The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-05

| tration between nations the customary
| way OF settling international disputes ia
! all save few classes OF cases, whlcn
/ should themselves be as sharply denhd
! and rigidly limited~fs the present govern
mental and social development OF the
world will permit. II possible mere
should be a general arbitration treaty
negotiated among all the nations repre-
scntcd at the conference.
Neutral rights and property should pc
protected at sea as they are protected on
land. There should be an international
agreement 10 this purpose and n similar
agreement defining contraband OF war.
DECREASE OF WARS.
During the last century there has been
distinct diminution I'm the number or
wars between the most civilized nations.
international relations have become
closer and the development OF The Hague
tribunal is not only n symptom OF this
growing closeness OF relationship, but is n
means by which the growth can be fur
thered our aim should be from time 10
time 10 take such steps as may be possi-
BILE toward creating something like an or
gainzation OF the civilized nations be-
cause as the world becomes more highly
organized the need for navies and armies
viii diminish. II is not possible 10 secure
anything like an immediate disarmament,
because n would first be necessary 10 set
tie what peoples are on the whole men
ace OF the rest of mankind, and To pro-
vide against the disarmament Of the rest
being turned into n moVement which
would really chiefly benefit these obnox-
ious peoples: but II may be possible 10 ex'
crclse some check upon the tendency TO
swell indefinitely the budgets for military
expenditure.
OF course such an effort could succeed
only n il did not attempt 10 do too much;
and II IL were undertaken I'm spirit or
Il. ftsg..,
merely hystcrical philanthropy, II
is worth while pointing out that since the
end Of the insurrectlon in the Philippines
this nation has shown its practical faith
I'm the policy OF disarmament by reducing
it's little army one-thiyd. But dsarma-
ment can never be of prime Importance;
there is more need 20 get rid OF the
causes OF war than OF the implements Of
war
have dwelt much on the dangers TO be
avoided by steering clear OF any mere
folsh sentimentality because my wish for
peace is so genuine and earnest. because
I have n real and great desire that this
second Hague conference may mark a
long stride forward in the direction OF Sc
curing the peace OF justice throughout the
world No object Is better worthy the at
tention OF enlightened statesmanship than
the establishment of a surer method than
now exists of securing Justice as between
nations both for the protection OF the lit
tie nations and for the prevention OF war
between the big nations. To this aim We
should endeavor not only TO avert blood
shed hut above all. effectively 10
strengthen the forces OF right
The Golden Rule should be- and as the
world grows IN morality II VIII be. the
guidind rule of conduct among nations as
among individuals: though the Golden
Rule must not be constrdued. in fanta tic
manner. az forbdding the exercise OF the
police power. This mighty and free Re-
| public should ever deal with all other
states. great or small. on basis Of high
honor. respecting their rights as jealousy
| as l,%safeguards its own.