Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-02
OUR TRIUMPH ABROAD
sAll Europe Bows to Us, Says
 Congressman Moon.
ANERIoANsUooEss MUCH ADMIRED

congress ar BrueseAs Sayb SuVFom- acy of the "American Idea" of Arbitration Raises This Nation
 High In the Eyes of the Powers.
 Europe is lowing in submission to the fact that America is king"
 In this sentence his European i'm pressions were summed up by Con gressman Reuben o. Moon, who re- gently returned to his home in Phila- delphia from a three months trip abroad as member of the American group at the international parliamen- tary peace congress held in Brussels on Aug. 2S and 29, says the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 Congressman Moon also interviewed Pope Plus X. and King Leopold of Bel gium, both of whom were compliment tary to America.
 "Step by step, with ever increasing wonder and admiration, Europe has watched our enormous commerce, our industrial progress, our Philippine un- dertaking, our Panama task and Presi- dent Roosevelt's crowning success as a peacemaker. Things American have swept across Europe and filled it with admiration until 1t has become Eu- ropean byphrase that anything Is pos sible in America.
 "The news of the presidents success in bringing about peace came as won- derful climax to our international con gress on the eve of its adjournment. What Is now known all over the world as the American idea was the most prominent feature of the international congress. All other deliberations dwin- dled into insignificance in comparison with the discussions of the American 1 idea. This was especially brought home to me by interviews I had with Pope Plus X. and King Leopold of Bel gium. They both alluded to the 'Ameri- can idea
 | Hast year in St. Louis the American idea first took shape in the resolutions recommending. first, general arbitra- | tion treaty which would give The Hague court a jurisdiction, and, sec ond, that delegates be elected or ap- pointed to an international congress with power to make laws for The Hague court to enforce within it's juris- diction
 "It was in Brussels, where the peace congress met, that met with the most interesting experiences. had an in terview with King Leopold which last ed for more than half an hour, and during that time was enabled to learn at first hand what royalty really thinks of America. The king is one of the most delightful gentlemen I have ever met. He is trained linguist and speaks English perfectly.
 "Everything which the king said to me was a compliment to America. He expressed the greatest admiration for I President Roosevelt and said: Your president is one of the most remarka- ble' hien-of the age, and watch every thing that he does with deepest ad- miration. I have his picture. with his autograph, hanging in my room, where 1 can see 1t every moment. He is an inspiration
 "The king said he thought the Amer ican people were the most marvellous of the age. They are great, they are strong, they are factors in every art and science, and they must be eonsid- cred in every great movement that Is undertaken by the nations As mat ter of fact, the same thought was ex- pressed everywhere we went through the capitals of Europe. Everywhere | it was asked; What does America think? What will America dor
 "The argument of the American group at the international congress was this: The Hague court, as It exists only by common courtesy, has no Ju- risdiction and no laws. Now, then,' said the Americans to the Europeans, you have started this, and you have arrived at a point where you must | take one step further and give The Hague court jurisdiction and laws or let 1t die of hamilton Our idea, how ever, was so radical, so fundamental, that the European nations said 1t was simply impossible, absolutely revolu. tionary.
 But Richard Bartholdt, chairman of the American group, had worked out and presented the basis for our general arbitration idea in such masterly detail that 1t not only challenged admiration but also met most effectually all obJec tions.
 "One of the ablest European states men, Count Apponyi of Hungary. sd | mitted frankly that Mir. Bartholdt's masterly presentment of the American Idea left him no ground for objection He said be wanted only to add to American proressivenees European caution. The matter, therefore. was re ferred te a special committee of i've. who must report back within three months or before the next Hague con ference.
 Then as 6 climax on the eve of our adjournment came the news of Presi dent Roosevelts wonderful triumph for peace, illustrating most forclbly the supremacy of the American idea of ar. bitration over the terrors of war. As such the peace news was enthusiastic ally greeted in the historic Hotel de vIIla where we were all gathered at q ball The kings band played Amer. ca and that night the phrase Any. thing is possible In America was