The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-24
ar CAUSE OF WOMAN.

~ ~
n, MEETINGS FOR ARBITRA.
INV or THE WOMEN'S COUNCIL.
Hundred Of Them Last Year-Tneir
rn.ct on Public Sentin,ent-EmersOn
=. an Equal SuiTra gist-What Women
rallied to Get In COlOradO-The
women Immigration Inspecto rs.
While the first international Peace
sphunal was in session at The Hague, in
"a the great International Council Of
vor,en met in London and one Of its most
,,nortant convocations was that held in
4. interest of peace and arbitration. The
..,ncl maintains a standing committee
!, This subject invites other organizations
= vomen to cooperate. and once year
so,ds public meetings in all parts Of the world
urge arbitration as the method Of settling
,,,.rnational an d national disputes. At first
-. were on May 10, the date which
msrked the opening of the first Hague
0,nference, but later this having resulted
n permanent Court Of Arbitration, 1t
ma changed to May 10, the date on which
this body first convened. Last year s22
scb meetings we're held simultaneously
n the United States. The reports Of the
yeek lust passed have not yet been received.
Cordial appreciation Of this moral support
has been expressed by official authorities
IN this and other countries.
This movement comes at an opportune
time. for, not outstanding the fact that the
tuo leading nations-Great Britain and
the United States-have carried on wars
within the last five years, there is strong
and rapidly growing sentiment in favor
Of substituting diplomacy and arbitration
for armed force, Striking proof Of, this is
Afforded by the situations in China and in
Venezuela, each Of which generation or
two ago would have precipitated war.
I, will hardly be denied that the South
African and Spanish-American contests
could have been avoided by arbitration, but
the representatives of the Government in
Great Britain and tho United States are
compelled in such matters to yield very
largely to public sentiment and unques-
tionably this was for war. No one who
was in England Gas was the present writer
during the six months preceding the con-
hct) could doubt the determination Of the
British people to fight the Dutch Of South
Africa and the Government leaders initiated
the disastrous conflict with the sanction Of
the vast majority of their constituents.
In the United States it was well known
that President Mckinley was thoroughly
averse to war with Spain and earnestly be-
ieved he could free the Cubans by means
Of firm and judicious diplomacy. II sup
ported by Congress and the people. But
the elections were coming on and this ques-
ton was one of the issues. The lingo spirit
WAS rampant and Congressman must please
their constituents. 1t is possible that even
the threats of Impeachment would not
have influenced the peace-loving President,
but at the moment when the strain bet ween
the executive and legislative branches Of
the Government was at the highest tension.
came the wreck of the Maine, and thence
forth but one course was possible. The
war was brief. but the consequences will
last till the end of time.
Now here Is the significant point. In
both Great Britain and the United States
IN public sentiment, which was directly
RESPONSIBLE for thase two wars, rapres ,nted
hall INTACT, for to the women. who almost
were opposed. must BIZ added
a number of men who shared their senti-
ments. Thus, in reality. two mofnentous
Ss sY ct s 0G ass Be-
the whole body OF the
apponents1 were without any practical in
1Nencc. Ihs moment any question enters
the domain OF politics thu direct power OF
Parliament and the United States Congress
we're not dependent on woman for re-
election. and therefore they had no regard
for the opinions OF women on war issues.
This always has been and always will be
human nature.
In all the months of discussion which
preceded these wars the voice of women
was no more than the chipping Of sparrows.
II Is OF no more sequence now in any OF
the great political questions OF the day.
Let not women deceive themselves or be
deceived by men on this point. It is right
for them to hold their peace meetings and
put themselves on record as opposed TO
war. Women and children are the greatest
sufferers from its ravages.,
The war monuments of the whole world
show man on top of the pedestal waving
pride OF victory, but ct its bese ere weeping
women clasping their orphaned children.
Men have the comredeship of their fellow
soldiers, the excitement of battle with it's
promise OF fame, and il death come, an
honorable grave with an end to toll and
sorrow. Women have the lonely home,
the endless suspense, the struggle for sub
sistence. II an unmarried man is killed,
some woman must go through life without
q husband II married man, widow and
orphans are left to the mercy OF the world.
Yes. the women OF all nations may well be
the enemies OF war. But let them LEI IN the
fact, and never lose sight OF it. that never will
their prayers and tears, their mass meet
ings and their protests, have the slightest
weight until they form voting constitu-
ency behind those who have the power
To declare war.
There is another point, however. which
women should remember If they expect
their opinions on this question to COM
mand respect. 1t was tersely and strongly
expressed by President Roosevelt in his
speech at San Francisco few days ago;
infinitely desire peace. and the surest
way TO obtain ic is to show that we are not
Of fairness and justice with all weaker ma
tons, and we should show to the strongest
TN, we are able to maintain our rights
Such showing cannot be made by bIusier.
for buster merely invites contempt Iet us
selves armed and ready. IF We do these
things We can count on the peace, that comes
only to the Just man armed, to the lust man
who nei Their fears nor infticts wrong.