The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-23
TOPUTANENDTOWAR
Arbitration Conference in Ses-
sion at Washington City.
ADDRESSED BY NOTED MEN.
Ex-secreeary John w. Foster, Ex-sen-
sfor Edmunds, President Angel, Ed
ward Atkinson and Others Speak.

supported by many religious ard secular
organizations since the Venezuela ooun-
dairy dispute first inspired talk OF war
with Great Britain and the United States.
There were several prominent pubiicists
and business men conspicuous in the pro-
ceedines but the rank and file OF the del
egates. who number some 40 and come
from most of the states and territories.
were educators and clergymen. There was
a notable absence Of government officials.
for, although invitations had been extend
ed to the president, his cabinet. the ST.
preme court, all the members OF both
houses Of congress. and many others CT
the political circle, and although the CO.
operation of many OF these dignifaries
had been counted upon, not one of them
put In an appearance at tho afternoon
meeting.
The proceedings Of the first session were
entirely harmonious. and the speeches
dealt in generalities upon the benehcence
OF arbltra lion. No utterances were made
which might tend TO embarrass the admin
istrafion In the conduct of the pending dip
lomatic negotiations with England or
Spain. Before the meeting Secretary Oh
ney was visited by committee. who out
lined the plans for the conference and sub
mitted for his approval the resolutions
which Will be presented to the confer
ence tomorrow. The secretary of state
found nothing TO criticise in the resolu-
tons. and expressed sympathy with the
objects Of the meeting. Although no ref
erences were made to the present inter-
national questions. the whole tenor of the
speeches was toward an agreement for
arbitration between the two English
speaking nations.
Gardner G. Hubbard. of Washington
City. called the conference to order. and
his introduction OF the temporary chair
man. ex-Secretary Of State John W.
Foster. as The arbitrator between China
and Japan" evoked applause. After
few words of welcome in behalf Of the To-
cal committee and the municipal au,hori-
ties Of Washington. Mr.. Foster said:
Il cannot refrain fro 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 steady adherence to the
settlement Of the irsterna tional differences
by the pacific method Of arbitration. q
record without parallel among the nations
Of the earth. You have not. therefore.
assembled to recommend to our govern
ment any new departure in Its policy ON
this subject. but rather to strengthen and
confirm It in policy so long and so con-
sistently followed.
Compulsory arbitration between nations
presents problems and difficulties not easy
of solution, and 1t will be a great gain to
the general cause II out OF your delibera-
tons plan should be evolved which will
meet the objections and solve the difficult
ties It seems a Ctopian idea to antici-
pate a general disarmament Of nations in
our generation; and until barbarism and
the spirit of conquest and oppression shall
be banished from the earth, governments
will be forced to maintain armies and ma
vies. But certainly among people who
profess to be governed by the principles
~x.Irxw
between nations kindred in lineage, Ian
guage and institutions. better method Of
adjusting the differences which must arse
between them must be found than by the
blood arbitrament Of war"
Next Judge DAILY, for the committee on
permanent organization, reported the Sc
lection OF the following officers: Presi-
dent, George +. Edmunds, also list OF
vice presidents representing every state
in the Union, and including the following:
Colorado, y. p. Hill; California, John j.
Valentine: Oregon, d. S. X. Buick; Utah.
George Q. Cannon: Washington, Gov.
john II. McGraw: Wyoming. Gov. W. A
Richards.
Mr.. Edmunds was escorted to the plat
form. and in a graceful speech he said:
This assemblage, representing the largest
civilized homogeneous body OF men aid
women on the globe. Is extraordinary. The
United States Is among the strongest ma
lions OF the world. II has the least reason
of any great nation. in mere selfish sense.
to wish for arbitration. 1t is strong enough.
in any but the most absurd cause, to de-
fend itself. TO promote its policies and to
carry on war. but Its very strength impels
IL to be backward" 1t was a pitiful
thought, he said. that IN this time of peace
over nearly all the world, more than a
million men capable OF taking part in the
progress of civilization. were kept under
arms. and billion dollars diverted to their
support. That time must come when the
armies of the world. like that of the United
States. would be a mere police body. The
force Of public opinion must be as con-
slant as the law of gravitation for solving
the difficult problem OF ending war. The
time would come when armies. for aggres-
sive purposes would be dissolved, and the
angel of peace would blow her trumpet
over all the world
A letter from Chief Justice Fuller WIS
read conveying the regret that his health
and public duties would prevent him from
testifying by his presence his approval Of
the great cause of the convention also a
letter from Andrew Carnegie. who re-
ferred to the movement as the noblest
cause of this generation" and who in a
postscript mentioned the Enclosure OF a
check for s1.ooo 10 help defray the expenses
OF the meeting.
In the course Of the general business.
John Doniphan. OF 81. Joseph. Mo-. Gre
ated no little stir by moving that Mr.. Car
negie's gift be returned 10 HIM. because
Mr.. Carnegie had made his wealth through
contracts 10 furnish the government with
munitions OF war. And" he continued.
the press charges him. whether justly or
unjustly. with making large profits by
s;intlng the employees in his works" He
declared that the Boards OF Trade OF the
country should pay the expenses of the
meeting and that II Will be a humiliation
20 accept Mr.. Carnegie's g.ft- The motion
was opposed BY Delegate Weeks Of Pitts
burg. editor OF the Iron Manufacturer,
and vas buried under a large majority.
The night session OF the conference at
tracted large audience. The speakers
were Hon. Carl Schurz. OF New York:
President Angel. OF the Michigan unlyer-
SHY. and Edward Atkinson. OF Boston.
President Aagell took issue with most OF
the speakers in a ringing declaration that
the United States should stand ready TO-
fight for her honor and her territory. Each
Of the speakers at the night session touch
ed upon current questions. President An
g~ll said the practical difficulties In estab-
fishing a general court OF arbitration for
several nations are very serious, even II all
the principal powers are ready FOR X, but
We have no evidence that they are ready.
Il s. however not ertravagant TO hope
that such a course may BE- set Cd by Great
Britain and ourselves. Possibly we are
more tn danger Of drifting into war on
slight occasions than We were forty wears
ago. Ne have brought out Of our civil war
r new Consciousness % military sfranrth
which has its temptations and its dangers.
one OF the great advantages Of a coulrul-
sorry resort 20 arbitration Is that time must
- gained for reflection In conclusion ha
SAID: our army Is row hardly large