The evening times., 1898-11-21
WI TING FANG FAV0RS
UNIVERSAL PEACE
ARBITRATION THE ONLY WAY
The Chinese Minister Believes That
If America Takes the Initiative
Wars VIII Disappear.

Mr., Wu Ting Fang, the Chinese minis
ter is an advocate of the establishment
of an international arbitration tribunal to
promote universal peace. He believes that
if the United States takes the initiative
there could be no doubt Of ultimate sue
cess.
Il am for peace-unIversal and lasting"
he remarked to a reporter, ''and l think
a vast majority of the people of the
world are of the same mind. The time is
now ripe for an international agreement
which shall preclude the possibility of
physical strife. Every country on the
globe claims it is willing to do anything
honorable to avert war and conflict.
II these nations are in earnest in such
professions. why should they not agree
10 "A proposition TO settle all international
disputes by arbitration?
TO arbitrate all individual differences
in civilized countries courts of law have
been established Two disputing mem
bers of society do not arm themselves
and resort TO physical violence They
carry their differences before a judge and
a jury. So ought it 70 be with nations.
International differences should be sub
mtted TO an international court of arbi-
tration.
This tribunal should consist of rgp e.
sentatIves chosen by every civil Zed coun-
try They could meet in New York, Ber-
lin, Paris. or any other city of the world
consider all cases of dispute between IA
tions and render their verdict. That yer-
dict would be made to stand
The recent conflict between the United
States and Spain cost many lives and
many millions of dollars. A victorious
r;,t gy,,,, f,.
and may receive large indemnities. But
this does not balance the loss to human
ity through physical slaughter.
~ think that a vast majority Of the ma
tions of the world would readily agree
TO enter peace convention. In Ameri-
/ ca for instance both North and s ut6, |
! do not think there is a country or a col
/ ony which does not favor an internation-
I al court. In Europe l do not believe that
/ any difficulty would be experienced in Sc
curing the cooperation of all the 6. eat
nations, and Asiatic countries would be
! glad TO have the opportunity OF ente! ing
! 1t. China would readily send a repreS en-
tative.
AN international arbitration board
would not only promote peace, but would
! serve to accelerate the prosperity of the
| world Nations would be brought into
| closer contact, and a more cordial ard
sympathetic feeling would be cultivated
! Trade and commercial relations wyuld re-
! ceive an impetus.
Nations yet behind in CiVi izati0n and
commerce would have good opportunity
To develop. and the social and financia
conditions of every people on the globe
wou!G be advanced.
Let the United States take the initia-
tive. With its magnificent power ant
/ prestige the effect of its invitations tC
| other nations to establish peace tribu
| nal would be great. The people of the
world would recognize that this country
had no selfish motive
ITO what extent would the disarma
ment propoition of the Car of Russia
| aid peace" Mr.. WI was asked
The Car is a great and good man,
he replied, and his intentions are noble
The disarmament proposition. however
does not go far enough. l think that tn
| easiest and surest road to peace woul,
| be by way of the tribunal"
| Would the formation of secret ALI
! dnces between countries interfere witt
the work of such court?" was asked.
mo, 1t would not" he replied. IF ma
tions decide to form alliances it would no
materially interfere with the function
of the tribunal but of course 1t would b
better if no such alliances existed. 1t i
the general impression that an allianc
exists between Russia and France. If on
of these countries became engaged in
dispute say with some American or Asi
attic nation, the nation in dispute and tn
delegate from Russia would WITHDRAW
from the tribunal.
have talked with members of the d
plomatic corps in Washington, and the
are all favorably impressed with tn
idea. They believe that there could b
no great difficulty in the way of the es
tablishment of the court"