The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-06-03
ARBITRATION CONFERENCE OPENS
ADDRESS OF CHAIRMAN
Public Sentiment Must ne Created
Again Adventurous Schemes
OF the Powers.

The Lake Mohonk. Now York, con.
ference In international arbitration
was begun May 81. The general
topic OF the first session was "the
present outlook Of arbitration" The
attendance was nearly 900 members.
the largest in the history OF Mohonk
meetings. The following officers we're
elected: President, John w. Foster;
Secretaries. Clinton Rogers Woodruff
and II. C. Phillips: Treasurer. Alex
ander G. Wood; Chairman Of Business
Committee, John Crosby Brown;
Chairman of Finance Committee, Jno.
d. Barrett; Chairman Of Publication
Committee. DR.. Benjamin F. True
blood. The opening address was by
John w. Foster former Secretary Of
State. who spoke in part as follows:
Probably the most edifying and aus.
picious event has occurred In quar-
ter of the world to which the Anglo
Saxons have not been inclined to look
for helpful examples in good govern
ment and salutary public law. In the
extreme of the South American conu-
nent there have arisen into promi-
nence during the last century two
prosperous and aspiring republics. A
controversy over a boundary line
threatened to light the torch Of war
and thrust these two peaceful. pros
porous and Industrious peoples into
sanguinary and exhausting conflict.
But better counsels prevailed and
Chill and Argentine agreed to submit
the boundary question to the arbitra-
tion OF the King of England. His
award has been rendered and accept
ed by both nations. But that Is only
the beginning of the narrative. The
two nations have entered into treaty
whereby they agree to submit all ques-
tions which cannot be settled by d.
plomacy to arbitration. the only excep-
ton being those involving principles Of
their Constitution. They further
agreed to stop the construction Of ma
val vessels and to sell those which
were ordered at the time the war
fever was raging land as a result there
are now In the naval dockyards Of
Europe several war vessels of the two
nations seeking customers. They also
agreed to reduce their armies to a
peace footing and to so maintain
them. and to partially disarm their ma
val vessels at home. AS a result of
this disarmament we are Informed by
recent press news from Buenos Ayres
that the Minister of Marine has ten
dered to the Minister of Agriculture
two of his unoccupied men-of-war to
transport grain and meat products to
South America. where the government
is seeking to open up new market
for their superabundant harvests. The
Venezuelan event shows some Of the
evil effects of Transforming the pop
ulous nations into great military pow
ers. While the vast naval ornaments
and standing armies Of Great Britain,
Germany, Russia and other nations
make them very cautious about pro-
voking each other to conflict they
offer temptation to occupy these
forces in expeditions and adventures
against the weaker nations. Hence,
In the interest of the weaker ma
tions. and of the worlds peace,
| It is of the utmost Importance
that a public sentiment be Gre
ated among the enlightened ma
tions which will restrain the great
military powers from entering upon
schemes of adventure or oppression
AMI which will support the smaller In
dependent nations in their appeal to
the arbitration of their differences
with the more powerful. Benjamin F.
Trueblood also addressed the meeting
on Another Years Progress In Arbi-
tration."