Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-24
The True Basis of Universal Peace

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The national arbitration conference just
closed in our capital city was a notable
event; but in some respects 1t was antici-
pated in China nearly twenty-five centuries
ago. Before, and at that time. eastern Asia
was divided into feudal states. often at war
with each other for supremacy. Each
state was capable of bringing into the field
10000 or more chariots of war with bow
and spearmen, besides cavalry and foot SOL
diers. No portion of the globe had been so
drenched with human blood though prac-
tically the several states were one in liter
ature, in the arts and in religious ideas, as
expressed in their classics. A great states
man and prime minister Of the state of
Sung, named Heahg Seuh born some 600
Years Il. c., conceived plan of league
and arbitration between the states, to
put and end to their oft-recurring
wars. With this end in view he
visited the capitals of the different
states, submitted his plan to their several
ministers, heard their views and procured
their nominal assent. Even the leading
statesmen of Tsin, the most aggressive of
all the feudal states, acknowledged that
war was destructive to the people. ate up
the resources of states and that it was the
greatest possible calamity to small states:
that Seuh's plan would probably turn out
impracticable, but we must give it our
will, and so improve their position to cur
disadvantage" The other great feudal
states reasoned in the same way, and all
appeared willing.
Having succeeded thus far Seuh called n
meeting of representatives from the various
feudal states. In the spring of $50 Il. c.
they met in the capital of Sung. and dis
CuSsed the whole question of arbitration,
or covenant Of peace. Two Of the states
would not accept all the conditions; but on
the whole compact was made and about
to be signed. There should be war no more
throughout the great world of China. But
before the final close of the conference one
of the representatives of the state of Use
opposed the whole plan of mutual conces-
sion, and in substance exclaimed: who
can do away with the instruments of war?
They have been long in requisition. BY
them the lawless are kept in awe and ac-
cotnpiished virtue "a superior civilization)
is displayed. On them depends the preser-
walton or the ruin of a country: and you
are seeking to do away with them. Your
scheme is delusion. and there could be no
greater offense than to lead the states
astray by tt This statesman's address
practically endeA the conference and moth
ing came of it, for it had no binding power.
The state of Tsin at that time was aiming
at universal empire. and which was finally
consolidate under the dynasty of Han.
Thus the first attempt in our world to
put an end to on principles Of ex-
rediency and by political arrangement end
cd in failure, as 1t ALWAYS will, because
greater motives must sway the hearts of
men.
1t is a very interesting fact that Confu-
cius, the worlds greatest ethical teacher
was but a lad sixteen years Of age at the
time this conference was In session. In
due time he too Travelled extensively over
the feudal states of China. and by gather
ing, teaching and benueathing to the black
haired race the ethics of their classics
henevolence. good will and reciprocty-he
has solved the only true basis of universal
peace. VARNUM D. COLLINS.