Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-10
Sl.60 per Annum.
peace of the world.
Advancement Of Cause Of internationa \,
Arbitration

y "'" "hiohh tHt civilized nations OF
sentiment which Will permit a gra-
dual substitution of other methods
than the method of war in the settle.
ment of disputes. II Is not pretended
that as ye. %G ::o near a position In
which 1t Will be possible wholly to pre.
vent war. or that Just regard for ma
tlonal interest and honor will in all
cases permit OF the settlement of in
ternational disputes by arbitration.
nut by mixture of prudence and firm-
ness with wisdom we think IL is pos
sibie to do away with much of the pro-
vocation and excuse for war and at
least in many cases to substitute some
other and more rational method for
me settlement of disputes. The Hague
court offers so good an example of
what can be done In the direction of
such settlement that 1t should be en-.
couraged in every way.
Further steps should be taken. In
| President Mckinleys annual message
| OF December ;. 1898. he made the fol.
| lowing recommendation:
Exemption Of Private Property at Sea
from Capture by eeIliaerent Powers,
The experiences of the last wear
bring forcibly home to US n sense of
the burdens and the waste of war
| We desire, In common with most civ.
ilized nations, to reduce to the lowest
possible point the damage sustained
in time OF war by peaceable trade and
commerce 1t Is true we may suffer
IN such cases less than other COM
fnuhiiles. but all nations are damaged
| more or less by the state OF uneasi-
| ness and apprehension into which an
| outbrak OF hostillties throws the en-.
| tire commercial world 1t should be
| our object, therefore, to minimize, so
far as practicable, this Inevitable loss
md disturbance. This purpose can
probably best be accomplished by an
International agreement to regard all
private property at sea as exempt
| from capture or destruction by the
forces of helligerent powers The
United States government has for
many years advocated this humane
md benefcent principle, and Is now In
position to recommend II to other
powers without the lmputation OF
'elfsh motives. therefore, suggest
or your consideration that the Exec
tive be authorized to correspond
With the governments of the principal
maritime powers. with view OF In.
cooperating into the permanent law OF
civilized nations the principle OF tho
| exemption OF all private property at
| sea, not contraband OF war. from cap
ure or destruction by belligerent
powers
cordially renew this recommends
| tlon.
The supreme court. speaking on
December II, 1899. through Peckham.
J.. said
"It Is, we think. historically accu-
| rate TO say that this government has
always been. in its views, among the
most advanced OF the governments OF
he world in favor OF mitigating. a.
o all noncombatants, the hardships
md horrors of war. To accomplish
| hat object 1t has always advocated
hose rules which would in most cases
| 10 away with the right to capture the
private property OF an enemy on the
high seas"
| advocate this as matter of hui
manity and morals. 1t is anachro-
nstlc when private property is re-
| respected at sea. Moreover, 1t should
be borne In mind that shipping repre-
sents, internationally speaking.
much more generalized species OF
private property than is the case with
ordinary property on land--that is,
| property found at sea is mucn less apt
han Is the case with property found
on land really to belong to any one
| nation. Under the modern system Of
corporate ownership the flag OF ves-
sci often differs from the flag which
would mark the nationality OF the real
| ownership and money control OF the
vessel, and the cargo may belong to
| individuals Of yet another nationality.
Much American capital is now invest
ed in foreign ships; and among foreign
nations 1t often happens that the cap
ital Of one is largely Interested in the
shipping OF another. Furthermore, as
practical matter. 1t may be mention
ed that while commerce destroying
may cause serious loss and great an
noyance. 1t can never be more than a
subsidiary factor in bringing to terms
| resolute foe. This is now well re-
cognized by all OF our naval experts.
The fighting ship. not the commerce
destroyer, is the vessel whose feats
idd renown to nations history. and
| establish her place among the great
powers of the world
Meeting Of lnterpariamentary Union
for international Arbitration.
Last year the interpariiamentary
Union for international arbitration
met at Vienna. 900 members OF the
different legislatures Of civilized coun-
tries attending. Ii was provided that
the next meeting should be in 1904 at
st. Louis, subject to our congress ex-
tending an Invitation. Like the
Hague tribunal. this Interparliament-
ary Union is one OF the forces tending
towards peace among the nations Of
the earth. and It is entitled to our sup
port. trust the invitation can be ex-
tended.
Relations with Turkey.
Early in July. having received in