New-York tribune., 1899-07-07
THE OUTCOME AT THE HAGUE.

II is now pOssibe to reckon with some propa-
bilty Of accuracy what will he the net out
come of the international Peace Congress al
The Hague The moral influence or II VIII
beyond doubt he considerable. That was as
sured from the beginning provided, OF course
that no untoward incident caused the congress
70 break up in general quarrel There has
been no such incident and will in all proba-
hitv he none An admirable disposition OF
tolerance and respect has prevailed, and VIII
doubtless be maintained to the end. Ihere
are radical differences Of opinion, frankly and
forciblv expressed. But there. is likewise the
essential recognition of the sincerity or ad-
verse opnion and Of the equal right OF each
nation TO its individual policy. The exercise OF
such a spirit must have a benehcent result
Men and nations will have come TO regard each
other with an access of respect to appreciate
each other more truly, and 10 see themselves
NJ least TO an additional degree, as others see
them. Those things will make for peace
So far as the detailed, technical and concrete
results are concerned, the process or ehmna-
zion which has been carried on now leaves only
two or three things which we may reasonably
hope to see put into practice. One Is arpi'ra-
tjon That was mentioned in the RUSSIAN
arenda. by which the Congress has chiefly Deeh
directed. The first suggestion was that OF
compulsory arbitration. To II so strong an op-
position was developed that there seemed dah-
ger the whole idea of arbitration would De re-
iected Happily. the American principle OF VOL
untary arbitration was put forward with Doth
tact and force, and thus the day was saved
The outlook now is that workable scheme OF
general arbitration, before a permanently or
ganized tribunal, with permanent rules or pro-
cedure. will be enacted into international law
That alone. If IL he effected will amply repay
the nations for the holding Of the Congress
There is no more potent preventive or war
than the spirit Of mutual consideration ana
cancellation, which Is the essential principie OF
arbitration If two nations are willing 10 SUD
NIT their differences to the Judgment OF an
umpire there Is little danger OF war Detween
them.
A second result will probably be the serious
consideration Of the principle OF the exemption
of private property at sea from capture OF
destruction In case Of war The present con-
cress NAV not directly act upon that PROPOSE
tion because OF the idea. not altogether COM
mendable, that II Is restricted In its action 10
the topics actually specified in detail IN the
Russian Governments agenda. The congress
has however permitted the matter to he laid
before Il and discussed in some detail, ana
has unanimously voted to refer 1t to another
Congress. 10 be held hereafter, for definite ac-
tion. This must be regarded as great step
forward. and a gain for a principle second only
70 arbitration as a prophylactic against the
evils Of war The effect which would he
wrought by the enactment OF that prlnc1pe
into international law would be incalculably
great Hitherto the destruction or seizure or
an enemv's commerce has been regarded as one
of the prime factors in naval war. FOR that
nnrnose n whole class Of ships frankly called
commerce destroyers, has been created. Inc
chief talk concerning a naval war has had ret-
erence to the annihilaton of the enemys com
merce and the actual starving or the enemy
by cutting off all means Of supply. II IL be de-
creed that In case Of war all peace1ul COM
merce shall proceed without interruption or
danger the whole character and scope Of naval
warfare will be changed.
II IL q source Of no little gra tification That
both these principles are distinctlvely Ameri-
can. We have already referred TO aroltratloh
ms such. at least in the form IN which 1t has
won the favor Of the Congress. Even more
distlnctivelv American IS the principle OF prl-
vote nroperty rights at sea. From the founda-
tion of this Government the United states has
been committed 10 II. For more than half n
century It has been actively urging IT, In the
nrescnt Congress 1t has fought the battle for II
practically single handed. Without undue
hoasting. then. we may reckon that this coun-
trv will have contributed the major part of the
practical and concrete results of the Congress
The Nation which yesterday was regarded by
others with "a certain condescension,' If not
as a negligible quantity, thus becomes lead
ing factor In the parliament Of the Powers.
The Nation which, according 10 some of It's
own faith lacking folk, was incurring the hos
tillty Of all the world. and was driving the
whole world into increased militarism Is to-
day the foremost in making for peace and
goodwill.