New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-16
NEUTRALIZ4TION.

Few people expect anything in the direction
of disarmament of the Powers to result from
the Peace Conference Even an agreement
among the nations TO limit themselves to their
present ornaments appears to be surrounded
with almost insurmountable difficulties. But
there is a great possibility Of benehcent ar
rangements for making wars less likely and
for decreasing their horrors. Writers are busy
with suggestions on various phases Of the sub
icct such as the extension of the Geneva Con-
ventlon TO make fighting still more humane than
the laws Of civilized warfare now require. and
for the addition OF new articles 10 the Declare
ton of Paris further protecting private prop
erty. Many plans for arbitration are proposed.
and some of them are by no means entirely
fanciful. Still another plan TO relieve Europe
from the burden Of militarism Is the extension
of naturalization. such as now exempts Switzcr-
land Belgium and Luxembourg from the ne
cessity Of keeping guard against powerful and,
but for the neutrallzing compact perhaps ag-
gressive neghbors.
This attractive scheme is advocated most
tactfuly by Mr. Leonard Courtney in The
Contemporary Review" He recognizes that
naturalization might be regarded by some ma
tons to which armies are really crushing
loads as an insult rather than a boon. Never
theless he thinks some addition TO the list OF
States whose integrity Is guaranteed might be
made at once. and cautious diplomacy might
gradually bring the conmon-sense OF some
other peoples to overcome their pride. The
Norwegians have already petitioned their King
TO secure the naturalization Of Norway by the
conference. but II Is uncertain II they would
care TO be neutralized along with Sweden, or
II their naturalization alone would not be re-
garded as n step In furtherance OF an anti
Swedish intrigue Mr.. Courtney suggests Hol-
lard in spite Of its colonial empire, as fit
subject for guarantees Other countries natu-
rally come to mind as In even more need Of
such relief. but when we consider their cases
many practical difficulties appear.
Spain. OF course would be better off to aban-
don all pretenson 10 being military Power.
Indeed she might safely do so without any
compact OF Europe. The Pyrenees are n natu-
raj boundary which no nation Is likely TO cross,
! or. II aroused TO cross, are not likely 10 be
deferred by treaties. but only by the same
force of other nations which would almost in
evtably be called into play In case any coun-
| try attempted such conquest Spain Is now
and then considered as n factor In European
military problems. France at war could gain
an army corps II Spain were friendly and her
enemy could diminish French power In other
directions by getting Spain TO threaten the
southern frontier. But such a contingency Is
remote. Spain * really armed not against ex-
ternal foes. but against revolution at home.
The army Is an instrument Of government, and
II may I've doubted II the Spanish people would
long obey n Government with mere police
force. Pride counts for something, and the
tendency TO revolution Is not 80 entirely found
Oh IN real grievance that the danger Of dynas-
tic upheavals would vanish with the lifting of
the military tax load.
Portugal is az much at the mercy Of Europe
ne II II did not have single soldier. Any Pow
or could conquer 1t II It wished, and the other
Powers would permit IT, and naturalization
would merely mean the formal agreement not
| 10 permit it. The trouble there Is PRIDE ana
dynastlc necessities The proposition to sell