Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-29
ARE FOR ARBITRATION
First Universal Congress of
Lawyers and Jurists.
HELD AT ST. LOU Is
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY
JUSTICE DAVID ]. BREWER.
The Hague Tribunal Explained by
John W. Foster and Discussed by
jackson 81. Ralston.

American Bar Association, convened today
In Festival Hall at the conclusion of the
American Bar Association convention. EN-
inent lawyers and jurists from all over the
world were in attendance. The congress
was called to order by F. w. Lehman of
st. Louis, chairman of the exposition COM
mittee on congresses. President R. Fran
els welcomed the congress to the EXPOSE
ton and introduced the president of the
congress, David ]. Brewer. associate JUS
tice of the Supreme Court of the United
States. President Brewer, who was greeted
with applause, spoke briefly, saying. in part
II affirm that the work of the lawyer and
jurist invisible as 1t may be to the physical
eye is of far-reaching value to humanity,
for of what avail would be all the achieve
ments of science if life. liberty and property
were not made sacred by the just admins
tration of law? The fabric of our civiliza-
ton is, indeed, thing of beauty, but 1t Is
made strong and enduring only by the
golden thread of equal exact and UNIVERSAL
justice. All the material splendor of this
exposition Will soon pass away, but the
work done in the various congresses here
gathered will make an enduring impression
upon our advancing social life. Let US not
be turned away from our high purpose by
any glitter of gold or temptations of luxu-
rious life, but ever remember that justice
is the one thing beneath the eternal blue
Vice Presidents of Congress Elected.
The first business was the election of
vice presidents. one from each nation. as
follows:
Argentine Dr. Jose Fernandez; Austria,
Chevalier Adelbert Won Stibral; Belgium,
Prof A. Nernox; British empire. Sir VIII
liam H. Kennedy; China. Mr.. Chow Tezchi:
France. Prof. A. Naraude: Germany. DR.. A.
Hartmann: Italy. Signor Angelo Pavia;
aIeXico Senior Don Manuel AZpiroz; Neither
l@nus, Or. d. Josephus Jitta; Sweden, Vice
Judge G. E. Fahlcrantz: Switzerland, Dr..
-,IelII; United States, Judge Simeon T..
BALDWIN of the Connecticut supreme court.
The following deleg ates were then APP
pointed d commit zee oh nations. to which
committee all matters will be referred dur
ing the congress for action:
Argentine. DR.. Jose Fernandez; Austria,
Cheyetlier AGelbert Won Stibral; Belgium, NJ.
Valentine Brifant; British empire Mr.. JUS
tice NesDitt OF the supreme court OF Can
aua; China. Mr.. Sun SEE zee. France, Prof.
u. Biondel; Germany, AmStricker Paul
Doertenbdch; Italy, Prof. f. Ferraris; Mex
100, Senior Don Emeterio de la Cara; Meth
eriands, Or. u. j. Jltta Sweden, Vice Judge
Fanicrantz. Switzerland, DIR. +. MeiH;
1 nlted States, j. NJ. DICKINSON, Chicago.
Fosters Address on Arbitration.
Former Secretary of State John w. Fos-
ter, LII. D., was then introduced. and made
ternational Arbitration and The Hauge Tri-
brnal' He said, in part:
1T has been reported in the press that the
Secretary OF the Navy has announced him
sell "a 4 favor Oh navy equal to the
greatest navy IN the world l trust he has
Deen miSquoIed. Our government should
hold Itself ready to enter into an agreement
Tor Interna tIonai disarmament anu not for
the increase OF the Eavy. This country
should hold itself to other and far more
peaceful pursuits IN the settlement OF sIrlIe
Than the making OF implements OF deStruc-
uou and death.
lie then entered into an explanation of
tie failure OF The hague conference to ef-
feet an agreement on the subject of inter
national disarmament. He expressed deep
regret that the frui's of war made neces-
sary the permanent increase OF the Ameri-
army. and called attention to the pros
pective large increase IN the annual expen-
Q4tureS or the government for the navy.
Senior Don Emilio Velasco OF Mexico and
Mr. j. II. kalston, LII. D., OF Washington,
u. c.. followed with discussions OF the sub
Ject presented by MIR. Foster Mr. Ralston
said
J. II. Ralston's Address.
In approaching the discussion of The
Hague and other international tribunals
we may felicitate ourselves. those of US
who are Americans, upon the happy history
of the United States with relation to inter-
national arbitration. From the earliest Pc
Rod OF our history the United States has
with remarkable freedom made use OF
courts of this nature. The reason for this
line OF conduct is in part TO be found IN
the pacific temper OF the people who have
always recognized that peace had her VIC
tories no less renowned than war. In a
larger degree, II may be ascrioed to the
happy situation of this country, in that it
is free from foreign entangiementS, indie
pendent in its geographical situation. invit-
ing no foreign attack, because none could
hope Tor success, and feeling no necessity
for possessing itself of the lands of others
The linked States has been strong enough
to be magnanimousi and has had no ambi-
ton inconsistent with the demands of JUS
t!ce.
In addition we may feel patriotic pride
in the high sense of justice displayed by
the United States in its arbitral dealings
with foreign nations. Consequent upon
this history, the United States could have
been expected, and was ready, TO take part
IL all the good work of The Hague conveu-
ton of 1892 and It's history and example.
as we'll as the faithful work of its repre-
seutatives, powerfully contributed to the
notable results there obtained.
Character of Hague Court.
The Hague court is composed of some
seventy gentlemen of high intellectual rank
and distinguished honor but who must
share the aspirations. ambitions and ten
denotes of their immediate environment, and
who il might be feared, would have been
influenced by these things even when called
upon 70 display the cold impartialty of the
righteous judge. Knowing all this, nations
may We'll have hesitated, and doubtless do
hesitate. for the moment, although without
sufficient cause, TO submit their differences
to settlement by them We can better I'M
derstand the position OF the European
lions with regard to the court by referring
briefly to an actual dispute submitted to
it. and possible question which may SOON
e. or later come before The Hague.
The observations are submitted indica-
tive in some degree of possible reason why
The Hague court has not been resorted to
In larger measure. May not any nation be
excused for hesi;ating to place itself IN
der the jurisdiction OF a court composed
OF nationalities whose tendencies might be
regarded as adverse to 1t or Its institu-
lions?
But with the tremendous tendency among
modern nations, fostered by freedom and
celebrity of travel and otherwise and conse-
Quent liberal exchange of thought, toward
uniformity of view in international ques-
lions should these considerations be given
great weight? Because even particular
national ideas seem hostile to those of the
majority OF the other nations, should one
hesitate to have them tested in an inter-
national forum of some description lest an
adverse Judgment should resuitY Again. Ii
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