The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-09
APPEAL FOR arbitration.
ISSUED BY CARDINALS GIBBONS,
VAUGHAN AND LOGUE OF
THE CATHOLIC CREED.
PLEA 70 ENGLISH SPEAKING RAGE.
A Permanent International Court of Ar
bitration Desired by These Prelates.
The Words of Christ Quoted to
Promote These Wishes.

Baltimore, Nd, April 5.-Cardinal
Gibbons today gave out the following
appeal for arbitration instead of war,
signed by himself and Cardinals Vaughan
of Westminster and Logue of Ireland.
The document is the result of a cores
pondence upon the subject between Car
dinal Gibbons and his colleagues, whose
names are affixed to the appeal and is
issued on Easter Sunday because of the
appropriateness of the day. The appeal
is as follows:
'An appeal by the American, Irish and
English cardinals in behalf of Il perma-
nent tribunal of arbitration.
"We, the undersigned cardinals, rep
resentatives Of the principles of peace
and of the Catholic church in our re-
spective countries, invite all who hear
our voice to cooperate IN the lorna
ton of a public opinion which shall de-
mand the establishment of permanent
tribunal of arbitration as National sub
stitute among the Engish-spcaking race
for n resort to arms.
1--WE are well aware that such n project
is beset with practical difficulties. We
believe that they will not prove to be
insuperable II the desire to overcome
them be begun and genuine. Such n
court existed for centuries when the ma
tions of Christendom were united i'll one
faith. And have we not seen nations
appeal to that same court for its juds-
ment in our own day.
'The establishment of n permanent
tribunal, composed of trusted represent
atives of each sovereign nation with
power to nominate judges and umplres
according to the nature of the differ
ances that arise and Il common accept
ance of general principles defining and
limiting the jurisdiction and subject mat
ter of such Il tribunal would create new
guarantees for peace that could not fail
TO influence the whole of Christendom.
"Such an international court of arbi-
tration would form n second line of de-
Tense, to be called into requisition only
after the ordinary resources of diploma
cy had been exhausted. 1t would at
least postpone the outbreak of hOstiities
until reason and common sense had for
mally pronounced their last words. This
is matter of which the constitution
and procedure must be settled by gov
ernments.
But as governments are becoming
more and more identified with the as
pirations and moulded by the desires of
the people, an appeal in the first instance
must be addressed TO the people.
1--WE do not hesitate on our part to
lift up our united voice and proclaim to
all who are accustomed to hearken to
our counsels that it is n sign of n divine
influence 1T work in their midst when
nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they be exercised
any more in war" isaiah ii:4.) For
1t was written of n future time 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 .he EARTH Psalms xiv, D.
"Others may base their appeal upon
motives which touch your worldly in
terests, your prosperity, your worldwide
influence in the affairs of men. The
Catholic church recognizes the legitimate
force of such motives in the natural or
der and blcsses whatever tends to the
real progress and elevation of the race.
But our main ground Of appeal rests
upon the 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
brotherhood was n second commandment
like unto the first. 1t was He who an
ward 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, %
1--WE therefore earnestly invite all to
unite with us in pressing their convic-
tions and desires upon their respective
governments by means of petitions and
such other measures as are constitu
tional.
JAMES, CARDINAL GIBBONS,
"Archbishop of Baltimore.
"MICHAEL. CARDINAL LOGUE,
archbishop Armagh, Prmate of all Ire
land.
"HERBERT. CARDINAL VAUGHAN,
Cardinal of Westminster
London, Easter Sunday, 1896