The San Francisco call., 1897-03-12
ALL NOT FOR
ARBITRATION
Scenes Of Wild Disorder
at the Ratification
Meeting.
William H. Lynn Almost Creates
a Riot by Denouncing Great
Britain.
But Resolut ons Favoring the Treaty
Are PASSED. and the Asse m blage
Finally Atjourrs


more enthusiastic or more thoroughly
cosmopolitan audience than crowded its
space to the doors tonight to give express
sion and approval to the ratification of
the arbitration treaty now pend ing in the
United States Senate.
The hall was tastefully decorated with
flags and bunting, the colors of all na-
tions being displayed in conspicuous
places throughout. Prominent represen-
tative New York citizens were represented
on the lists of sgners of the call for the
meeting.
Mayor Strong presided as chairman and
delivered brief speech, in which he said:
1--WE are called to give our indorse-
ment to that expression of one of the
greatest military men OF his time, Let as
have peace We want that peace not at
the point OF the sword or at the mouth of
the cannon, but by arbitration. 1t would
be impossible 10 draw up a treaty that
would please all citizens; but the best
citizens of all parties and all creeds join
in advocating the present treaty now
pending in the Senate.
Hon. Seth Low was introduced as the
first speaker. He said: International law
is binding on the Nation. There is no
tribunal in existence to enforce interna-
tional law. Such thing as systematic ar
bitration is unknown. 1t is a great thing
when two nations say. we Will not go to
war for five years This treaty is the be-
ginning of new era in spreading law.
Without the details the treaty itself snould
make it acceptable 10 all"
The speaker then spoke of the work of
England in advancing civilization. "Our
mi ssion is the same" he said. This arbi-
tration treaty strengthens the chances of
the two Anglo Saxon nations to walk
hand ID hand together in advancing civ
ilization.''
Hon. Charles s. Fairchild then read the
following resolutions:
WHEREAS, After long and patient negotia-
tions a treaty for the FILTRATION, within
specified limits and by specified methods of
matters in difference between the United
States and Great Britain was signed on the
11th day of January last by the respective
plenipotentiaries OF the two nations; and
whereas, the United States has always been
an earnest advocate of international arbitra-
ton; and whereas, the proposed treaty, which
is for the trial term OF only five years, is
marked throughout With great conservatism
and caution; therefore
Res0{red. That in accord with our fellow
citizens throughout the land. we respectfully
petition our National Senate for the rGtifca-
ton OF the treaty rs signed by the representa-
tives of The high contracting parties.
Resolred, That we heartily concur in the
declaration of our honored Chief Magistrate
that "the treaty presents in the word the
glorious example OF reason and peace, not
passion and war, controlling the relations be-
ftva tIun of ha noti of
world-an example certain to be followed by
others" And in his further unqualified dec
aration that. 1.-THE importance and moral in
fuence of the ratification OF such treaty can
hardly be overes timated in the cause of ad-
vancing civilization"
AS the chairman was about to put the
question OH their adoption William H.
Lynn rose and asked to be heard. Per-
mission was given and Mr.. Lynn M ade an
address which fairly set tho audience
frantic. AS he progressed in his speech it
looked very much as if any moment riot
would be begun. The cheers as he spoke
were at times deafening and com pletely
drowned the Kisses which came from
those in the front row. The police were
unable to cope with the crowd and stood
helpless while those on the platform grew
white and red in the face by turns and ex-
citedly jumped to their feet, cne after the
other and tried to interrupt Mr.. Lynn.
He said: Before adopting the resolu-
tions we should stop and pause. Who
wants this arbtration?
He then went on TO say that England
had broken the treaty of 1912 and raised
troops and built war vessels for the Con-
federacy during the Civil War and so gain
broke her treaty.
"The spirit of New York is against such
resolutions. Great cheers.l l care not
for the depreciation OF securities; l care
more for the depreciation OF American
patriotism. We can have no peace with
the robber nation. England. Tonight
The Greeks are defending their hum BILE
brothers in Crete. while England with
arms and guns is forcing that unfortunate
reople by coercion under the Turk. TAp-
plause.
IA treaty with Government that has
permitted the ArmeniaDs to be sIaught-
cred by thousands [applausel +; treaty
with nation that has broken every obll-
CATION and violated every pledge of honor
she ever made! [Great applause We are
a peaceful Nation and we will maintain
that peaceful attitude with honor that we
have always maintained. Applause. We
ask no war, but in the words of the great
Washington, which this call does not in
corporate tonight, we seek no Ell ntengling
alliance with foreign nations Applause
A treaty that upon it's face reads five
years means forever" Applause
Mr.. Lynn proposed the following reso-
Iutions for & substitute for those already
presented.
WHEREAS, The United States following the
sage advice OF George Washington and the
fathers OF the Republic, has ever avoided en-.
tangling alliances with European powers, and
purs ued Its path in peaceful progress untram-
meled by treaties restricting its beneficent
interest in the Western Hemisphere; and
whereas, the Monroe doctrine is the practi-
cally accepted code of International law pre-
yailng on this continent; and whereas, the
arbitration treaty, now pending before the
Senate OF the United States, is so lacking in
clearuess of language and SO complicated in
construction as to iuvolve danger of a re-
versal of the time-honored policy of Washing
ton in the setting aside of the Monroe doc
trine; therefore, be 1t
Resolred, That we. citizens OF New York, in
mass meeting assembled, respectfully urge
upon the Senate the unqualified rejection OF
said arbitration treaty with England.
Great applause greeted the reading OF
these resolutions.
Mr.. Lynn had not yet taken his seat
when Seth Low, who had been assisting