powers usu-
ally have Great Britain in their minds.
/ am very sure President Cleveland, when
re wrote his Venezuelan message, did not
mean to provoke war with Great Britain
But the language of that message might
have been construed as such provocation
by anybody inclined to do so"
Had Great Britain wished a quarrel
with US, here was tempting opportunity.
Everybody knew that we had but small
navy, an insignificant standing army anG
10 coast defenses; that in fact we were en-
rirely unprepared for conflict. The pub
lie opinion of Europe was against US. What
did the British government do? It did
not avail itself of that opportunity. It did
not resent the language Of the message.
On the contrary, the queens speech from
the throne gracefully turned that MESA &c
into an expression of willingness on the
part of the United States to cooperate with
Great Britain in the adjustment of the
Venezuela boundary dispute"
The last speaker of the evening was
Prof. Angel, who, in his address, advanced
the idea that one of the great advantages
OF compulsory resort TO arbitration is that
time must be gained for reflection Recog-
rizing the proper strength of our army
and navy, he said we should stand before
the world prepared to defend ourselves il
need be with our good right arm, but let
US make no claims on other nations which
are not just claims.
Second Days Sessions.
Washington, April 24.-The national
arbitration convention reassembled in
Metzerott hall Thursday forenoon. A
paper by Prof. John Bassett Moore, of
Columbian university, ex-assistant sec
rotary of state, on the Advantages of a
Permanent System of Arbitration"
was read by Prof. Capen. Mr.. Moore be-
ing unable to attend.
Mr.. E. V. Smalley, now of st. Paul,
Mimi, formerly wel-known Washing
ton newspaper correspondent, ad-
dressed the convention. While he ia
vored arbitration, he thought the
United States should first strive for the
supremacy of the commercial world.
Mr.. Carl Schurz, replying to Mr..
Smalley, said that if we were to become
q sea power we must maintain a navy
equal to that of Great Britain and
France combined.
The Resolutions.
Chairman Edmunds called the after
noon session of the conference to order
at three O'Clock. The committee or
resolutions presented the following re-
port as a substitute for the several
,,roY,oS;t;onS referred to them.