The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-17

ldnS1Di6 ana enduring IOT0l the ytet4ilHSS
and experiments of preceding ages, ana
it challenged to higher and more effective
efforts the hopes and the ambitions of
coming years.
NobIest "ParIament of Men,
The question now before the world is to
make the tribunal of The Hague not
merely seat of justice before which the
nations may convene. but one before
which they are agreed to appear, before
which universal opinion compels them to,
hasten to build up even to its most exalted
copingstone this noblest parliament of
men. Where in this magnificent Work
shall stand the United States of America?
Even now the tribunal of The Hague
owes much to the United States. Not
only did this country send delegates TO the
conference that organized it, but our gov
ernment was the first among the first, if
not the very first. to approve the tribunal
after 1t had been organized. More yet,
the first case sent to the tribunal for
adjudication was sent thither by the
United States In conjunction with our
sister republic of Mexico-the celebrated
case of the Pious Fund; and it's second
case reached it when the president of the
rendered to himself bade three Of the
great powers, Great Britain, Germany and
italy. to submit to it their claims against
Venezuela-stiH more, it is American gold.
the gift of Americas philanthropist, that
is now speeding toward The Hague to
erect there the palace of peace the
permanent dwelling place of the tribunal,
worthy in its Splendors to house its fair
tenant the goddess herself of justice.
And now the executive of America asks
fnat America make TO the tribunal of The
Hague further. and yet more glorious,
contribution of life and glory, by inviting
all the nations, signatories to the original
peace conference, to unite with herself in
bringing to this tribunal for final adjudica-
ton cases of difference, within certain
Defined limitations that may in the future
arise between them and herSelf-thuS
making it an ever living and in very truth
an international court of appeal In this
last contribution America has been in
part preceded by France and England.
Ihls pact, however, between France and
nations; the proposal of the executive of
America will bring thitller- all the ma
tons signatories to the original peace
conference and in this manner tend to
make the United States the most effective
FACTOR IN the upbuilding of the tribunal,
the most effective factor in securing, uni
versa, peace through universal appeal
to enthroned justice
Not Inspired by Timidity
know of few things more honorable
Tor america than the proposal made by its
executive to enter into arbitration, treat
les with the powers signatories to The
Hague conferences proposal soon to be
tolloWed, l have no doubt, by one of the
same intent to other powers, chiefly those
OF south America. that were not among
such signatories. The proposal is made at
the epportune moment-just as America
rises unehallenged as a world power when
all mankind wonders and questions what
may be the significance of her sudden en-
trance into the arena of international
hesemohy, II is made when America can
afford to make it, in the .fullness of her
dignity and self-respect, when no nation
may believe that timidity or a sense of
Ii ners own weakness, is her inspiring mo-
We await the assent and approval of the
senate OF the United States That such
approval and assent shall be readily and
quickly given, We cannot allow ourselves
to doubt-the merits of the proposed
treaties are manifest; the INTELLIGENT
large mIndedness and the genuine Amer
isL1 ican spirit or the senate are beyond de-
bate; the people of America are too de-
slrous OF peace with honor, too Responsive
To- the voice of justice. too ambitions of
Anef1cas true glory, not to applaud be-
the treaties now under consideration. The
rejection of the treaties in their present
stage, by the senate. or the people of
America, would throw upon etl1e coIntry,
the olluS of refusing International arIi-s
ttfation when the world is ready to ACCEPT
IA Ia posiIlon INTO which America can
not permit herself to be thrown
II IS 10 be remarked that tbe treat ties
submitted to the several foreign govern
ments are all of the same tenoT-aH flowing
no no room for apparent preference of one
no Jealousy. wounding no suscentibifity
among friends and admirers of one ns
tlon over another. This was q wise pre-s
caution on the part of the eyeclifiye
Special alliances with one nation fo the
peril OF others, are not in the shirt of
american history, and would often lead
ai,ia, sEi 70 peace. but to war; nor would sucn
S allidHctS appear as genuine overtures of
peace and good will to all mankind as we
wish the proposed treaties to he as tl,e
Ioserss ito.tt 4 on humanity. the world over. ex-
2enls them TO be-undoubted evidences of
me grandeur of soul and the agna rirnifv
OF purpose Unborn in the worlds first and
greatest democracy. ,-i->. .
Do Not Go Too Far
We are told the treaties follow closely
upon upon, the ines OF that recently concluded
pelNeen england and France The mat
ters. then to be submitted to arbifration
are differences of judicial order N. ,.el OF
s.dae;o atlHe TO !, the interDretation of existing
ties e'es ,, 3esWeen the two contracting par
not nave been possible to settle by dinIo,
macy; and excepted from arbitration,
ests al III, Eases involving the vital inter-
the two contracting states or the inteT-
eslS oil any state other than tIe two oo,,
racing states. No one will say the
do not a1t9 90 ~ f., 100 dar some may say they
me treaties now before the senate as-
suteuy. - te " 90 not go too far. If arbitration
is to be al all courted as means fo, An AZ,
settlement of international disn,,tas n<,ti, e
ing less could be considered nothino. aIse
Is more appropriate a subject maffe,. fSr,,
ooJuuiCetieil Dy q tribunal than differ
sLlces OF judicial ORDER or relative to
the Interpretation of existing treaties ;,
All points, on which international nrida
ana devotion to national honor NAV. with
any pretext of reason build ,In nrotests
are excepted-the vital interests the In
dependence or the honor of the country
Room suff1cient still there is for an occa
slenat open dispute for other nations.
room sufnc1ent still there is to worship
at the shrine of Mars. and to procure now
ana tnen to America the pastime. or the
glory of a great battle On land or sea
over which waves triumphant the star
spangled banner
May 1t be said that the treaties do NOT 90
far enough This. perhaps is the i1de
ment OF not a few of the tried advocates
OF international arbitration. But is ii NOT
much to have what those treaties do Of
fer? Are not many of the disputes like
ly in the futt to arise. many of the
disputes that did in the past arise dis
putes ofS'a judicial order or relative to
the interpretation of existing treaties2,,
Are not disputes of this nature those that
most frequently occur when weak ma
non Is summoned peremptorily by the
stronger to give an account of itself nm
der penalty of seeing its customs seized.
much for peace and justice that such dis
putes be forever put beyond the peril of a
settlement by mere physical force?
| sweeter and Better Things
And to the advocates of wider extern
sion OF the sphere of arbitration. TO the
most enthusiastic of them, may / not say
Edo not the present treaties put US on the
road to sweeter and better things. and
! must We not. on this account hail the
moment Of. a2fnal ratification? What will
the ratification of the proposed trea ties ae-