The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-12-08

Britain. Germany. and italy formed an
alliance Tor the purpose Of blockading the
ports Of Venezuela and using such other
means Of pressure az would secure a set
Element OF claims due. aa they alleged. TO
certain Of their subjects. Their sm-
plcyment OF force for the collection OF
these claims x as terminated by an nErcc-
mcnt brought about through the Offices
OF the diplomatic representatives Of thc
United Gtates at Caracas and the Govern.
ment at Washington, thereby ending
situation which was bound to cause In
creasing friction and which jeopardized
the peace OF the continent onder this
agreement Venezuela agreed 80 set apart
a certain percentage OF the customs re-
ceipts Of two OF her ports 90 be applied
80 the payMent OF whatever obligations
might be ascertained by mixed commis-
slons appointed Tor that purpose TO be
due from her. not only TO the three pow
efs already mentioned whose proceedings
against hcr had resulted In state of
war. but also SO tho United States
France. Spain Belgium. the Netherlands
Sweden and Norway. and Mexico. who
had not employed force FOR the collec-
ton OF the claims alleged TO be due to
certain OF their oitiezns.
demand was then made by the so
called -.ockadirs powers that the sums
asccrtaned to be due to their citizens
by such mixed commissions should be ace
corded payment in fun before anything
was paid upon the claims of any OF the
so-called peace powers. Venezuela on
the other hand. inslsted that an her cred
itors should be paid upon "a b8sis of cX
act equality. During the efforts 20 ad
Just this dispate it was suggested hy the
powers in interest that Il shot id ho re-
ferred TO me FOR decision. but was
clearly OF the opinion that far wiser
course would be 70 submit the question
TO the Permanent Court Of Arbitration at
Oh tl, ma ff, nff "a fi
admirable opportunity 70 advance the
practice OF the peaceful settlement Of
disputes between uaHons and 60 secure
FOR the Hague tribunal a memorable in-
crease of ITS practical Importance. The
nations Interested In the controversy
were SO numerous and in many instances
SO powerful as TO make IL evident that
benehcent results would follow from their
appearance az the same time before the
bar Of that august tribunal of peace
our hopes In that regard have been
realized Russia and Austria are repre-
sented IN the persons OF the learned and
| distinguished iurists who compose the
| tribunal while Great Britain, Germany
! Francs, Spain. Italy. Belgium, the Meth
| erlands, Sweden and Norway, Mexico, the
| United States. and Venezuela are rcp-
resented by their respective agents and
counsel. Such an imposing concourse OF
nations presenting their arguments To-
| and invoking the decision OF that hign
court of international justice and intcr-
national peace can hardly fan 20 secure
| like submission OF many future con-
| troversies The nations now appearing
there will find II far easier 10 appear
there second time. while no nation can
| imagine IFS Just pride win be lessened by
| following the example now presented.
| This triumph of the principle of inter-
| national arbitration Is a subject Of warm
! congratulation and offers a happy augury
/ for the peace Of the world.
There seems good ground for the be-
! lief that there has been q real growth
/ among the civilized. nations of "a sent-
/ ment which will permit gradual sub
/ sttutlon of other methods than the
! method OF war In the settlement OF dis
! putes. n Is not pretended that as yet
we are near n position IN which ~ VIZ
1 be possible wholly 90 prevent war or
that a just regard for national interest
| ana honor VIII In all cuses permit Of
| the settlement OF International disputes
! by arbitration; but by "a mixture OF pru-
\ dence and nrmncss with wisdom we think
| u IS possible 70 do away with much OF
| the provocation and excuse for war and
! at least in meny cases 10 Euhdtltutc some
| other and more rational method for the
/ settlement OF disputes The Hague court
/ Offers 20 good an example Of what can
| be done in the direction OF such settle
| meut that IL should be encouraged in
every way.
Further steps should be taken IN Pres
! ident McKinley's annual message of
| Dec. o, 1885 he made the following rec-
| cmmendation;
"rhe experiences OF the last year bring
! forcibly home TO us "a sense Of the bur-
dcns and the waste OF war We desire.
/ Don common with most civilized nations.
/ 10 reduce 10 The lowest possible point
! tho damage sustained iu time of war by
! pcaceahle trade and commerce IL is
true we may suffer in such cases less
| than other communities but an nations
/ are damaged more or less by the state of
/ uneaslnoss and ANN -i'enhiSa ivto which
| an outbreak % hoFtlliUes throws the
| entire commercial world. II should be- our
object therefore 90 minimize. so fnr
as practicable. this inevitable loss and
/ disturbance This purpose can probably
best DE accomplished by an international
| agreement 20 regard am private property
/ az sea as exempt from capture on de-
| atructlon hy the forces of hclligorcut poW-
| crs. The United States Government has
/ for many years ADVOCATED thls humane
| and henehcent principle ANA is now iu q
/ position 20 recommend 90 20 other pow
ers without the impuation of selfish mo-
| tiyes. j therefore suggest for your cone
/ sideEtlou that tho Executive be author
| izcd to correspond wlth the governments
| of the principal maritime powers with a
/ view of Incorporating into the perma.
]
1 ciple OF the exemption Of au private
/ property al sea, not cOntraband OF war
| from capture on destruction by bcllisor-
/ enc powers
4 cordially renew This recommendation.
/ THE supreme colrt. speaking On Dec
~ 1889. through Peckham j.. said;
'lt S. We think Historically accurate
! to say that This Government has always
! been, in its Views, among the most nd-
| Yanecd OF ihe governments of the world
in favor of mitigating. as 20 an nom
| combatants the hardships and horrors
of war. 10 accomplish tiat object IL has
! always advocated those rules which
| would in most cases do away with the
an enemy on tine high seas
j advocate this as matter Of human
| ity and morals. IL Is annchronistlc when
| private property ls respected on land
that it should not be respected al sea.
/ Moreover 10 ahoold be borne in MIND that
I HNIunIum TaUrpaTufH infaFwnfluun Y