New-York tribune., 1899-07-19
AN ARBITRATION SCHEME.
FOR USE WHEN ONE PARTY PREFERS
WAR TO ARBITRATION

WAR TO ARBITRATION.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: write 10 The Tribune as the most impor-
tant and most esteemed Republican newspaper in
America to make some suggestions TO the
scheme OF the American representatives at the
Conference at The Hague with reference to ar
bitration in International disputes.
II appears to me that a very important point
with reference to arbitration has been over
looked. namely. what could be done by arbitra-
ton to prevent war or to terminate If al
ready begun In the event Of one Of the two op-
posed Governments desiring arbitration while
the other was averse to II. II seems TO me de-
sirable that IN such a case the Government
which was desirous OF arbitration Crobably the
weaker party) should be entitled to appear be-
fore the Arbitration Court which the Conference
seems likely to establish. and that that Court
should in the first instance request the Govern
rnent which had refused arbitration TO reconsider
its decision and to send three representatives 10
state its case before II: and II ii declined TO do
so. then the Court should nominate three emil
nent authorities on international law TO argue
the case on behalf Of that Government, and
after hearing both sides should give It's decision.
II this decision were against the Government
which solicited an award then the country in
volved would no doubt make such offers to It's
opponent as would be consistent with the de-
cision OF the Court. and II the award were IN
favor Of the Government which had asked for
arbitration then probably the other Govern
rnent would be constrained by the public opinion
Of the civilized world to offer reasonable terms
OF peace TO its opponent.
Unless some such system is established by
the Conference 1t will achieve little nothing.
for great Powers will almost always refuse arbi-
tration in case Of disputes with lesser Powers
than themselves. In the case Of the dispute
between Germany and Denmark about Sches-
wig -Holstein the Germans, being immeasurably
stronger than the Danes would never have
agreed to arbitration, as they were absolutely
certain to win; and in the case Of the Franco
German War neither party would have consent
ed 10 arbitration as each side thought Itself the
stronger. and each considered itself perfectly
ready and certain to win. The Americans are
the only people who have ever been willing to
encounter the risks and losses Of war with
one Of the greatest European Powers on behalf
OF a weak and insignificant nationality to which
they were not under the slightest obligation.
and In whose cause they had no pecuniary or
other interest or advantages. I refer TO the
threat Of war with England on the Venezuelan
boundary question which is now about to be set
tied by arbitration. I therefore trust that my
suggestion. which favors the weak against the
strong. the unready against the ready, will
meet with the appreciation Of Americans sener-
ally and Of yourself in particular.
quite concur in your views about the con-
duct Of the Philippine campaign. and thlnK
that II a sufficient force had been sent at nrst
(as you sugges ed II a blockade had been
esta blished and a sufficient price had been Of
fered for the seizure Of Aguinaldo, who sold his
country to the spaniard on the occasion Of the
rebellion. the whole OF the islands would have
submitted without any war. D.
London. England June l9, 1888