The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-03-01

break off friendly relations with an
other government, it recalls its repre-
sentative, who then demands his
passport and leaves at once. Such
proceedings generally precede decla-
ration of war.
But international law has much
higher aims than any so far enumerated.
"Itis the greatest factor for the promo
tion and preservation of peace the world
has ever known" said Earl Beacons-
field. Of course, neither this law, nor
anything else, is able to eliminate war;
but it does more to reduce it than any
other known cause, process, science or
individuality. Having made this state
ment may be asked to name the
wars this law has prevented; and why,
where, and when? That question
would be impossible to answer; for
there is no such thing as war when it
has been prevented. But can cite in
cidents Of which all statesmen, and the
world in general, have declared that
they would have led to war if Inter-
national Law had not smoothed the
way to a pacific removal of the hostile
causes.
For Instance: At the Peace of st.
Stefano, Q877) Russia had forced con-
ditiOns on Turkey which violated the
provisions of the Treaty of Paris 1855
and these conditions endangered not
only Turkish, but also French and, par
ticularly, English interests. The situ-
alton was very grave. The English
press clamOred for war, and even
France, tho already coquetting with
Russia, recognized in the latter
country's attitude provocation for
war. Fortunately for the peace of
Europe, the question involved treaty
rights affecting foar different nations
and, solely for that reason, came di-
rectly under the scope of international
law, which in such cases provides the
calling of congress of all nations.
This resulted in the famous Congress
of Berlin, (1878) in which the disputed
points were amicably adjusted, tho not
exactly to the satisfaction of either
Russia or England. AS q kind of
balm, the Island of Cyprus was ceded
to England, and Bosnia, which Russia
had promised to Servia for her support
in the war, was given to Austria,
merely to remove the bone of conten-
tion. 1t was on this occasion that
D'Israeli made his celebrated speech in
praise of international law, at the
close of which Bismarck, leaning over
to Gortchakof, whispered: 81 told you
that old Jew would be far too smart
for Schuwaloffp' (Gortchakof's spokes-
man, AS this remark may create a
wrong impression, will mention that
Bismarck and D'Israeli were very good
friends and esteemed each other highly,
and that the former acted during the
congress strictly as "the honest broker"
(his own words). Gortchakof, how
ever, was too subtle and crafty to al
low the skilIful but candid English
premier to get too much the best of
him. will also mention that this was
the first time that the United States
participated Through Mr.. Kasson) at
an international congress.
Joint actions of all, or part, of the
world powers establish an international
precedent; but that does not necessarily
mean that they come under the pale of
international law. For such was not
the case in the matter of the joint action
in China at the time of the Boxer
troubles; nor lately, when five European
powers sent out a fleet for the purpose
of 'coercing" Turkey. But the present
congress at Algeciras, called by Ger
many for the purpose of settling her
disputes with France in regard to
Morocco, will deal with the question
entirely on the basis of international
law.
When country is bent on war, there
will be war-right or wrong; laws or
no laws. But it is the concensus of
opinion, that International law has
smoothed over many difficulties which
in all probability would have led to
war. And as to treaties, there is not
on record single case in which it has,
failed to do its work thoroughly and
faithfully. A case in point is promi-
nently before the public eye just now: