The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-09
nrnGE GRAY,s OPTIMISM.

In his opening address to the members OF the
tenth annual conference on international arbitration
held at Lake Mohonk n Y, Judge Gray exhibited a
degree of optimism that is refreshingbutn not borne
out by the hard facts of the situation says the Gin
cnnati Commercial Tribune A firm believer in in
terna and in International arbitration, the views OF
Judge Gray are entitled to the most respectful con-
sderaton But his citation of examples OF the work
of The Hague tribunal was unfortunate to say the
least Congratulating the conference the progress
of negotiations between England and the United
States looking to the establishment OF board of arbl
tration for the settlement of all questions, Judge
Gray gave to the ear the highest need of praise for
his suggestion of The Hague tribunal work that
will shed more glory on his reign than any triumph,
however great, which his armies may achieve" 1t
is to be so hoped, especially In view of the small
share Of triumph which is now falling to them
But if The Hague tribunal is all that Judge Gray
claims it to be- what necessity is there for court OF
arbitration for the settlement of disputes between
Great Britain and the United Statesi The very fact
Of such negotiations being in progress is Of ITSELF
minimizing of the effects of the establishment Of The
Hague tribunal, even when the contempt in which
the car held it in his defiant refusal to submit to it
the question Of his duty to evacuate Manchura is not
considered. But Judge Gray completely demolished
all cause for optimism when he said:
''The submission to The Hague tribunal of the
claims urged against Venezuela by two or three of
the most powerful nations of the world is another
notable triumph from which to take much encour-
agement for the future
The Judges in the Venezuela case were selected by
the czar of Russia. They were Count Muravietf and
NJ De Martens, both Russians, and NJ. Henry Won
Lammasch, an Austrian. Count Muravieff was chair
man and delivered the opinion Great Britain, Ger
many and Italy, holding claims against Venezuela,
had blockaded Venezuelan ports with battleshlps,
when, through the good offices of Minister Bowen,
submission was made to The Hague tribunal 1t
was not claimed before that tribunal by any power,
that the claims of the three nations were more en-
titled to preferential treatment than the claims Of
the United States France, Mexico other claimant
nations save for the reason that the three powers
had resorted to bockading methods in the enforce
ment Of their claims.
The issue, therefore, was this-does the use of
force by any nation enttle it to preferential treat
ment in the payment Of its claims? And the answer
Of the two Russians and the one Austrian was in the
affirmative. With the holding that force and arms
and blockades were methods recognized by tribunal
primarily established for the maintenance of peace,
the value Of The Hague tribunal was gone. 1t was
the holding that the first bully on the scene with his
gun was entitled to preference against the nation
pursuing peaceful methods. Judge Gray's optimism
is refreshing, but misplaced.