New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-25
TIRE VENEZUELA ARBITRATION.

Uo wonder how many Americans are iol-
lowing closely the progress or the Nene"ue"
orb,trotjon case at Paris, or. indeed, are aware
that such a case Is now being riedf Inc iau
tor class probably comprises minority OF the
Nation; the former n tiny fraction. Inc da"!
,ross gave Il is true n pretty full account OF
,ho ononing ~ the court and Of the first TWO
or three DAYS sessions. Then the matter was
shelvcd in favor Of tho Dreyfus trial ana o'heI
tonlcs. and has for weeks been dlsmlsseu VII"
q foO, lines. stating that this counsel has com
Melted the twelfth day of his argument or 'haV
the other has begun his speech, and VIII PROD
ably continue II for two weeks. Nor nave we
heard any loud or widespread clamor TOT iui'ei
,rfor,,o+,on and we are inclined 10 think that
detailed reports OF the proceedings woulu nav
heen received by the average reader WIN
scorceIv more enthusiasm than would reprint
of logarithmc tables. And yet the incidents
which led 10 the submission Of this case 10 ar
filtration were the great sensation or their DAY
commanding columns Of space IN every uaIiF
naner leading all other topics Of popular COLI
versatIon and discussion. and even leadlng 10
talk-most inIudcious and I'll founded-of
great world war. The contrast OF interest," Win
apathv Is striking and suggestive
Tbere are those who see in II cause Tot
SOOTHING They argue that the lack Of Interest
in the progress Of the arbitration proves mat
tho original interest in the case was insincefe'
ord that this country's intervention between
C,roa+ Rritain and Venezuela was on fictitious
md dishonest grounds Nothing could he more
fouocous than such an Interpretation. or could
show q more hopeless ignorance or misunder'
standing Of the essential principles Of the case
N
dlspute. did not concern itself with what was
10 be done. hut with the way in which II was
70 he done. II did not demand that the line OF
demarcation between Venezuela and BRUSH
Gniana should be drawn here, or should not
he drawn there. but that the drawing or II
should he determined according 10 law ana as
certaincd facts aud not merely according 10 the
strength Of the disputantS. II objected 10 nav
ING Venezuela coerced by European Power IN
dispute which was eminently well adapted TO
settlement by arbitration. As long As either
nartv was averse to arbitration the United
states was intensely Interested in the case be
cause so long as II remained unsettled or there
was danger Of its being settled by violent
means the welfare of this country itself was
,ponoced The efforts Of this Nation were di-
recfed therefore, 10 effecting the resumption OF
dinlomatic relations between the disputants and
the submission Of the controversy 10 com
nctent and impartial tribunal. That end was
finally attained and the moment II was at
tanned this Nations interest in the matter
waned. or was entirely transformed. It's work
was done The further outcome OF II could he
awaited with entire complacence. And So In
stead Of sitting up nights in excitement ana
tropidation over the dOngs and probable yer
dict Of the Paris tribunal, Americans regard
the matter with comparative Indifference con
fdent that whatever Is done will be right.
Tn that is 10 be found, then, vindicaton
both Of the American course in the matter and
Of the American principle Of arbitration We
! have said there was talk of war. II is true
| that this Nation was ready to 90 TO war II
necessary rather than see great wrong done
| and its own integrity menaced But with all
| that Intensity and sincerity OF feeling. the Ma
ton was Immediately placated and saushed inc
moment arbitration was agreed to- There couo
! scarcely he more impressive exposition OF inc
mower of arbitration to reconcile anmosities
| and soothc angry feelings. or Of Nations I'm
| nlicit confidence in the justice OF tribunal &c
which Il had itself appealed. This apparent
| lack Of interest in the pending case is, there
| fore. in the highest degree creditable TO the
| United States. and one Of the most convincing
tributes possible 10 the henefcence Of interna
| tional arbitration