The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-06-06

Ip4NsibCuNy VI 4hiI dDSy IlltllSGll, IL pdSS-
ing reference of mine to this interesting
proposal naturally drew from him an
opinion on it's merits,
The fact that it is not quite new does
not detract from it's Importance" he
said. You are doubtless aware that
proposals for somewhat similar treaties
have been made from time to time, and
that in the case of the two Americas
disputes have already been settled by
means Of a celebrated conventionthat
of the Pan American congress- In
June, 1885, the United States senate
asked the president to enter into nego-
tiations with all friendly nations with a
view to making such treaties, and in
conformity with its wishes, supported
by those of congress- he did so. Your
own government some years ago,
thanks to the initiative of Kendall
Cremer, NJ. p. approved of a like pro-
posal, and only four years ago a treat
was actually made between Great Brit
ain and the United States. This gree
ment, unfortunately, never became law,
because, when brought before the SEN
ate for ratification, it did not obtain the
support of the necessary two-thirds ma
jority. If I remember rightly, only
three votes were wanting. Then, If
may venture to speak of my own eff
forts, when 7 was member of the
chamber of deputies. brought forward
proposal in a like sense, which, all
though 1t was never discussed, was CIV
en- the best Of receptions in committed
Later, my old friend Barodet, took it
up again, and 1t was adopted unani-
mously. The government of the hour
have it it's support, and we have every
reason to believe that it is not lost sight
of even to-day. Existing treaties of
this nature have, however, been limited
in their applications; the contracting
parties have had recourse to arbitration
in all disputes, but those arising out of
their relationship do not carry any ques-
ton beyond that of indemnity. Now,
in the particular proposal to which you
refer. the sigma tories are to bind them
selves without any reservation not to
take up arms against each other before
having tried pacific means of settling
their quarrels. This new departure
! has my most hearty approval, and I
may say that our society is giving it
every support And not only are we
| WOIhlIlB DIT llOlIlt we dle 5tlllllIlS llO-
tees to all the peace associations of
your country, putting before them the
outline of the scheme, and asking them
to aid in it's achievement by every
means in their power. But we wish for
more than a general treaty of arbitra-
ton between France and England: our
ideal is for all nations to be SO bound
together"
IT see you still hold stoutly to Cob
denis ideals, Mr.. Passy.'
''Assuredly France is still protec-
ZIONIST country (although I believe peo-
pie are beginning to see the follies of
the system, and that there is an anti
Melinist reaction in government cir
cles) but no one can persuade me that
the best way of keeping on good terms
with other nations is not to hold true to
the doctrines of your great compatriot.
The real power of nations is that which
arms Industrious hands-arming them
for good, and at the same time placing
at their disposal the means OF defend
ing themselves against evil. That pow
err can only develop on condition that it
is not ieopardized at every moment
Recolect Cobden's memorable words in
the house of commons when he opposed
proposal for an increase of forts and
guns on the coast: Give me, to stimu-
late commerce and to open our 2orts
still wider to the vessels of all nations
that gold and work which you are going
to devote to coast defenceS, and with
bales Of cotton and wool | will build
fortresses one hundred times more i'm
pregnable than your ramparts of gran
lite, which are good only for attracting
bullets, and which, perhaps, will not
even withstand them. BY the exchange
of products, by the interchange of ideas.
by the strengthening and renewing of
the bonds which unite all men, I will
forge you a protective armor of inter-
ests friendship and mutual bonds
which will defend and protect you a
hundred times better than all your iron
and granite defences.' There is no
doubt, in my mind, that those words
are as true to-day as ever they were"
''In view of recent events in England,
are you Of opinion that Cobden's Heal
is being lost sight oe nowadays by our
politicians?"
mo; I hardly think that. The coun-
try remains true, does it not to free
trade; and you have still. I am thank
full to say many men who are proud to
call themselves liberals, and to- stand
up unfnichlngly in support of just and
causes. Only"-and as Mr..
Passy spoke these words a tone of sad
ness came into his voice-"I have noted |
with deep regret a change in the politi- |
cal temper Of your country. England |
has ever been associated, in my mind, |
with the right OF free speech; she has |
ever been the unique land of liberty, |
where every one could express his or |
her opinion, and with every confidence |
of getting fair hearing. Occasions on
which this splendid trait Of fair play
has shown itself during my visits to
occur to me- But is it still the |
land of free speech? 1t was indeed
terrible disappointment to those of us
who have held England in admiration
for this characteristic of her people to
near of the scenes which occurred at the
of the Transvaal war;
principally the riot in Trafalgar square,
when my friend. Felix Moscheles, was
struck on the head with an open knife,
'ort unately for him, only by the handle.
Mr.. Passy condemned the war unre-
-