The Topeka state journal., 1900-11-17
The QUESTION
OF ARBITRATION.
This Means of Settling Political Dit
fculties Has Been Practised
From Time lmmemOrial.
By Cardinal NartinellL-

The word arbitration, although
proper derivative from the Latin, de-
rives its Importance in the language of
all nations as a term of modern diplo-
macy Arbitration. so called, has no
theological significance. When we
speak Of Christ as an advocate Of uni
versal peace We mean that If the fol-
lowers of Christ would follow the
greatest of His commands. Love thy
neighbor as thyseif," there would be
no warfare. no International compIica-
tions. no family quarrels. none OF the
Ills which have made the descendants
OF Adam unhappy. In the Testaments
we find no evidence Of what is now
called arbitration in the political sense.
The words of the Redeemer, as trans
mltted TO US by His loving followers,
snow Us that His mission on earth re-
lated entirely to spiritual affairs and
not to those of temporal import He
healed the sick, comforted the sorrow-
ful and for the first time in the history
of mankind preached the doctrine of
universal brotherhood. His arbitra-
tion was entirely confined to things of
the soul, as in the instance of the sinful
woman who was condemned to be
stoned. and in the other example of
the people who wished to know if it was
lawful TO pay tax to Caesar. To the
first He made that reply which is an
eternal answer to the hypocrites who
endeavor to make stock of the sins of
other people in order to hide their own
Let him who is without sin cast the
hrst stone" To the second He made
that reply which embodied within a few
simple words more philosophy than all
the sages of the world in all the ages
of the the world have complied in their
ponderous Render unto Cae-
sar the things that are Caesars, and
unto God the things that are Gods
This sentence has been considered by
the doctors of the canon and civil law
They have written learned treatises
about the rights of man, the duties Of
the citizen and the obligations Of the
state. but none has surpassed the sim
PIE directness of this command It's
very simplicity is its merit. It is i'm
possible to enhance its meaning bv ex-
planation- The Saviour says. render
first all patriotic duty. and then, being
a good citizen, discharge your obliga-
ton TO Cod Man cannot be a lover
of the divine goodness unless he is true
TO his civic obligations This sentence
is the greatest incentive to patriotism.
If arbitration of the conflicting in
te-ests OF mankind were based upon
this axiom Of right and justice the hor-
rors Of modern warfare. now a daily
sorrow 10 thousands, would be impos-
siole-
The doctrine of universal brotherhood
presuppcses arbitration as the method
Of settling disputed interests in tenn
poral affairs The doctrine Of Christ
was the doctrine OF brotherhood and in
ciuded arbitration as the highest amel-
ioratlon of human conditions.
The word arbitration has rnanv
meanings, but the term used as the
final recourse OF nations to avoid con-
hiets IS the broadest and most import
ant.
Although the term. as stated before.
is an expression of modern diplomacy.
arbitration in regard to political din
eulties has been practised from time
immemorial-
During the Middle Ages the Roman
Pontihs were the arbftrators in affafrs
Of worldwide Importance. It is true
they were not always successful in pre-
venting the shedding of blood, but their
influence prevented savagery in war
fare and the Peace Of Cod which thev
constantly proclaimed as duty upon all
Christians often gave the opportunity
for cooler counsels TO prevail
The present Pontif Leo XIII. is an
ardent advocate of arbitration He
would have willingly acted as umpire
in the Spanish American war to pre-
vent bloodshed, just as he acted as me-
diator between Spain and Germany in
the case Of the Caroline Islands dispute.