The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-27
ARBITRATION FAVORED
MASS MEETING ~ INTEREST OF THE
ANGLO-AMERICAN TREATY.
Speeches by Ex-Secretary' of State
Letter from Cardinal

WASHINGTON. Jan. pa large meet
ing of the friends of the arbitration treaty
between the United States and Great Bril-
tain. now pending in the Senate, was held
in the Grand Opera House here at o'clock
this afternoon. The call for the meeting
was signed by ex-Secretary Johr w. Fos-
ter. who succeeded Mr.. Blaine as secretary
of State in President Harrison's Cabinet,
Chief Justice Melville w. Fuller, of United
States Supreme Court. Bishop John +.
Hurst, Bishop Henry Y. Satterlee. Presi-
dent Il. i. Whitman, of Columbian mi
versity, Rev. DIR. D.. j. Stafford and other
prominent citizens The purpose of the
meeting was stated in the call 10 be the
public attestation of the appreciation of
the great principle of arbitration embodied
in the pending treaty The audience was a
large and distinguished one. and included
the delegates to the meeting OF the Ma
tional Board of Trade now in session here.
The meeting was called to order by ex-
Secretary John w. Foster. who said in
part: Eight months ago there was assem-
bled in this city a conference of repre-
sentative citizens of almost all the States
of the Union, with a view to promote the
establishment of "A system or method of
permanent arbitration between the United
states and Great Britain. A national or
ganization was then effected. and the
movement was universally regarded as q
patriotic and humane work. When. by the
transmission to the Senate of the recently
signed treaty it was made public that the
President and secretary of state had
agreed with the government of Great
Britain on a convention which gave prom
Use of an early realization of our long
cherished hope. we, who participated IN
that conference. felt that Ii was eminenUy
fitting that the friends of arbitration resi-
dent in this city gathered from the various
States of the Union should be afforded an
OnnQrfnnitV tn come together and manifest
their qualification at this important step
taken IN the direction of permanent peace
between the two great Notwithstanding
nations, and. If they saw ft. 10 express the
hope that the Senate of the United States
would place the stamp OF its approval upon
this great instrument. But 1t is proper 10
say that in calling this meeting II has not
been in any spirit of criticism or i'm
patience. We recognize the fact that
under a provision of the Constitution
which experience has proved TO be a wise
one the Senate is made a part of the treaty
making power and has a duty TO discharge
coordinate with the national executive.
We also recognize that this NATION mas
should not be made the subject of arbltra-
ton with any European nation, 1t Is De
lieved that these interests have been care
fully guarded in the pending treaty, put
should find it eXpedient and possible 10
make the language of the treaty more eX-
plicit in this respect. such action Shouid De
regarded as prudent craftsmanship. L.
however. venture TO express the nope thal
the final action of that BODY VIII not ~
such as to defeat the treaty, as 1t would
thereby disappoint the hopes of the great
majority of the people of the United States
and discredit our government III the eyes
of the civilized world.
Hon. Gardner G.. Hubbarc. president of
the American Geographical Society. was
elected chairman of the meeting, ana on
taking the chair said in opening; we are
not here to discuss the provisions. OF 10
criticise it's effect. We admit its lmper1ec-
tons and its Incompetence. put We pc
lieye these very imperfections and TINS IN
completeness attest its integrity, ITS earn
est purpose and noble aim.
Mr.. Justice Brewer, of the United states
Supreme Court. followed He said that, al
though he was earnestly in favor OF the
pending treaty. he would not trespass III the
slightest degree on the provocative OF the
Senate to carefully and thouSnttully con-
slider it in all aspects. and TO accept what
was good and TO reject what was PAD. he
did not believe in saying TO them you must
adopt it," The great question Snouid not
be approached with the thought OF whether
We can secure a tribunal that VIII always
decide our way. The main question Is,
how to secure an independent and impair
tial court, and then send ~ IL ali of these
~vexatious and peace-disturbing questions.
Courts sometimes make mistakes. but
what are these mistakes as compared with
the waste and carnage of war! L am. In
favor of this treaty said the speaker. be
cause ii gives US for the hrst time In our
national life a chance TO arbitrate our diff
ferences. The first step is the most Inn
portant one. This is our opportunity, and
who can say when another such an oppor-
tunity shall come to u.s.?
Other brief addresses We're made by
Thomas Nelson Page, President Whitman,
Of Columbian College, and ex-senator lien
dersCn. of Missouri. a letter from Cardi-
nal Gibbons was read, eXpre SSing his regret
at not being able to attend the meeting
and closing as follows:
while ] am heartily in sympathy with
the object of this meeting. and ardently
hope that the promise held out to us by
this treaty of settling our disputes with
out the threats and rumor of war. SO dis
| turbing TO public peace and business, will
be fulhlled; i regret that a previous en-
gagement. which l cannot postpone. Will
| prevent me from joining in person the dis
tinguished gentlemen who have issued the
| call in approving the principle of arbitra-
published expressing the sentiments of
Cardinals Vaughan and Logue and myself.
1 am sure that. not less ardently than /,
peace will not be in VAIN
The following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
THE citizens Of Washington, in public
meeting assembled, desire 10 attest their
appreciation of the great principle OF inter-
national arbitration, as embodied In the
treaty between this Republic and Great
Britain now pending in the Senate. Believ-
ing this treaty TO be a distinct advance to-
wards the best civilization, and trusting
that it may prove "A helpful example TO
other nations. we shall hail with joy and
patriotic pride its confirmation by the Sen
ate of the United States"