The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-28

ss-rzraert CT war II the decision os the
tribunal we're SO unjust tnat u wounded
cur rrsze. No very serious difference be-
tween tas TO nations viii ever oe decided
bw tire court Of arostrattoz- II any 1uss-
ton vital 70 the integrity or honor Of this
ration o. OK Grez, Britain ever stt-s ths
people there viii be war trSpIte OF tAs
treaty
Ii Is true that we bind ourselves 20 -
governed by TIE decision o. the final coun-
81 % Be selected in case % the disagree
rrens OF the ordinary tribunal. but before
a selection could be made o. that court
the dogs o. war would be lei loose II
England .nsultsd Us or sought 20 wrest
from US anything we claim TO be ours. or
assumed any authority 81 force over any
part OF ths continent beyond the present
boundaries OF her possessions.
The American people need not fear that
the treaty would be regarded for mo-
merit IN the presence OF any intentional
or extraordinary violation CT the comfy
% nations WHAT we have reason 10 de-
sire 20 avert and what the treaty Is IN
tended 20 avert. In q hasty assumption
that an act OF either government Is IN
tended 10 De unjust or offensive TO the
other. During the past thirty years there
have been several occasions when a sud-
den ouiburst OF passion has magnihsd an
anront which a calmer view has shown
70 be unlntentionaL
The agreement that arbitration shall Re
resorsed 20 before war IL declared and the
provision OF court OF honor. made In a
time when the public mind l. tranquil and
better able TO see things inlpartiajiy, has
the very desirable effect OF at once placing
a difficulty in such shape that its true
merits can be brought 70 light. The value
OF sucn provision was seen In the Vsae-
zUeisn controversy. Had unwise councils
prevailed. a little strip of territory and q
dispute over a few dates and descriptions.
might have plunged the two great civilized
powers In a desperate and saESuina-y
war The danger is that when little
friction arises the primary trouble Is lost
sight OF and the fight that follows Is duo
less TO the Importance OF the cause or the
interest In IT Of the combatsnts than to
the anger and stuobornaess which grow
and thrive by nursing.
Once a quarrel Is opened II Is difficult
for those engaged to agree upon terms Of
arbitration Each side fears TO suggest
IL lest he be suspected by the other OF
weakening. and each move OF the other
In the preliminaries OF laying down rules
and selecting members OF the tribunal Is
watched with suspicion and ill-feeling. II
is now, when no Issue embroils the two
nations and when either may In a friend
ly way make suggestions without mis-
giving or hesitancy. that the path should
be laid down which shall lead TO perma-
nent peace.
There has never been In the history Of
the world such spectacle as these two
nations present in this voluntary agree
ment to submit differences to the sublime
decree OF justice instead OF to the fry
and brutality OF bloody war, whose de-
clsions carry no proof OF right nor insure
punishment for wrong. Right does not
always prevail; that which prevails has to
be accepted as the right. but 1t is a cruel,
illogical. inhuman and unciviiized arbltra-
ment. The glory OF success is a sham.
the triumph OF right Is the end and aim
OF all purposes fn space and eternity.