The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-22

For Peace and Justice.
Throughout the world the diplomacy
of the present administration has made
for peace and justice among nations
Clear. sighted 10 perceive and prompt
10 maintain American interests. II has
been saRaeious and simple and direct
In It's methods. and conalderate OF the
rights and OF the feelings OF others.
within the month after the last ma
tlonai convention met. Secretary Hays
circular note of july g. 1900, TO the
great powers OF Europe had declared
tho policy of the United States.
"to seek a solution which may bring
about permanent safety and peace to
China. preserve china's territorial and
administrative entity, protect all rights
guaranteed TO friendly powers by treaty
and international law. and safeguard
for the world the principle Of equal and
impartial trade with all parts Of the
Chinese empire"
The express adherence OF the pow
ers Of Europe 20 this declaration was
secured. The open recognition Of tho
rule OF right conduct imposed its limi-
tationa upon the conduct Of the powers
in the orient. II was made the test
OF defenaible action. Carefully guarded
by the wise statesman who had secured
its acceptance. II brought moral force
of recognized value TO protect peaceful
and helpless China from dismember-
ment and spoliation. and TO preserve the
open door In the orient for the COM
merce Of the world. Under the In
fiuence OF this effective friendship. q
new commercial treaty with China,
proclaimed on october s last, has en-
larged our opportunities. and abolished
internal duties on goods In transit With
in the empire. There were indeed other
nations which agreed with this policy
OF American diplomacy but no other
nation was free from suspicion OF sell
fish aims. None other had won con-
fidence In the sincerity OF It's purpose,
and none other but America could rem
der the service which we have render
ed to humanity In China during the
past four years. High evidence OF
that enviable position OF our country,
is furnished by the fact that when all
Europe was In apprehension lest the
field of war between Russia and Ja-
pan should no spread al to involve
China'a ruin and universal conflict,
II was to the American government
that the able and far-slghted German
emperor appealed, 10 take the lead
again In bringing about an agreement
for the limitation OF the field OF action
ha ~ NhA aAt tttta
tratiye entity of China outside of Man
churia; and that was accomplished.
Dispute With Canada.
Upon our own continent dispute
with Canada over the boundary OF
Alaska had been growing more acute
for 80 years, A multitude OF miners
swift TO defend their own rights by
force were locating mining claims
under the laws OF both countries in
the disputed territory. AT any moment
"A fatal ARRAY between Canada and
American miners was liable TO begin a
conflict In which all British Columbia
would be arrayed on one side and all
our northwest upon the other. Agree
ment was impossible. But the Alaskan
boundary treaty OF January "a. 1908,
provided tribunal for the decision OF
the controversy; and upon legal proofs
and reasoned argument, an appeal has
been had from prejudice and passion TO
judicial judgment: and under the lead
OF great chief justice OF England, who
held the sacred obligations OF his judi
clal Office above all other consIdera-
tinnu tha AlaA,atn ha -.
ever and substantially in accordance
with the American contention.
The Hague Tribunal.
In 1900 the first administration Of
Mckinley had played great part in
establishing The Hague tribunal for
international arbitration. The prevail
Ing opinion OF Europe was incredulous
as TO the practical utility OF the pro-
vision, and anticipated paper tribunal
,unsought by lltigants. II was the ex-
ample OF the United States which set
at>Qaught this opinion. The first in
ternational case taken to The Hague
tribunal was under our protocol with
Mexico of May 90. 1902, submitting our
contention for the rights OF the Roman
Catholic church In California to a share
of the church moneys held by the Mex
lean government before the cesslon,
and known as the Pious fund; and the
first decision of the tribunal was an
award in our favor upon that ques-
tion.
When in 1908 the failure OF venez-
uela to pay her just debts led England,
Germany and Italy TO warlike measures
for the collection OF their claims, an
appeal by Venezuela to our government
resulted In agreements upon arbitra-
tlon in place Of the war, and In a re-
quest that our president should act as
arbitrator. Again he promoted the
authority and prestige OF The Hague
tribunal, and was able to lead all the
powers to submit the crucial questions
in controversy to the determination OF
that court It Is due greatly to sup
port by the American government that
this agency for peace has disappointed
the expectations of its detractors, and
by demonstrations of practical useful
ness has begun a career fraught with
possibilities of incalcuable benefit to
mankind.
On April ii, 1908, was proclaimed an
other convention between all the great
powers agreeing upon more humane
rules for the conduct Of war; and
these In substance Incorporated and