New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-11
LONDON NOTES.
ENGLISH TRIUMPH AT THE HAGUE-rBB
ARCHBISHOPS' DELIVERANCE-END
OF A DULL SESSION.

ing English claim 10 pre-eminence In prao
tlcal ability at the Congress BY comforting a
peerage upon Sir Julian Pauncefote she Ia.
interviewed the most pacific Of sovereigns N
give her sanction to the scheme Of permanent
arbitration and to honor the public seryan,
whose diplomatic skill and tact have been con-
spicuous in securing a substantial triumph for
the peace OF the world. This honor IL a per-
sonai tribute which will confer upon Sir Julian
Pauncefote the dignity Of being the most useful
and practical dIplomatist Of peace at the Con.
gress of The Hague. 1t will also serve to con-
vince Englishmen that their prestige has been
increased by the Peace Congress- since under
the leadership Of their delegates positive results
have been obtained from dreamy and ap-
parently impracticable scheme OF Russian IDEAL
ism. England. which was almost cynically in
credulous at the outset, will now take honest
pride in genuine work Of peace and progress.
The tendency Of the English press has been
10 pass Judgment upon the Congress for wha.
II has not done. II has not reduced the world.
ornaments; It has not secured private property
against seizure in time Of war; IL has not ex-
crcised the baleful spirit OF mtarisn: II has
not created new heavens and new earth By
the logic Of negations and work that has been
left undone It may be condemned as a failure;
but that is an unreasonable method OF dispos.
ing of 1t. Common sense and justice require
that the Congress should be Judged by what Il
has accomplished. II has extended the humane
rules OF the Geneva Convention to warfare at
sea; It has introduced new code Of military
law; It has established important safeguards
against war-facilites for mediation, the ser
vices Of commissions Of inquiry. and perms-
nent tribunal Of arbitration. These large
results fraught with benefit and blessing 10 the
human race. While some OF them tentative
and need to be supplemented by legislation and
international action. great moral work for
promoting the welfare OF mankind and the
comfy Of nations has been accomplished II the
clause permitting nations to negotiate treaties
OF compulsory arbitration be promptly acted
upon, or If in the near future the great Powers
enter into an agreement to refer international
differences wherever practicable to a perma-
nent tribunal, the Peace Congress will be ons
OF the great landmarks Of modern progress.
The English press has been apprehensive lest
the advantages derived from naval supremacy
should be impaired by the work OF the Congress;
but now that the sessions have been closed and
the results tabulated, these fears are shown TO
have been unfounded. Sea power remains as
efficient as II Engiands position as
naval and maritime Power has not been weak
ened. She has lost nothing In naval resources
and has gained much in moral influence Con-
sequently there is a sudden change in public
opinion respecting the Congress The honors
conferred upon Sir Julian Pauncefote direct at-
tention 70 him a. the great figure OF the inter.
national council. Englshmen are readily con-
viEced OF anything that they want to believe,
and they are reconciled at once TO diplomatic
results in which they have had large degree
Of pre- -etnnence. This change Of temper toward
the Congress Is great gain for cViization-
England accepts full responsibility for the IN
ternational arbitration tribunal, and is proud OF
the distinction OF moral leadership. Her states.
men. with public opinion behind them. Will re-
gard Il as essentially an English instrument or
advanced civilization, and will make strenuous
effort 70 keep Il before the world and to 90
something with it,
The indirect results Of the Congress are not to
be overlooked Mil.tarism has not been over
thrown nor seriously hampered, but an atmos-
phere has been created in favor OF rational
PEACE by syste!natized International agencies
rather than by ornaments and preparations
for war OF unexamped magnitude The Triple
Alliance after maintaining an attitude or armeo
neutrality and cynical scepticism toward 'he
Cousress has been forced TO sanction measures
Of peace. The Dual Alliance. which has been
the chief disturbing force in Europe haA
operated to convert France into an ally OK hus-
sian idealism. England and Russia nave oeen
drawn together as the chief patrons OF this
Parliament OF Man. and their honorable assoc
citation in this work OF peace Is pledge Ut
mutual cooperation and compromise IN the faF
East England and America have also peeh
brought into close accord by the COCO leeA"s
between the two delegations at The Hague Or
Julian Pauncefote has been cordially supporter
by the American Commission. and MS SUCCESS
Is due in a large measure TO It's practcal 'ale"s
for adjusting means 70 ends and eHectlhs neSe'
sarv compromises in details. The value of
American assistance has not perhaps pee" iu''
appreciated in England. but Sir Julian Paunce-
fote knows how the difficulties nave oe.A
smoothed over by the tact and fexibility OF Ms
Anglo American colleagues. and may DC ue>
pended upon to acknowledge his oohsa'iohs'
The two Archbishops have turned the rituai-
lists out OF court two questions OF te'o'N'
practice which have been argued peiore 'He
They have condemned as illegal the ceren'o"'"'
use of lights and incense in the ChuTch o. h"e
land DR.. Temples deliverance on THIS suO'.0'
Yesterday was clear. explicit and unconpl0'i'
ing He has listened to the historical resea'e's'
OF the High Church advocates respecuhe u.
ornaments In use in the second year or Eu"A'.
VI and to their proofs that incense vessels anu
ceremonial lights were employed AFTER the aA',
Of the rubric but he has direct ana prae''e".
answer 10 their arguments. The law Is lou'.N
between the two covers Of the Prayer DUN
1t may have been carelessly enforced dur'hb
transition period. but 1t was there ana !. "a.
remained and should be obeyed until
changed Whatever is not enjoned or pertni',.e
by the Prayer Book and the acts OF uhi'oi"',',
is distinctly illegal. Incense and ceren'on'a
lights may or may not be suitable adlune''
public worship, but In the opinion OF the A'v"-
hiahnrs they are not legal and Shoulu Uo u''