New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-01


was not long ago that "perhdious Albion was
denounced in France as the pledge-breaker
Who had stolen Egypt; and it is barely eighteen
months since the Anglo-Japanese treaty was
negotiated FOR the purpose Of counteracting the
Dual Alliance in the Far East. Russian policy
i1 ManchUria and Corea may be unalterable,
hut times have changed I'm Western Europe
France IS no longer exposed to the uenaces Of
naval warfare as the penalty for Joining
Russia in an attack upon Japan. Lord Lans-
dovue. who negotiated the convention with
Japan so as 10 deprive Russia Of a naval ally
in The Far East, signs an arbitration agree
wert with France at the moment when there
arc indications Of war over the partition of
'orea- il nay be arbitration treaty Of
limited scope, but il is q practical proof that
friendly ana cordial relations exist between
fhe two countries and that there is slight risk
Of their. being drawn into war over Northern
China.
The AuElo-French agreement is another in
6ication that the ARBITRATION tribunal The
Hague is destined TO become = means OF grace
cor the regeneration OF militant world. The
Peace Congress was described by cynics on
the eve Of ITS assembIage as an experience meet
ing al which the Cars representatives could
s0lemnly pass The books around and lead in
prayer and praise. while the dazed diplomatists
the right key. The pessimists had their
triumph when the Parliament Of Man
followed by protracted war in South Africa.
and the highly organized council Of arbitration
20 The Hague was rust-ng from disuse. The
cTtimsts turned the laugh against them
when the first case was submitted TO this
International court and the elaborate mechan-
i>m for regulating and preserving the peace
- the world was set IN motion; and not long
ID zf,f nv ha
decision Of the tribunal in important ques-
-ion relating 10 priority OF claims against Ven
ezuela. in which both hennispheres were equally
interested. Armaments have not been reduced
by land or sea, and governments continue TO
strengthen their fleets and TO drill their armies;
hut everything does not go before. Inter
national arbitration is not ar idle dream OF
impossible millennium II is a practical
policy which has been tried once and again
~ The Hague. and now France and England
have entered into an agreement for referring
- the tribunal under certain limitations, minor
controversies which may arise between them.
Lord Lansdowne at the Pilgrims dinner
ferred 70 the moral obligation OF Anglo-Saxon-
com 10 set q bright example 10 other nations
by adopting this method OF settling difficulties
in 8 rational way The policy has been salts
tactoriy tested and has been sanctioned by the
most progressive nations.
Il is evident however from recent proceed
Sings at The Hague that the court must be ap-
preached ia 4 friendly rather than critical
snd controversial spirit The procedure has
been tentatively arranged after many diplo-
matte conferences. and it viii be steadily i'm
proved with practice. Meanwhile. many points
n etiquette have TO be considered The repre-
sentatives Of the signatory powers residing at
The Hague constitute the administrative coun-
ID Of the court, and there is a permanent in
-eruational bureau, with a secretary general
and other officials. The procedure will probably
he amended and simpifed time goes on,
but ia thl earlier stages the susceptibilities OF
The officials and resident diplomatic corps ought
20 re respected. The tribunal. when il is estab-
lfshed for e definite work Of arbitration, is
independent OF the administrative council by
which ID is created. There are no precedents
for he preliminary proceedings and the dip
iomatic corps al The Hague deals with each
.aee in spirit 81 mutual accommodation
aua good VIII. The arbitration machinery has
alal set ur. but wheel and cog have not been
-crmaucntly adjusted. The counsel for litigants
.aunot reasonably expect TO have the wheels
move with precision and perfection when the
International court is new and essentially ex-
nerimental They must have patience and avoid
unnecessary Controversies and chickering's
otherwise they Vin excite resentment and strife,
and bring al the process Of International
filtration into disrepute.
American lawyers especially need 10 act with
reIf-restrafnt and consummate tact when they
appear before the tribunal at The Hague. The
Peace Congress would have ended IN failure
II the United States delegation had not per-
severed IN Recommending arbitration and
operated with Lord Pauncefote IN establishing
the permanent tribunal. The United States
Minister M Newell, has been a strenuous
friend OF the cause OF international arbitration,
has watched with keen interest and practical
intelligence every stage and process OF the
new experiment and has been the best-natured
snd most patient peacemaker in the resident
diplomatic corps. The first submitted 10
the Govt was one IN which the United States
Government was directly concerned; and the
important question OF preferential claims based
upon bonbardnert OF Venezuelan forts was
subsequently referred 10 il through the personal
Intervention Of President Roosevelt. From the
outset American influence has been powerfully
sEerted In favor Of the permanent international
court and the patronage o. tie United States
Government has supplied it with its two earliest
cases American lawyers ought TO be most
ta1tful and clrcumspect when they appear be-
fore the tribunal or address the international
Council Of Administration, for the Court is
moral instrument Of civilization which their
Government has virtually created and brought
into use. The need for caution IS more urgent
when powerful Governments Ike those OF Ber-
ii, Vienna and St Petersburg disturbed
ard alarmed By the success Of the Court Of
Arbitration and are secretly hoping that some
thine may happen 10 discre5it IL.
I.prd La1scoHne in his felicitous speech
The Pilgrims banquet referred TO the Alaska