Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-07
SUBSTITUTE FOR WAR
Arbitration Movement In
Diplomatic History.
PRESENT TENDENCY
Attitude OF THE LEADING
POWERS DISCUSSED.
Principle Which Has Been Known for
Centuries Seriously Considered
Only In Late Years.
PRESENT TENDENCY

PACScut dctiVlSy Oh secretary nay III uoKO-
tiating arbitration treaties and the Dogger
Bank board Of inquiry illustrate the ten
dency of the age to submit all differences
to an umpire for settlement. Public opin-
ion over the whole world is gradually be-
Ing educated to understand the horrible
cost OF modern war. and it Is naturally
turning to favor any means OF avoiding
armed struggles. War at present and war
In the fifteenth century are totally unlike
both In methods and in cost. The rapid
firing, long-range runs, shells, mines and
similar instruments Of modern warfare
have made war much more horrible than 1t
was centuries ago. But the increased cost
Is not the only cause of the unpopularity
OF war. There also seems to be a more en-
lightened sense of duty and justice among
the peoples of the world. which tends to
create feeling of revulsion against war.
Indeed. 1t seems as If civilization Is reach.
ing such an advanced stage that warfare
will soon be superseded and the peaceful
means of arbitration will take its place.
Arbitration and Increase Of Armament.
1t is interesting to notice that the present
trend toward arbitration is occurring
simultaneously with the rapid increase of
the ornaments of the different nations. To-
day is the age of immense navies and 81
gantic armies, equipped with the most i'm
proved machines of modern warfare, and
there is not one firSt-rate power which does
not intend to increase it's naval armament
In the next twenty-five years. Every great
power realizes the necessity Of maintain
ing large navy, and national jealousy has
compelled many a country to Increase its
number of warships In view of this rapid
ly increasing expense, 1t is possible that
this phase of the question had some infiu-
ence in inducing the Car of Russia to call
congress of nations to find some means of
reducing the existing ornaments.
The principle of arbitra ton has been
known for centuries, but only of late years
has there been any serious attempt to
put 1t into practice. In classical times the
Greek leagues were accustomed to submit
their differences to a council for arbitra-
ton and several Grecian treaties contain a
clause providing for arbitration to avoid
war wherever possible. With the Romans,
however, arbitration was impossible. Their
martial spirit could only be satisfied by
complete conquest and any peaceful means
of settling disputes was out of harmony
with their national character. They knew
of arbitration only as an academic princi-
pie of international law and they had no
desire to put 1t into practice. They only
knew the law of the sword, and miltarism
in its most rampant state was the policy
of their empire. In the middle ages condi-
tons were unfavorable for arbitration
as in Roman times. The medieval rulers
and the great baronS had no desire to fur
Their the cause of arbitration and this state
of Indifference continued down to the last
century. Even late as 1898, when the
Emperor Nicholas of Russia called the
peace congress, his invitation was received
with more or less skepticism. A number of
influential newspapers openly accused him
of duplicfty and few students of political at
fairs really expected much to be accom-
plished However, the congress did ac-
complish many valuable results and its eff
forts have had a wider influence than was
anticipated.
England Converted.
Though England has been strenuous ex-
ponent of warlike methods in the past. she
has of late been converted to the paths of
peace. The Boer war was a severe lesson
for England to bear and 1t doubtless helped
her to become an advocate Of arbitration.
Moreover. the English people, like the
Americans, are beginning to hate the
thought of an armed conflict and their eff
forts are being directed toward finding a
substitute for war.
Germany also is supporter of the prin-
cipIe Of arbitration and would like to see
it put into practical use. Her position, how
ever is somewhat homogeneous Her rapid
ly increasing population makes 1t necessary
to establish more colonies to hold her sur
Mus popula ton and this fact accounts for
her activity in southwest Africa. But at
present there Is little unoccupied territory
in the whole world, and most of this Is In
the sphere of influence of some power which
will prevent Its occupation by Germany. In
spite of this aggressive colonial policy, now
ever Germany Is ready to submit all nef
Iy accepted President Roosevelts call for
a second peace conference as an evidence
of her peaceful Intentions.
France Favorable.
The attitude of the French government
toward arbitration is also favorable Sew
eral months ago Foreign Minister Delcasse,
in reply to a question In the champer Oh
deputies relative to the proposal or the
United States for the reassembling OF Inc
Hague peace conference, said that the
American initiative had received most
sympathetic welcome. the general policy or
France being an assurance of frlendly
attitude toward the proposition, ana thae
definite action was delayed by the arrange
ment of the details of the program ana .ne
maturing of the sentiment of the champer
and public. At the Thanksgiving banquet
of the American Club in Paris, Baron
d Estournelles de Constant, one OF the
French representatives at The Hague peace
Conference in 1898, commended the action
of America as a peace power, and ended
his address with a toast to the success OF
President Roosevelts proposition LOT d sec
ond meeting of The Hague conference rms
incident alone illustrates the attitude OF
France toward the question OF arbitrauon.
Russia's Attitude.
The position of Russia as an advocate OF
international peace is similar to that of
England The historical policy of Russia
has been the most relentless military ag-
erosion, and she not only conquers, but
also endeavors to incorporate the subjected
territory into the Russian empire Con-
seauentIy when Count Mouravien. the
Russian foreign minister, sent out, at the
direction of the car, the invitation to a
general peace conference, the diplomatic
world had valid reason to be startled. On
account of the existing conditions in the
far east Russia recently found it necessary
to decline to participate in the second peace
conference suggested by President Roose-
Welt, and the meeting of the conference will
probably have to be delayed. Japan also
made similar reservation, providing that
no action should be taken by the second
conference relative to the present war
The policy of America in the past has
constantly and consistently been in favor
of a peaceful means of settling interna-
tional disputes. No people are more united
in a hatred of war than Americans though
they often show an admiration of military
! exploits. Public sentiment In America be-
gan to crystalline in 1892 when the Massa-
chusetts senate adopted by a vote of 10 to
8 a resolution to establish some means for
the amcable and final adjustment of all
international disputes without resorting to
war. Again little prior to 1910 there was
considerable popular agitation regarding
the convocation of a congress of nations
to establish an international tribunal This
plan was commended by the Massachusetts,