The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-27
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
ZsAszk Conference. Tells Why business
Men Should Promote 1t

@SSSSS SSHi~io"co A~sas " ny Dusiness
Men Should Promote 1t
One of the most significant signs oil
the times is the circular put out by
the special committee appointed at the
last meeting of the Mohonk Confer
ence giving reasons why business men
should promote international arbitra-
ton. Below The Independent quotes
these reasons in full from the circular.
1t will be noted that but little stress
is placed upon the fact that War is
HELL" that it is little else than murder
On a huge scale; but the whole bur-
den of the song is that it doesn't
'payo-and business men, are pre-
sumed to be fearful of supporting any
thing that might cause risks and
losses" or increase their taxes and
expenses"
This is certainly a compliment to
those who hold to the materialistic as
distinguished from the idealistic the
DRY of society. 1t frankly admits that
Influenced by the things that cause
risks and losses than they are by
appeals to their sense of right and
wrong. Perhaps the Mohonk Confer
eLce has done the wisest thing Sup
pose we apply the same theory to the
Philippine question: Does that "pay?"
If not, isn't it about time that bust
ness men, take steps to get rid OF
this expensive white elephant? The
circular says:
WHY BUSINESS MEN SHOULD PRO
NOTE INTERNATIONAL AR
BITRATION.
First-Because the industrial, finan-
cial and commercial interests of all
Lations. and of all sellers, buyers and
producers, are now SO closely inter
woven, and the prosperity of each is
so dependent on the prosperity and on
the producing or purchasing power of
others, that the loss Or injury OF one
must necessarily become to some ex-
tent the loss or injury of all.
SecOnd-Because peace and good
will between the nations are essential
for the prosperity of all, and war is as
certain to result in disturbance and
disaster for business interests as it
is in suffering and death for the SOL
diers who face the horrors of the bat
tlefield. Even the fear of war is some
times sufficient to check the wheels
OF industry and commerce, to turn con-
fidence into panic, and to increase
greatly the risks and losses as well as
the taxes and expenses of business
men.
Third-Because there are times when
international arbitration is the only
means by which war can be avoided
without submission to injustice or dis
honor.
Fourth-BecauSe international arbi-
tration is proved success and not a
mere theory or experiment AS one
OF the many evidences of this it may
be stated that in the last century
nearly two hundred cases submitted by
thirty-seven nations were settled by
arbitration or joint high commissions,
and sixty-three of these cases were
submitted during the last decade.
Since 1898 twenty-six nations, repre-
senting more than five-sixths of the
territory and population of the globe,
have united in establishing at The
Hague permanent court for the pa
cific settlement of all international
disputes that may be submitted to it.
F1fth-Because experience has shown
that arbitration is not only a practi-
cally infallible means for preventing
a war, but that it is also so effective
in removing the desire for war and
promoting friendship, that there is no
need for any form of coercion to en-
force the decision This is the nat
ural result Of full presentation of
both sides of the case, the carefully
considered opinion of disinterested ar
bitrators, the modifying effect OF time
en- human passions, and the knowledge
that there can be no suspicion of
weakness or timidity in accepting an
adverse decision.
Slxth-Because business men can do
more than any others to convince the
people that war should be classed with
the duel and the old trial by battel"
as something too absurd, too wicked
and too horrible to be tolerated: and
that arbitration should be regarded by
all men and all governments as a mat
ter of course in every dispute that
cannot be settled by friendly negotia-
lions.
Seventh-Because il it should ever
be possible to tighten the burdens of
industry and commerce by checking
the Increase or securing reduction