Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-04-25

Metzerott's hotel this afternoon for
conference to promote the propaganda
for international arbitration which hal
been supported by many religious anc
secular organizations since the Vene
zuela boundary dispute first inspired
talk of war with Great Britain and The
United States.
There were several prominent pub
licists and business men conspicuous ir
the proceedings, but the rank and file Of
the delegates-who number some 900
and came from most of the states anc
territories-were educators and clergy.
men.
There was notable absence of gov.
eminent officials, for although invita-.
lions had been extended to the presi
dent, his cabinet, the supreme court, ali
members OF both houses of congress
and many others of the political circle
and though the cooperation of MANY OF
these dignitaries had been counted upon
not one of them put in an appearance
at the afternoon meeting.
The proceedings of the first session
were entirely harmonious; the speeches
dealt in generalities upon the benef.
cence of arbitration. No utterances
were made which might tend to em.
barrass the administration in the con.
duct of pending diplomatic negotiations
with England or Spain. Before the meet.
ing, Secretary Olney was visited by a
committee who outlined the plans for
the conference, and submitted for his
approval the resolutions which will be
presented to the conference. The secre-
tary of state found nothing to criticise
in the resolutions and expressed sympa.
thy with the objects of the meeting
Although no reference were made to
present international questions, the
whole tenor of the speeches was to.
ward an agreement for arbitration be.
tween the two English speaking nations
Mr.. Gardiner 6. Hubbard of Wash
ington called the conference to order
and his introduction of the temporary
chairman, ex-Secretary of State John
w. Foster, as "Thc Arbitrator between
China and Japan" evoked applause.
After few words of welcome in be.
half Of the local committee and the mu.
nicipal authorities at Washington, MIR
Foster said:
81 cannot refrain from expressing my
pride at the record which our cause has
made in the past half century of un.
broken peace, with all the nations Of
the earth, and of a steady adherence tc
the settlement of the international diff
ferences by the pacific method of arbi
tration--a record almost without par
allel among the nations of the earth
You have not, therefore, assembled te
recommend to our government any new
departure to its policy on this subject
but to strengthen and confirm it in tht
policy SO long and so consistently fol
lowed.
Compulsory arbitration between ma
tions presents problems and difficulties
not easy OF solution, and 1t will be
great gain to the general cause If out o
your deliberations plan shall b.
evolved which will meet the objeetion
and solve the difficulties. 1t seems
utopian idea to anticipate general dis
armament of nations in our generation
and until barbarism and the spirit o
conquest and oppression shall be ban
shed from the earth, governments will
be forced toamaintain armies and navies
But certainly among people who profes
TO be governed by the principles of com
mon Christianity, and especially between
nations kindred in lineage, languag
and institutions, better method of ad
iusting the differences which must arts
between them must be found than b
the bloody arbitrament of war
Next Judge DAILY, for the committe
ON permahebt SPECIALIZATION, reported tn
selection of the following officers: Pres
dent, Hon. George F. Edmuns.- also
list of vice-Presidents represents
every state in the union, and includin
the following: Colorado, N. r. Hill
California, John I. Valentine; Montan
6. w. H. Dewitt; Nevada, ], W Adam
Oregon, ID. S. K. Ruick; Utah, Geo. {
Cannon; Washington, Governor JoL
II. McGraw; Wyoming, Governor "
A. Richards.
MIR. Edmunds was escorted To the pla
form and in graceful speeeh he sal,
"This assemblage. representing III
largest civilized homogeneous body ,
men and women on the globe, is extr
ordinary. The United States is anon
the strongest nations of the world.
has the least reason of any great natio
in mere sense TO wish for arbitration
II is strong enough, in any but the mo
absurd cause, TO defenditseif, to promoi
its policies and 10 carry on war, but i
very strength impels it 10 be backward
II was pitiful thought he said, that
this time of peace, over nearly all II
world, more than million men capab
of taking part in the progress of civil
zatien were kept under arms and bi
lion dollars diverted to their suppor
That time must come when the armit
of the world, like that of the Unite
States ,Vnuld he mere DoliCe bod