New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
WHY NOT UNIVERSAL ARBITRATION,
FOR PEACE BY UNITED ACTION OF
o ,he Editor OF The Tribune.

To ,he Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The treaty of arbitration between the United
States and Great Britain undoubtedly EN- bodies the
opinion OF enlightened mankind that some less bar
barous and lneQuitabe method than war should be
devised for adjusting the differences between nations
The international horizon has OF late been full OF
radiant signs that some such event was impending
The consciences OF England and America. that had
been sleeping the abolition OF slavery and the
close Of our Civil War, clearly disturbed by
unquiet dreams All these later years the
,res have had little exercise OF the moral in
cher diplomatic and economic intercourse They
have been chiefly employed with sordid concerns
with tariffs and schedules, with dollars and cents
The loud and bitter cutlery against the OF
possible war between America and England that
supposed 10 reside in the assert!on Of the Monroe
Doctrine last year awoke both countries OF this
economic dream. Let US have peace was the fna
uiierance OF the ripened judgment OF Americas
creates, soldier To the awakened conscience OF
America the time has seemed ripe for the applica
ton in the concrete Of this solemn message OF her
great captain. The treaty means that, so far as
the relations between the United States and Great
Britain are concerned, the implements OF
be reegated TO the lumber room OF obsolete mpedi-
II means that for the present AT least reason
and justice shall take the place Of brute force in
governing these relations.
The enlargement of this plan 20 comprehend all
the civilized nations OF earth is the proposition that
Is now loudly knocking al the worlds door for
sderation and acceptance. The worlds best thought
has en- markedly and powerfully turning toward
this solution Of the most terrible problem that ever
vexs1 ne faculties OF In the fash OF sanity
and Size that has recently illumned civilization IL
is now mindless and nequitable is war as the
means OF settling disputes between nations. II Is
simply ne trial OF brute force Civilized men do not
settle their differences in this way The judgment OF
the court of last resort is hnality which NOBODY
thinks o. dspuung Differences between State and
s1a4 in he
same way-through the srb.tramen of the highest
-baasl In the land-the Supreme Court OF the United
s,ates How absurd and barbarous it would be for
individuals and communities 10 settle these matters
by fighting each other.
Is Il less absurd. barbarous and inhumane for
lions 20 settle their differences by the savageres OF
war. instead Of through the adjudicatons OF a ri
oura IN which fact reason and justice would prevail?
ne time s ripe for change. The world IL growing
ashamed Of this brsiness and oruta. Of settling
Questions OF right England and America had been
sropins afe7 solution OF this problem in hesat-
ing anc tentative way. through spasmodicaiy en-
poyed courts Of arbitration. 1t had been successfully
employed in several instances in satisfactorily and
e1itaoiy settling grave and menacing international
aspuies The step In the orderly logic Of events
.ss the negotiation between these Two countries OF
me treaty Of arbitration.
shsl the benencen, reform ston here? Or shall all
's civilized nations of earth erect into permanent
regular tribunal the idea embodied in this treaty?
e'hef words, why should there not be established
~ International Court OF Arbitration, or interna-
-. supreme Court. before which all questions that
$50 not De settled in the ordinary way through
-. SmAnc agencies. should 20 for hearing argument
- adjudication? Can anybody doubt that this
49, only be anticipating by few years or dec
fu,, feature OF the civilization OF The near
fi s,ep instead OF advancing TO 1t by slow and pain
N al single stride and reach the goal at once
' VI some That civilization can only