Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-28
PLEAD THE CAUSE OF PEACE
Conference on International Arbitra-
tiOn begun at Lake
Mohonk.


MohOnk.
LAKE MoHoNK, n. Y, May H.-The
Lake Mohonk conference on International
arbitration was begun here today. The
senenW topic OF the first session was the
present outlook for arbitration. The open
ing address was made by John w. Foster,
formerly secretary of State He said:
We assemble today for the ninth annual
conference of the friends OF international
arbitration under most encouraging aus.
pices. Very significant events have taken
place since we separated at this beautiful
spot one year ago and these events have
tended in the direction of universal peace
and have greatly strengthened the cause Of
Probably the most edifying and auspic-
lous event has occurred in a quarter of the
world to which Anglo-Saxons have not been
inclined to look for helpful examples in
good government and salutary public law.
In the extreme of the South American con-
unent there have arisen into prominence
curing the last century two prosperous ana
aspiring republics. As a rule they have
sustained good administrations. maintained
excellent foreign credit. and have greatly
advanced in wealth and resources. For
time they arrayed themselves in rivalry
for supremacy on that continent and fol-
lowing the example of the greater nations
uavies. A controversy over q boundary
line threatened to light the torch OF war
and Industrious peoples into a sanguinary
and exhausting conflict But better coun.
sells prevailed and Chile and Argentine
agreed TO submit the boundary question to
the arbitration of the king of England.
His award has been rendered and accepted
by both nations.
narrative. The two nations have entered
into treaty whereby they agree to sub.
NIT all questions which cannot be settled
by diplomacy to arbitration, the only ex-
ception being those involving principles OF
their constitutions. They further agreed to
stop the construction of more naval yes
sells and to sell those which were ordered
at the time the war fever was raging
and as a result there are now I'm the naval
dockyards OF Europe several war vessels
They also agreed to reduce their armies
to peace footing and to so maintain them
and to practically disarm their naval yes
sells at home.
As a result Of this disarmament, we are
informed by recent press news from Buenos
Ayres that the minister of marine has
rendered to the minister of agriculture two
of his unoccupied men-of-war to transport
grain and meat products to South Africa,
where the government is seeking TO open
up a new market for their superaburdant
harvests.
Some notice must be taken of the Vene-
zuelan complication, for in II there may
be found edifcation for this conference.
Three OF the most powerful nations of the
world combined In a hostile demonstration
nations. The point which l wish to en1-
phasise is that the public sentiment of
the world and especially of the British
people brought those three powerful ma
tions to halt. II is encouraging to know
that in this era 1t Is not so easy to inaugu-
rate or prosecute an unjust war as 1t was
a century or more ago.
The Venezuela embrogiio has also served
to bring into prorninence the value OF ar
tribunal. 1t was a high compliment to
President Roosevelt TO be solicited to act
as arbitrator OF that dispute But 1t en-
cline the offer, and to refer the contend
Ing parties to the tribunal which his own
nNot the least Of the events OF the past
year tending to peace is the treaty be,
states states and and Great Britain to refer the con-
troverted question of the Alaskan bound,
airy to mixed tribunal of American and
and. I'S from th' the state q the question and Of
public sentiment In the United states. II
Of the fact that even so excellent a prin-
ciple as arbitration has its limitations in
practice II was 10 not se 70
of the Alaskan boundary to the award or a
neutral foreign arbitrator.
sired outcome, it cannot fail to increase
the prospects Of paramount pITt tiNs ar1iSrat0a 0a
great snss Britain Gse 1t viii be femembe-ed tha!
Six years ago Secretary Olney and Lord
Pauncefote signed general arbitration
but it failed to receive the. approval Of
the senate largely because of this bound
treaty. I approved by the senate last FeD-
ruary, is the method of settlement pro-
vided in the olney-P y-Pauncefote convention.
II IL shall prove effective we may have
renewed hope of seeing at no distant day
a general arbitration treaty between these
HERITAGE and a common mission In the
world. II must not be that the twin Latin
republics of South America shall put us
hold aloft as a model for all peoples our
much-vaunted Anglo-Saxon Christian civ
iiization. One of the chief objects of the
opinion in favor of arbitration, and
trust that one of the subjects to be dis
ing a growing and widespread sentiment
throughout the country In support OF this
benscent %easg5s sr5st, bet favOF 0s Of CON
general arbitration treaty between the
american and British governments on the
10 this end public sentiment should be
brought to bear upon the ssIate OF the
United States; That H HdistihnguiShsd, TIM body US is
pie, and when the latter shall express
themselves as favorable TO such a treaty,
ms concentrates our Efforts to bring about
that greatly-desired result
The attendance was neary 800 members,
the largest In the history of Mohonk meet
ings. The following officers were elected:
President John w. Foster; secretaries.
clinton Rogers Woodruff and II. C. Phil
Inns; treasurer, Alexander c. Wood;
Chairman OF business committee, John
Corby Brown; chairman of finance com.
mittee, John B. Garrett; chairman of pub
lication committee, DR.. Benjamin f. True
blood.
DR.. Trueblood gave review OF the years
progress in arbitration.
IN the golf links a drink OF Cooks I'M