The San Francisco call., 1899-06-11
THE PEACE CONFERENCE AT THE
HAGUE.

TIL T various sections Of the Peace Conference at
The Hague are hard at work. and so far the
converging point OF their deliberations appears
to be the establishment OF international tribunal
OF arbitration submission to which is to be optional
AS to Details naturally there IS much divergence OF
opinion, and suggestions pouring in from the
representatives OF the powers.
1t would be premature now to anticipate the prac-
tca outcome OF the conference But the fact that the
governing nations are delberating upon the subject
of peace is in itself of deep significance I'm
doubtedly whether definite scheme or plan is sue
cessfully formulated not, the modern tendency to
arbitrate national disputes that do involve ques-
tons of existence or OF honor will be accelerated 1t
has not been generally observed that the wars OF this
century have been less destructive and less expensive
the aggregate than those OF the eighteenth century,
and that peaceable settlements between nations both
in Europe and America have been the rule even
under exasperatng conditions. AS fine writer un-
der the pseudonym OF Diplomaticus has pointed out
there have been many efforts, sincere and insincere
in the direction OF peace. The conception of dis
armament was a favorite theme with Frederick the
Great Napoleon Bonaparte at ST Helena after
deuging Europe with blood and decimating the
manhood OF France claimed that his central thought
bad been the extirpaOn of war by the revival in
Europe OF the Amphictyonic Council OF Greece
no less operative in modern times The Holy AL
lance OF 1875 was ostensby formed in the interests
Of peace Louis Napoleon suggested proportional
disarmament among European powers by revision
OF treaties When the treaty of Paris was framed in
1886 Lord Clarendon obtained ineffective declara-
ton in favor of international consultation before acts
Of war were perpetrated. Such a covenant was
adopted in reference to controversies between Turkey
and European states, and in the demands that pre-
ceded the Russo Turkish war Russia acted as an in
ternatonal agent, although in the war itself she was
isolated.
These are familiar instances which illustrate the
fact that for a century more, and especially dur
ing the last eighty years rulers have had some per-
ception OF the ultimate necessity of superceding
armies and navies by negotiation. Although the goal
is still very remote advances toward it have been
substantial and notable during the last thirty five
years The Geneva arbitration between Great Britain
and the United States substantial movement
toward lasting amity between the two great English
speaking nations The withdrawal of warships from
the Great Lakes another guarantee against the
precipitation OF hostites between the same leaders
OF modern civilization The settlement of the
Venezuelan dispute still further aided the cause OF
treaty established permanent arbitration between
seventeen republics, some of them in South America
and since that year Great Britain has entered into
ten treaties of arbitration
Distant, therefore, though the time may be when
the sword is TO be broken and the wolf and the lamb
feed together and the lion to eat straw it can
be denied that the proclamation of the Gar and
the discussions OF the Peace Conference accord with