The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-04
MANY URGE ARBITRATION
PRESBYTERIANS DISCUSS THE ANGLO
TRANSVAAL SITUATION.
Action ON q Resolution ImplOring
Both Parties ia Seek a Peaceful
Settlement Postponed.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-The Transvaal
situation formed the basis of animated dis
cussion in the council Of the Pan-Presby-
terrain Alliance to-day. The controversy
arose over a resolution introduced by DR..
Cyrus Cort, of Sabillasville, Nd, urging ar
bitration upon the governments Of Great
Britain and the Transvaal in connection
with the present crisis. The resolution was
as follows:
That in the name Of the Prince OF
Peace himself we earnestly deplore and
deprecate any resort to the terrible arbi-
trament of war in the settlement of the
pending difficulties between the govern
ments of Great Britain and the Trans
vaal Republic, and implore both parties TO
seek more earnestly a solution of the ques-
tons at issue by recourse to methods OF in
ternational arbitration, so recently recog-
nized and commended by representatives
of all civilized governments on the face OF
the earth"
DIR. Cort, the author Of the resolution,
moved that it be sent to the business COM
mittee, but the motion met with vigorous
opposition on the part of members who OBJ
jected to giving it any recognition what
ever. A substitute was offered postpon-
irg the whole subject until Thursday, when
the general question of arbitration Will be
under consideration. The discussion of the
two motions was brief, but very spirited.
and brought out representatives from the
two countries interested. DR.. Lang, or
GLASGOW, and DIR. Matthews. Of London,
representing Great Britain, and DR.. F. j..
G.. Meiring, of johannesburg, the Trans
vaal.
DR.. Lang was promptly on his feet to OBJ
ject to consideration of the resolution. he
thought it would be wiser and more digni-
fed to make no reference to the present
CRISIS. however we'll it might be to take a
position OH the general subject of arbitra-
ton. DIR. Beattie, of Louisville, KY,
thought that as the resolution dealt with
politics it had no place in the proceedings OF
the council.
DIR. Meiring seconded the motion to refer
to the business committee and made a prie1
sueech. He declared that the resolution was
misconstrued in that it was believed to be
n%olitical in nature. 1t was not intended TO
enter that sphere, as the resolution did not
go into the merits of the issue between Great
Rritain and the Transvaal. The only effect
of its adoption would be in the line OF the
action of the council a year ago In urging
arbitration between the Gnitea STATES aere anu
ed alike to exhaust all possible means 10
find a peaceable solution OF their differences.
lection to such a course. What was the use
of general declarations II no application
could be made of them?
DR.. Meiring's address was received with
warm applause and he was Immediately fol-
lowed by DIR. Matthews, general secretary
of the alliance, who declared that the pont-
ical question was to be found In the very
heart of the resolution, as was evidenced by
the treatment Of Great Britain and the
Transvaal as two nations, whereas the con-
troversy was between a nation and a part
slight hubbub and a number in the rear of
the church rose and loudly declared that the
Transvaal was an independent republic.
The vote on the two motions resulted in a
tie, eighty votes being cast on each side.
The chair then cast the deciding vote In
day.
The alliance received standing a letter
from the secretary to President Mckinley
in reply to the letter of the alliance TO the
President of the 18th ult., saying that he
was authorized by the President to assure
the alliance of his sincere appreciation of
the sentiments expressed therein"
The report of the business committee
recommended that no formal action be
taken on Hon. Samuel Smiths resolution
condemning the growth of sacerdotalism in
the Anglican Church on the ground that IL
was not the custom of the council to inter
fere in the affairs of other churches. The
report was adopted without debate.
A recommendation of the business COM
mittee to the effect that a greeting should
upon her ascension to the throne as the
only Presbyterian sovereign and as the rep
resentative of a long line Of Protestants was
also adopted. The business committee also
recommended the election of Rev. William
Caven, D. d., principal OF Knox College,
lance and the recommendation prevailed
unanimously.