The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-20

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
In spite of the fact that several of the
nations of the earth are engaged in active
warfare and that even the most enlightened
governments are in constant state of pre-
paredness for war. it is undoubtedly true
that stronger sentiment in opposition TO
the settlement of international disputes by
force exists now among intelligent and
thinking people than ever before. Such
people will be gratifed and encouraged on
learning that the subject of obligatory in
ternational arbitration is being considered
by a special committee of the United States
Senate. While such q committee do
no more than to investigate the possibilities
of securing peace by peaceful methods the
serious and official discussion of the mat
ter in of the worlds most influential
legislative bodies may properly enough be
considered long step toward the desired
end. 1t is a subject that calls for careful
and patient study and not for hasty action,
but should the investigation eventually re-
suit in the formulation of a plan for arbi-
tration which our own government is will
ing to accept as a means of settling it's
possible quarrels with other countries it is
certain that the proposed system will at
least be respectfully considered by all other
nations. Ethical arguments in favor of.
peaceful settlement of disputes may not
have great weight with every government,
but the practical one of its comparative in
expensveness must appeal to them all.
War and the state of being ready for war
| form the costliest items of every govern
ment budget and are a perpetual source of
| anxiety to statesmen on this account, to
say nothing of the drain upon the resources
| of the people.
| Modern enlightenment teaches the folly Of
war between enlightened nations. Perhaps
neither Russia nor Japan can be classed
unreservedly in this list, since neither has
! fully emerged into the highest grade. of
civilization known to the age, yet there
| can be no doubt that at least one and per-
haps both of these governments would have
| preferred a peaceful settlement of their
quarrel could it have been achieved with
honor. II is possible that Japan, which has
in view the purpose of taking higher rank
among nations through success in this
war; would not take kindly just at present
to the arbitration idea, but it will do so
later, even If 1t wins in this conflict. II
will find that the keeping up OF its reputa-
ton as a strong military power involves
troubles and responsibilities that it has
known nothing OF before, and that are only
| in n
active waging of war. Even now. when il
is enjoying the intoxicaton of triumph over
a powerful foe, it's wisest statesmen may
have misgivings as to the future. At al
events, so far as the public understands
the matters in dispute, there is nothing tina,
might not easily be settled by arbitration
! Concessions might be made by each t.
given what il needs without real loss Il
the other If the reasonable certainty tina
each would be left to control its own di
vision undsputed accompanied the settle
ment the people who should occupy the re
spective portions would doubtless be con
tent Whatever may be the sentiments o
the two nations in question, had compul
| "
the world would now be spared the contem
pIation of the horrors of war, and the un
fortunate victims would be free to pursu
the vocations of peace.
The exercise of force will always be nee
essary to subdue the savage and bruta
peoples of the world, just as police power
are necessary in municipal government, bu
it surely seems as il the time had arrive
when the civilized world should prove it
4 civilization by the adoption of enlightene
methods in the settlement of internations
disputes As Senator Fairbanks, a membe
L of the special committee, says: "Canne
men successfully discuss questions of II
e ternational significance in the serene tr
e bunals of peace as well as upon the deck
e of men-of war with the air filled with til
N missiles of death and destruction? III
e arbitral tribunal affords a ready, fair an
is honorable way of determining most of II
n disputed points which arise betwee
nations