The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-07

belief that there has been real |
growth among the civilized nations |
of a sentiment whichs will permit a |
substitution Of other methods |
than the method Of war in the settle
ment Of disputes. It is, not pretended
that as yet we are near position in
which it will be possible wholly to
prevent war, or that just regard for
national interest and honor will in
all cases permit Of the settlement of
international disputes by arbitration;
but by mixture of prudence and
f1rmness with wisdom we think it is
possible to do away with much of the
provocatlon and excuse for war, and
at least in many cases to substitute
some other and more rational method
for the settlement of disputes. The
Hague court offers so good an exam
pie OF what can be done in the di-
rection Of such settlement that it
should be encouraged in every way.
Further steps should be taken.
In President McKinIey's annual mes
sage OF Dec. 5. 1898. he made the fol-
lowing recommendations:
Quotes Mckinley.
"The experiences Of the last year
bring forctbly home to us sense of
the burdens and the waste of war.
We desire, IN common with most civil
lized nations, to reduce to the lowest
possible point the damage sustained In
time of war by peaceable trade and
such cases less than other communi-
ties, but all nations are damaged
more or less by the state Of uneasiness
and apprehension into which an out
break Of hostilities throws the entire
commercial world. It should be our
-f~s IL o.. ss~s.. -
practicable, this tnevitable loss and
disturbance. This purpose can proba.
bly, best be accomplished by an In
ternational agreement to regard all
private property at sea as exempt from
capture or destruction by the forces
Of belligerent powers. The United
States government has for many years
advocated this humane and benehcent
principle, and is now In sa position to
recommend it to other powers with
| out the imputation of. selfish m notives.
T therefore suggest for your considera-
ton that the executive be authorized
| to correspond with the governments of
| the principal maritime powers with a
view of Incorporating into the per-
manent law of civilized nations the
| principle Of the exemption of all
| private property at sea, not contra
band of war, from capture or destruc-
ton by belligerent powers" "
E cordially renew this recommends
ton.
The supreme court, speaking on
EDee. IL, 1899, thru Peckharn, J., said:
r. 1tIt is, we think, historically accu,
rate to say that this government shal
always. BEEN in its views. 8 along. tht
\ nost-adXanceds sofSt thea eagoveTnInentasso
4 the world in favor Of mitigating /. Al
I to all noncombatants, the hardship
/ and horrors of war. To accomplish
: l.. I>s@ H. Ao1x 1Hy0 fnf
those rules which would in most case
do away with the right to capture thu
private property Of an enemy: on tn
high seas
Shipping In War Time.
H. + advocate this as a matter Of 1lu
1nanity and morals. It is a.nachro
nistic when private property is re
spected on land that it should not b
) respected at sea. I'M oreover, 1t .shoul
be borne i1l& mind that shipping repre-
! sents, internationally speaking.a mucl
more; generalized species of privat
property than is the case with ord
? nary property on land-that is, prop
: erty found at sea is much less az
| than is the case with property foun
: ION land really to belong to any on
nation. Under the modern system {
! corporate ownership the flag Of
! vessel; often differs from the flag whic
: would mark the nationality. of the re;
i Izownership and money control of tn
vessel: and the: cargo may belong
individuals of yet a different natior
J ality. Much American capital is no
3 invested in foreign ships; and anon
foreign nations it often happens thu
g 1.-THE capital of one is largely investe
II in the shipping of another. Further
d more, ,lAsas a practical matter. it; ma
- be mentioned that, while commert
II destroying may cause serious loss ar
+ great annoyance, it can never be MOI
t than a subsidiary factor in bringir
= to terms a resolute foe. This is no
: we'll recognized by all of our nav
n experts. The fighting ship, not tt
n commerce destroyer, is the vess
e whose feats add re1lown to a nation
i hist ry and establish her place amor
IS the great powers of the world. -
/, Last year the; Interparliamental
IS union for International arbitratie
i, met at Vienna, six hundred membe
,f.1 Of the different legislatures of civI
it lied countries attending. It was pr
: vided that the next meeting shou
j. be in: 1904 at st. Louis, subject to o.
y congress extending an invitation. Lii
- The Hague. tribunal, this 1nterparli
" mentary union is one of the fore
~ tions Of the earth, and it. is entitl,
:, to our. support. 7 trust the invit
~ ton can. be extended.
1t That Ecu de Joie.
e, Early in July. having received
s, telligence, which happily, turned Q
Q, Ito be erroneous, Of the assassinatt
lie Eof our vice consul at Beirut d
oe patched small squadron to that pc
for such service as might be -four
1e necessary on arrival. Altho the Z
le tempt on the life of our vice cons
tr had not been successful, vet the OF
as rage was symptomatic Of a state.
III excitement and disorder which
he manded immediate attention. The 6
re rival of the vessels had the happit
or result. A feeling Of security at on
rs took the; place of the former alal
ct and disquiet; our officers were &C
st daily welcomed by the consular bo
ne and the leading merchants, and or,
he nary business resumed it's activity. T
w W government Of the sultan gave q &C
90 90 siderate hearing to the represent
= g tions of our minister; the official w
- = was regarded as responsible for
y disturbed condition of affairs was ]
- ~ moved Our relations with the Tur
~ ish government remain friendly; c
e claims founded on negotiable tre'
a. ment of some of our schools and m
ue sions appear to be in process of ar
us cable adjustment.
~ 10 Relations With China.
Il WIT ss~-. q