New-York tribune., 1899-05-25
AS TO ARBITRATION.

Two interesting dispatches come to hand con-
cernng arbitration. One, from a geherahy
well-nformed correspondent, says the RUSSIAN
delegates at the Peace Congress have been IN
structed by the Emperor to deal with the
question OF realizing compulsory arbitration
Whether they are to deal favoraby or unfa-
vorably with 1t is not stated. but we may as
sume the former to be the case. The second
disnatch. in a paper not particularly friendly TO
this country, and probably from correspond
ent particularly unsympathetc II not actually
hostile to u.s. says the United States Is wholly
in favor of arbitration. Whether the CORE
spondent means compulsory arbitration does
not appear II he does not his report Is sane
enough. though hopelessy trite and inconse-
nuentisl. OF course the United States Is In IA
vor of arbitration He might as well have said
Germany IS in favor OF Imperialism or there
are no snakes in Iceland. But II he means
compulsory arbitration his statement that this
country favors 1t is to be challenged and con-
tradlcted in the most positive manner.
Arbitration is an American doctrine. 1t Is an
American policy and practice. But the essential
feature of II. from the American point of view,
is that II shall be voluntary. Two independent
and sovereign Powers, having between them
some matter Of dispute, failing TO settle 1t by
NEGOTIATIONS between themselves, and regard
ing it as a matter which may properly be
passed upon by a third party as an umpire,
voluntarily agree to submit 1t to the arbltra-
ment of such an umpire, and pledge themselves
upon their honor, to abide by the decision. That
IS arbitration in the American sense. 1t is not
COMPULSORY. Each nation retains its individual
sovereignty and It's individual right to deter
.l,a hQ vvh -
II could. in Justice to its own dignity and in
terrlty. submit to the arbitrament OF third
Power. Then. having decided that 1t may thus
be submitted and having thus submitted 1t, the
nation is absolutely bound in honor to abide by
the result, and no material compulsion IS need
ed to execute the mandate Of the tribunal.
| That is true arbitration, whether between ma
tions or between individuals.
Compulsory arbitration would be far diff
ferent thing. 1t would In the first place, in
| fringe upon the sovereignty Of the nation. 1t
would place some alien Power above the ma
| tion's own government. Then, as nation
forced against It's will to enter court Of arbtra
ton would feel itself. and indeed would be, un-
der no obligation of morals or honor to accept
the verdict, tremendous international police
force would be necessary to enforce the decree
|
not for reduction but for increase Of arma-
ments; not for peace, but for war. suppose, Tor
example. Spain should make claim upon the
United States for the retrocesslon OF Florida
Under the present system. II the United States
refused to arbitrate the matter, Spain might 60
to war. and the case would speedily be settled
by conflict between these two countries But
IL compulsory arbitration were in vogue, Spain
might appeal to the European Powers. The
United States would he summoned into court
| If the judgment were against this country, and
1t refused TO acquescc in II, all the European
Powers would have TO band together to com
pei ii to do So Instead Of n war between this
country and SPAIN therefore, there would be
n war between US and all Europe. And in view
of the possibility of such contingency arising
every nation would have to maintain an army
and navy sufficient TO defend itself against al
possible combinations against IT,
No; compulsory arbitration is out Of the ques
ton. The United States Is not going to agree tc
abrogate its own independence and sovereignty
and TO let any combination OF European Powers
set up tribunal or government superior to thai
at Washington. II the great Powers of Europe
can establish such suzerainty over the small
States, which indeed exist only on their suf
ferance, they may do so. There will be nc
such suzerainty over the United States OF
America. And we do not believe that Great
Britain or Germany, or Russia herself, Is go
ing 10 bind herself to submit 10 the rule OF an,
alien tribunal. Voluntary arbitration Is benefi
cent and practicable Compulsory arbitration
Is impracticable and mschlevous The one |,
saying, "Come and let us reason together" The