The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-01
The Cars Confer
ence Upheld.
A VITAL QUESTION.
The United States Should
Take a Leading Part.

no the Editor of The Worcester Spy:
VIII you kindly make room in your
columns for the following letter: the
subject treated is of national import
ance and should receive national con-
sideration. 1t is hoped that all who may
read this, and find good in it, will en-
deavor to make it yet more publicly
considered, and acted upon.
1t is surely a matter for regret that
so little has been done in this country
in answer to the cars proposal for
conference on the limitation of national
armament. We have been asked cas-
one of the governments whose repre-
sentatives are accredited to the i'm
perfal court'D to take part in this con-
ference, and yet the only corporate
body which has placed itself on record
in this matter is the Boston Association
of Ministers, and in that city also the
largest of the detail work has been
done, which has this end in view.
There are several reasons why the
United States should be well represent
ed at this conference, one of which is
given by President Mckinley when he
wrote in his message to congress. ''this
question can have for US no practical
Importance save as marking an aus
pfctous step towards the 'betterment of
the conditions of the modern people
and the cultivation of peace and good
VIII among them: but in this view it be-
hooves US to lend couutenance and aid
TO the beneficient project" That We
nave already realized the intense "prac-
teal Importance of this project is seen
IN our restricted immigration bills for
We certainly do not wish 10 debar any
one from entering the United States
merely because they are foreigners.
Another reason Of vital interest for
US is that of our European commerce.
1t will be admitted that the car used
the grim truth when he wrote in his
proposal that on account Of the burden
or excessive and increasing military and
naval expenditures, nations la Dor and
capital are for the major part diverted
rom thelr natural application and I'M
DrOducuNely consumed. National
culture, economic progress and the
production of wealth are either
paralyzed or checked in development"
Here. indeed, viii the United States
lind another point of national concern,
Tor our exports to Europe are more
than three times rs much as those to
ana IN the last official report of our
commercial relations, they amounted to
nearly nine hundred millions of dollars
= what brings harm to Europe's indus
tries Will also hurt ours, and vet it has
+ heen SAID that we have but little in
terest IN the matter, because "the sit
uatton TO which the car addressed
his famous manifesto is purely and
strictly European situation. since the
Uhted states is in no sense a military
power, and. therefore not interested in
the possible reduction of ornaments.
rms brings me to another point
Ihere is popular misconception that
the czars appeal was for an entire and
rapid disarmament. But he saws moth
ing about disarmament. though he
does speak of the possible reduction
Oh the excessive ornaments which
weigh upon all nations" Doubtless
disarmament will come in the future
but 1t viii come as the natural evolu
uon from the proposed reduction of ex-
conference
The third article of the expected con-
terence program speaks of IAN agree
,ment that when the powers differ. they
small always call in as nledfators or
seconds, friendly neutrals who SHAH
nave an opportunity of intervening 10
compose the quarrel before the sword
IS actually unsheathed This is an
other reason which urges the United
Htates 10 take part in this conference
ana since it will be admitted that ac-
lions speak louder than words We
should take a supreme part therein. for
as the Rev. DR.. +. e Hale said In n
recent sermon, the United States OF
america is the great peace society Of
HISTORY: A century ago there were
u bankrupt. War-Worn. Jealous lit+Ie
provinces stretched starving along the
SANDS OF the western Atlantic: 10 states
dli1erent in origin, in interests. in
religion, in commerce. in habits of life
in education. But they united. ana he
cause they united, in one centurv's time
lhey become As states; they make the
strongest empire in the world. r. MIN
flbus unum, as our fathers choose o11r
motto Why, there have been uuestions
OF boundary since my own memory
Such as have COnVulsed EurOpe ana
South America hundred times in 10
centuries, such as are breeding war in
Inc world today Between Masearb11-
sets and Rhode Island between Iowa
and Missouri, have been such Questions
And yet men have already forgotten
lhaI lhey ever existed. Why do we
not know of wars about them. as those
which have conVulsed Italy until our
own time2 Because the wisdom of the
fathers, IN the provideuA q, of God nm
DER the gospel of Jesus (hrist created
- permanent tribunal. a supreme court
which should hear all such questions
and 'decide them without appeal 10
arms. A supreme court supreme in
deed; higher than president, higher
than senates or assemblies, higher Than
governors or councils or. separa re-
states. 1t speaks; men hear and they
obey"
"Of 20 plans which win be laid before
this conference-where at last such
plans can be considered-that which
now has the greatest sanction is that
wrought by the bar association of New
York. 1t was drawn up by a speciaI
committee Of the distinguished lawyers
OF the city Of New York, after careful
consideration, and it received the APP
proYal-unanimous, or almost unani-