The record-union., 1896-04-23
Ex-senator Edmunds Chosen to Preside
Over the Congress.
Addresses Delivered by Ex-Secretary
of State Foster and the Hon. Carl
Schurz-Andrew Carnegie Sends
Check for Handsome Amount to
the Convention to be Used for Any
Purpose the Body May See Fit.

WASHINGTON. April 22-The In
ternational Arbitration Congress, which
began two days session in Metzerott
I all in this city to-day, was a distin-
suished gathering of prominent men
from all parts of the country
Gardiner G. Hubbard called the con-
yention to order and introduced Hon.
John w. Foster, ex-Secretary of State,
as temporary Chairman.
Mr. Foster in his opening address
said that he could not refrain from eX-
pressing his pride at the record which
this country had made in the past half
century of unbroken peace with all the
nations of the earth, and of steady
adherence to the settlement OF inter-
national difficulties by the paclhc
method of arbitration-a record almost
ithout a parallel among the nations
OF the earth. You have not, therefore,
he said, assembled to recommend TO
cur Government any new departure IN
its policy on this subject, but rather
u strengthen and confirm it in the pol
icy so long and so consistently followed.
1T seems Utopian idea to anticipate
a general disarmament of nations in
our generation, and until barbarism and
tae spirit Of conquest and oppression
shal be banished frcn the earth, Gov
ernments will be forced to maintain
armies and navies. But certainly among
peoples who profess to be governed
by the principles of common Chris
tianity, and especially between nations
kindred in lineage, language and in
S itutions better method of adjusting
t le differences which must arise be-
tween them may be found than by the
bloody arbitrament of war.
And if this conference shall result in
a permanent plan whereby their diff
lilies may be adjusted by arbitration
il will win for itself the fame OF one or
-s!Q lie 10 s9HquessP eIlBIomeH eul
tory"
Ex-senator Edrnunds of Vermont was
c1osen permanent Chairman. and made
a bfIef speech He said the convention
id met to aid and promote the inter
ests of the Government 1t was a pitt
fll thought that in the time Of peace
over nearly all the world more than
million capable of taking part ia the
progress of civilization were kept under
a ms and a billion diverted to their sup
p9rt The time would come when armies
for aggressive purposes would be dis
solved and the angel of peace would
b ow the trumpet all over the world.
A letter from Chief Justice Fuller,
who was unable to attend, was read.
Ie expressed his sympathy with the OBJ
Jet of the meeting.
4 letter was also read from Andrew
Carnegie of Pittsburg stating that he
vas unable TO attend the conference,
but asking to have his name associated
" ith those who favored arbitration and
j0closing a check for 81 600, to be used
for any purpose the convention saw MT
on motion of Mr.. Dodge of New York
a committee was appointed on resolu-
tons and a committee on the order or
business. The Chair named Messrs- l..
4 Chamberlain of New York, c. H. Nc
Cormick Of Chicago, j. 5. Billings OF
Philadelphia, + Robert I. Payne of Bos-
ton and ]. c. Morris of New orleans
the latter committee
The following six delegates were
raued for the Committee on Resolu-
ons. the others to be announced later
i d Angel of Michigan, Chairman; j.
: Moore of New York. A D. White of
New York. Henry Hitchcock of st.
/ ouis l. l. Curry of Virginia ana ".
V. BIatchford of Illinois.
DR. L. T. Chamberlain of New YORK
spoke of the history and purpose Of the
movement.
AT the conclusion of DR.. Chamber
lafn's remarks John Doiiphon of Mis-
souri, rose to a question of order. lie
moved that the check of Mr.. Carnegie
b returned with thanks. II the Boards
O. Trade of the various cities would not
rav the expense of the convention he
thought that the delegates themselves
could meet all needful expense Mr.
Carnegie. he said, was contracting with
this and other countries for furnishing
munitions of war, and he had been
Charged (the truth of the charge Mr.
I.oliphon would not vouch for) with
"stinting''' his employees. Mr. Carne-
gle might be earnest in his desire for ar
hitration. but he thought that it would
he humiliating to accept money from
him.
Mr.. weeks of Pittsburg defended Mr..
Carnegie, and said it was neither right
nor proper in his opinion to attack his
generosity. He moved to lay the mo-
ton on the table.
The Chair at first ruled that the whole
matter should go the Committee on Res
olutions, but eventually put the motion
of Mr. Weeks. and by viva voce vote
the motion to reject Mr. Carnegie's con-
tribution was tabled.
recess until O'CLOCK was then
taken.
To-night's session was well attended.
Mr.. Edmunds presided. and introduced
Hon. Carl SchurZ as the first speaker
Mr.. Schurz said in the resort TO arbitra-
ton in case of international difficulties
the United States were the natural lead
ers of the movement, and he could con-
ceive for 1t no nobler nor more beneficial
action.
Mr.. Schurz declared that the institu-
ton of a regulated and permanent sys-
tenn of arbitration between the United
States and Great Britain would not be
"a sentimental cooling between loving
cousins. nor a mere stage show gotten
up for the amusement of the public. but
a very serious contrivance intended for
very serious business, and would set to
mankind the example Of two very great
practical and hard-headed nations de-
liberately agreeing to abstain from the
1arbarous ways of by-gone times in ad-