The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-01
THE PEACE CONGRESS-.


THE PEACE CONGRESS-.
There Ia nothing sensational about the
work of the International peace con-
gress. but II Ia doing good work.
Whether or not any very definite plans
are agreed upon. many humane sugges-
tions which have only been accepted in
a negative way heretofore will receive
recognition as . part OF the code Of
honor La warfare.
The most important, of course. will be
the recognition Of arbitration as an hon
orable and usual resort before entering
upon acts Of warfare. There has been a
mistaken sentiment. the relic of bar
barrie age. that It was cowardly and
unmanly to suggest recourse to civil
method Of settling disputes. The powers
are in much the same position that men
were In Europe until within the past
fifty years. and even In the Southern
states more recently still. that any in
duel. So long as public sentiment ac-
cepted that as the only possible course
for asman Of honor. even those who had
conscientious scruples against resort
ing to II were compelled TO yield or for
felt their social standing. When ma
lions differed. the appeal to arms was
considered the only one available
Many nations have been driven to war
by this false notion OF bravery and
honor. Millions of men have been cruel
ly manned on account of quarrels with
whose inception they had nothing to do,
and as TO whose outcome they were In
different. except as ii reflected glory or
dlscredit upon their country. Trivial
disputes have plunged nations into
mourning and misery: the arb.tramen;
of the sword at once puts out of thu
range of controversy the rights of "a
dispute and substitutes sheer brute
strength and the power of money. II Is
natural for the victor 10 retain the
iaurels. not only for strength. but for
the right, but history Is full OF in
stances which later generation has
been compelled to place in the cate
CORY Of political crimes.
Will be 10 set a higher standard. and
instead of IL being considered honorable
Ia declare war. It will be regarded as
the act 81 bully. unless. prior TO en-
fertng upon IT, there has been tender
II an offer to submit the issue to judi
eial determination. The text Of the Rus
sian proposals Is much further adj
vaneea In View than might have been
expected. II was rather anticipated
that. nleritorieus as the Intention Of the
car might be, his ministers would re-
sort To the diplomatic vasuenes's for
which her statesmen are famous. on
the contrary. IL ls found tha, the out
line is distinct and well defined. /, is.
Of course. impossible to provide for com
puisory arbitration. /; would be equally
unwise.. with such diverse Interest," rep
resented, to attempt at the ou,se, to go
too mich into details Although the
propositions are. therefore sornew hat
general In character. they leave no
doubt Of the sincerity or wisdom that
have dictated the proposed terms
II Is laid down as the opinion Of the
contracting powers that II Ia .es rable
| 10 seek \ solution Of international, dis
| pu;es By the mediation OF friendly pow
ers. and II Ia agreed that such good az.
fees. whether sought or preferred. shall
1 hear strictly the character az friendly
/ counsel and in ne way Of compulsory
force. This Is very important step.
II has frequently happened that such
. prefer Was rssrasned from because
cf the fear that IL would be regarded
as ar unwarran,ed interference.
II is made = part o: International law
that arbitration Is the mos, esseaeteus
ard equitable means 81 settling CUES
tsons regarding the application Of
! treaties; and Is Is ADDICTED ~ psrs Of