Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-02
THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL
THEME oFiADDREss By JUDGE W.
L. PENFIELD.
Reference to Venezuelan Controversy
Which Was Settled by Arbitra-
tion-Origin Of Conference.

4
| Department. delivered address of un-
usual interest before the Mems Club of the
| Mount Pleasant Congregational Church last
| night His subject was Venezuelan Arbi-
tration." He spoke of the conditions In
Venezuela that led to the attempt Of the al
| lied powers to collect the monies due them
| by force of arms and followed the contro-
| versy to The Hague tribunal. where 1t was
finally sent for arbitration. Judge Penfield
was the legal representative of the United
States before the tribunal. and during the
| course of the address related many inter-
esting stories of the appearance of the cred
| itor nations of Venezuela before the tribu-
nal. In closing the solicitor took most
| hopeful view of the worldwide trend to-
| ward settling all purely legal controversies
| by arbitration.
! His large opportunities for observation
| made the following view particularly IN
tereSting:
while at The Hague last fall I made
| careful inquiries in order to learn who was
| in fact the real author of The Hague con-
| ference and of The Hague tribunal l was
| reliably informed that before The Hague
| conference was called. In 1899. the advisers
of the Emperor of Russia brought tt his at
| tention the question OF the heavy burdens
| imposed upon the empire by their SteadllS-
increasing army and navy so as 10 keep
| pace with the military preparations or other
| European states The car sought for some
| solution of this grave question and ne con-
| ceived the idea of the call OF me Hasue
conference with a view to secure the grad
| ual disarmament of European states ana
| the creation of an international tribunal lor
| the peaceful settlement of their differences.
1t was a sublime conception, worthy OF
Marcus AureIius or of an Abraham Ltncoln;
and even if his hopes are not destined 10 DO
soon realized the results already assured
will forever mark him as one OF the iore
most benefactorS of humanity.
General Disarmament Fails
"As we know the scheme for general dis
armament did not carry before inc Hague
conference. Personally. l do not peneVe
that The Hague tribunal will anord the
means of settling all differences among ma
tons. 1t may, and believe WILL be gen.
orally resorted to for the settlement OF DIS
putes between them Of a legal nature
questions such as gave rise to the war OF
1912 between the United states ana Great
Britain-such as occurred over the Alabama
claims. and such as arise over the con-
struction of treaties and a multitude OF
other questions which in the past have been
productive of war
But there is another class OF questions
of an essentially political and vital nature
that do not admit of judicial decision ror
| want of a system of legal principles TO APP
ply. Questions of the acquisition OF terri
tory of economic policies and the develop
ment of nations commerce-such as the
assertion of the open door in the orient ana
the building of the Panama canal-are cues
tons which cannot be settled upon prime
pies of abstract justice; for there are no
rules of law applicable to such case.
Every such question will be decided on con-
siderations of national expediency, policy
and honor, and, in a general way, VIII De
settled by each state as best 1t can, having
regard to its resources, its economic needs
and development
Need we, then, despair of the progress OF
the cause of arbitration and peace! On the
ry w inst grounds OF nope OF
the finaI audi substantial success OF the
cause The course of that progress seems
me e H. along the fo paths tribna
will mote afsd,more develop and extend IT'S
jurisdiction by the voluntary consent OF
civilized states, 50 that all disputes OF
| legal nature will be finally submitted to IT
for decision. This will save in the future
many, of the, wars which from such causes
have arisen in the past. And the Christian
republic, as foreshadowed by Henry Nv Oh
France or the federation of the common
wealth of states in international congress
assembled, may settle questions of polit-
ical nature affecting the economic interests
of each and of all in a manner similar to
that followed by the United States Congress
acting for all the states of the Union.
Federation Already Exists.
:'In point of fact the federation of the
civilized states of the world already ex-
lists The commonwealth of nations is not
mere figure of speech 1t has a system OF
public law to which all nations yield an
eyer-increasing obedience. 1t has an inter-
ma tional administration of justice and has
now a supreme judicial tribunal 1t would
not be difficult for international con-
gress to codify-to formulate-the univer-
sally accepted principles which make up. so
to speak, the unwritten constitution of the
commonwealth of nations. This cOnStitu-
ton like the unwritten constitution of Eng
land, is sustained and enforced by the pow
er of a growing moral sentiment. which is
moving and uplifting humanity toward
higher ideals of justice among nations, as
well as among men. and is thereby laying
the foundations for a more general and
lasting peace
The musical program for the evening in
cluded solos by Mr.. Thomas Green, with a
pianala accompaniment. Following its Gus
tom the club served refreshments to its
members and their guests at the close OF
the program.
AT the business meeting of the club, pre-
ceding the evenings program, ten new
members were admitted, bringing the total
membership to 49,
RECEPTION TO employees.
Entertainment Under Auspices of