The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-29
AMERICAN TRIUMPHs AT THE HAGUE


A curious feature of the international
conference which has just closed at The
Hague is that while 1t did nothing towards
securing the specific object for which 1t
was called 1t accomplished important re-
suits in other directions. The first PROPOSE
ton in the original call and the one which
furnished the main motive Of the confer
ence was:
An understanding not to increase for
fixed period the present effective of the
armed military and naval forces, and at
the same time not to increase the budgets
animation of the means by which a reduc-
ton might even be effected in future in the
forces and budgets above mentioned.
This proposition was practically dropped
early in the conference.-the use familiar
phrase it ..got lost in the shuffie'-and the
discussions were directed to the more feas-
vising plan for settling international dis
putes by arbitration. This is a distinctly
American principle, and the outcome is
triumph not only for the principle but for
the American delegates, though they were
ably seconded by the British and some
others. The creation of permanent court
of arbitration for the settlement of inter
national controversies is, without reference
to the details of the plan. an important
step towards preventing war; Editor Stead
says: 1.-The establishment of a permanent
court of arbitration on the American prin-
ciple of revision, plus the French declara-
ton of the duty of neutrals, to recommend
fncr ~ Qrhifro-
ton court rather than TO war, represents
vast progress in the evolution of human
society" The French declaration referred
to Is a sort of rider on the main PROPOSE
ton and was intended to assert the prin-
ciple of mediation as we'll as arbitration.
Arbitration is an American principle. while
mediation is a European practice and is
often mere meddling. The United States is
not given to meddling in the affairs of other
nations. and in accepting the French amend
ment our delegates made the following dec
| laration:
The delegation of the United States, in
signing the convention regulating the peace
| able settlement of international conflicts. as
proposed by the international peace confer
ence, makes the following declaration
Nothing contained I'm this convention shall
States to depart from it's traditional policy
of not entering upon. interfering with or
| entanging itself in the political questions
| or internal administration of any for
| eign state. Nor shall anything in said con-
| vention be construed TO require the relin-
| quishment by the United States of Its ira
| ditional attitude toward purely American
questions.
This was accepted by the conference and
| virtually made a part OF the arbitration
| scheme as far as the United States is con-
cerned. This was another triumph for the
United States. for 1t saves the Monroe doc
| trine In effect Ii declares that in accept
| ing the principle of mediation as we'll as ar
| bltration we do not bind ourselves TO in
| tervene in purely European affairs or To
permit European intervention in purely
| American affairs. The Monroe doctrine has
| never had as formal and distinct recogni-
| ton as the acceptance of this declaration
by the various powers represented at The
Hague gives II. Heretofore 1t has. to a large
extent, had the sanction of international
usage. but its acceptance by The Hague
conference gives 1t the sanction OF interna'
tional law Some persons thought our wal
| with Spain and especially our taking over
the Philippines put II out of our power
hereafter consistently to assert the Monroe
doctrine. However this may have been. its
acceptance by the conserees at The Hague
gives II new life and force. Hereafter nc
European statesman can say that the
Monroe doctrine has never been recognized