New-York tribune., 1902-05-25
"A M0HONK CONFERENCE.
ANNUAL GATHERING OF AD-
VOCATES OF ARBITRATION
TO BE HELD THIS WEEK.
MEETS on THE TOP OF THE SHAwAN-
GUNK MOUNTAIN-SOME OF THE
EMINENT MEN MOST ACTIVE
IN PROMOTING PEACE.

IN PROMOTING PEACE.
rST,he eighth annual Lake Mohonk Conference on
international Arbitration will take place on May
Is % and 30 John ". Foster will preside. and the
spersons who are interested in the work say that
he prospects for the realization OF the objects of
the organization brighter and the inter
lest in the work greater than at the pres
lent time
r The conference will be held at Lake Mohonk. on
top Of the Shawangunk Mountain range, at beau
Eifnl spot midway between the Highlands of the
Hudson and the Catskills, both of which TO be
xeen from It Lake Mohonk. the Indian for Lake
cf the Sky" derives its from its height above
fhe surrounding country in Orange and Ulster
counties At the north end of this picturesque
body Of water is the Lake Mohonk House, where
fhe arbitration conference will be held. Albert K.
Smiley is the proprietor and of his friends in
describing his unique hotel says THE place shows
that II is possible for a college professor be
kgood business and for a with ideals
run a summer hotel successfully. provided he has
6deas also"
b Mr.. Smiley Mohonk for the first time in 1859
EVithn week he owned the lake and three hun
Ered acres around IL and owed $4,000. The estate
hnow amounts to five thousand acres all parts being
accessible by means of than fifty miles OF
good private roads. some parts Of which 5000
"a mile
pa writer who visited the place few years ago
wrote of its patrons the fashionably regenerate
the select Of the elect the wealther saints the
aigious -Four Hundred. One can often see among the
guests, who almost to a man attend the simple de-
rrotonal exercises in the parlor each morning.
whose previous religious experience has probably
Jbeen gained largely in the amen Corner of the
Fifth Avenue Hotel and there probably some of
the "wealthier saints who make up in the
Mohonk for occasional absence from their places
OF worship during the crowded winter months
Liquor in all forms, dancing public card playing,
hunting and brass bands are excluded from the
premises and these restrictions never provoke a
nnurrnur from the cosmopolitan population.
Pit is IL this peaceful summer resort a season
when sl the hills white with mountain laurel
that the Arbitration Conference meets In 1883 Mr.
Smiley who had been appointed by President Hayes
10 the Board Of Indian Commissioners, called the
first Mohonk Conference TO consider the welfare Of
the Indian Since that time the Indian Conference,
which meets every year in October has come TO be
recognized Of the most important influences
in shaping the Indian policy Of the government IL
has steadily advocated the abolition Of the
1ion system at the earliest possible moment, the
allotment Of Indian lands in severalty and the
policy of giving the Indian the earliest possible
moment the rights and duties of American citizen
ship.
Encouraged by the success of the Indian Con-
Ference in creating public sentiment and attracting
the respectful attention of Congress, Mr.. Smiley,
In 1895 issued che invitations for the first Arbitra
zion Conference. Since then the conference has
annually. Each conference has separate exist
snce, the members assembling Mr.. Smiley's per-
Eon2l guests, ana being without expense during
their stay at Mohonk- The membership contains
men and women of every party, faith and profess
eion-
Speaking of the aims and objects of the confer
snce, William c. Dennis, secretary Of the confer
Hnce said:
conference This Is Inaccurate & Inc conference lei nee
subject Of arbitration Such themes as the abstract
morality of the ethics OF any particu-
excluded from the discussions on the ground that
stses Wfbouf Securing any nc eompensatng benet
There other places to discuss war from an
nounce the Injustice the inexpedency OF any
s sres9y IN s o for oR t5 al she
Of the general principle OF arbitration, through
cifcslly through the negotiation OF permanent
viii take away alike the excuse and opportunity for
war -,,- <-.-x.- -. o,o-.- -. -,
cal i its aims and nethods 1t has endeavorea 10
eoncentTate sEsention on those phases OF aTbitra-
suits. the time that it held up a high ideal
pls is Adopted which crystaliizes the seat-
ynent Of the meeting and points the way 70 what is
9. committee is appointed TO urge the recomInenda
platforms which have always been so conservative
20 secure the unanimous approval OF the confer
OF the cause OF arbitration during the last eight
years The first platform in 1895 called attention
n the following words TO the circumstances which
rendered arbitration treaty with England
I'm iss7 an English delegation of thirteen men,
all prominent IN public life, Drought to this
of Commons, addressed to the President and Con-
gress OF the United States, and expressing the
that al future differences between the countries
luton our Congress in 1890 unanimously requested
the President 10 open negotiations this end with
relations. IN June 1888 the British House Of Com
mons unanimously expressed its approval of the
movement Expressing. We believe, the
judgment of the American people we urge the
government of the United States to negotiate a
trsA<y o. arbitration with Great Britain
Sslore the next meeting AT Mohonk the threat
"4NH EiBldnd. resulting from England's
refusai 10 arbitrate the boundary with Venezuela
aiu the resulting panic in the stock market com.
y.ssu with the spontaneous and simultaneous
S...aiaIoh IN favor OF arbitration by the leading
business men IN the principal cities OF the country
mao enforced the declaration of the conference
The platform OF IS only renewed the demand
for an arbitration treaty With England huf ,nSar
me prophetic leadership of DIR. Edward Eyerett
Haze IL declared IN favor OF a permanent tribunal
the constitution OF this tribunal the platform DE-
carec: Its personnel may change but its judicial
lie shouid be continuous; its existence would
often prevent controversy, and its decisions would
become recognized Interpretation of
law. Such a tribunal should be consttfr,tea
that all the civilized nations in the world NAV ~
tutee IL, avail themselves OF its benefits. Disarma-
7nent Of the nations shoUli follow such recognition
of and provision for the reign of reason over
From that time belief in a permanent interna-
1tonai has been OF the cardinal doctrines
of the conference; In 1887, while the conference
Pauncefote treaty with England far counterbal-
anced the temporary discouTa cement of its defeat
In the Senate, yet large part OF the time OF the
meeting spent in carefully considering and
answering the arguments advanced against the
treaty The platform was hopeful in tone and
Solrteous TO the Senators who had defeated the
In 1Ess when the time for the conference came
80 wSre Al war with Spain. 1t was suggested hat