New-York tribune., 1906-08-08
FACILITATING ARBITRATION.

The third Pan-American Congress follows the
Interparlamentary Union with declaration In
favor of international arbitration. 1t was not
however, led or inspired 10 such action Dy the
London conference having practically been COM
mitted 20 the adoption of such resolution no
less than four months ago by the action OF the
governing board of the international Bureau Oh
American Republics in putting the matter OF
arbitration foremost on the programme of the
Rio Janeiro congress- 1t is well to recal the
precise wording of that item of the programme,
which was unanimously adopted on April last.
1t was as follows:
A resolution affirming the adherence Of the
American republics to the principle OF arpltra-
tion for the settlement OF disputes arising pc
tween them, and expressing the hopes OF tne
republics taking part in the conference that tne
international conference to be convened at Ihe
Hague viii agree upon general arpitrauon . pa
convention that can be approved anu put HI
operation by every country.
That is what the organizers of the Pan-Amer-
lean Congress proposed to have the assembly at
Rio Janeiro adopt That, we assume, is what
IL has adopted 1t is not universal or even a
Pan-American arbitration treaty, but merely the
expression of opinion that all American states
ought TO have arbitration treaties among them
selves. and of hope that the next conference at
The Hague will formulate a universal arbltra-
ton treaty acceptable to all nations. 1t is not
a
pulsory arbitration to arbitration of all ques-
tions without reserve, or, indeed, to any part1c-
ular plan. but simply to the general principle
with-it is nationally understOod-such lmita-
tions and stipuIations will make it most ac-
ceptable TO the greatest number OF the worlds
sovereign states.
The adoption Of such a resolution is an emf
nently practical and statesmanlike thing, which
we have no doubt will be productive Of substan-
tial good. It will certainly mean much for all
the American states to enter the next Hague
conference and there vote unanimously for
general arbitration treaty. We shall not be sur
prised if thus decisive majority Of that body is
found to be in favor Of such measure. OF the
desirability of a uniform and universal arbitra-
ton treaty, even IL somewhat restricted in scope
of arbitral subjects, there can be little question.
II would greatly facilitate the submission of dis
putes TO arbitration and the conduct Of arbitral
proceedings and would be much more service
able to the cause OF international justice than
some OF the visionary altruism proposed at the
meeting of the Interparlamentary Union. Com
puIsory arbitration, as our London correspond
ent observed in his letter on the worlds peace
which we printed yesterday is impracticable: !:
so is Mr. Bryan's benevolent scheme for sub
mitting all disputes to arbitration; while as for
dsarmament-let Messieurs the Armed Powers
beginl But TO make an international statute for
the arbitration of even a few classes of dis
putes, which shall be invoked and become opera
tive as a mater OF course, just as our domestic
laws are and do will mark a great and substan-
tial advance toward that reign Of universal JUS
tice which alone can make possible the reign Of
universal peace.