New-York tribune., 1907-08-02
REAL WORK FOR PEACE
DEB 4TE on TRITON.
Americans Praised at The Hague
for Taking InitiGtiUe:

The Hague. Aug. 1.-The opinion is generally
s,,,rassed here tonight that the real peace con-
ference began today in the debate before the
eaeciaI committee on the subject Of general ar
1,irration with the initiative of the Americans.
They supported their proposal for the establish
1ne.,t OF a permanent court OF arbitration, and
are r,raised tonight for their determination to
carry The logical proposition believed to be the
most important effort toward the pacihcation Of
the world
Tr :he debate Il Asser Netherlands ex-
r-esse5 The opinion that the extension of arbitra
tjcn was the only practical way To bring about
imitation Of ornaments Joseph H Choate and
James Brown Scott. f the American delegation.
then reviewed at length she American proposition
dealing with arbitration from the point Of view
y humanity as well as Of International law. NJ.
Martens RUSSIA declared that the principle Of
arbitration now under discussion was proposed
tv Russia in 1888 Baron Marschall Bieber-
STEIN Germany and Sir Edward Fry Great
Britain. although they made some reservations,
IN general supported the American proposition.
as did Senor Barra- of the Mexican delegation
Dr Drago tArgentineb outlined and spoke IN
support OF the Argentine proposal
Nj Choate supporting the proposal for the
establishment OF 4 permanent court Of arbitra-
-aor quoted from the letter written by President
Foosev-.- 10 Andrew Carnegie on April and
read q The International peace congress in New
work h said that the instructions given TO the
American delegates were 70 that the Judges
~ this cour- were selected from different coun-
iris and that they should represent the different
s--s-z-7s r Law and procedure and the most i'm
-,o--sr- languages Of the world The court was
- ~ n such dignity consideration and rank
+-a- -ra best and ablest jurists could accept ap-
continent thereto. The whole world must have
absolute confidence in their judgments
Nobody can doubt Mr.. Choate continued
.--he supreme Importance Of the step in advance
--- 70 ~o1-a yza--a
and huiI5irz no out of the permanent court
created II 1899 q tribunal which will satisfy the
worldwide demand. The cause Of general arbi-
ration as 2 stitute for war IN the settlement
q International differences has advanced with
leaps and bounds since the close OF the first
couferenc7. Nothing more strongly demon
s-rates The utility OF the great work Of that con-
ference than the general resort Of nations 70
arbitration agreements among themselves as a
sure means Of securing justice and peace. thus
avoiding The resort TO the terrible test OF war
'fCur hope 5 10 preserve and perpetuate the
exoe-len- work Of the first conference. carrying
il on - rs logical conclusion. following the
noble Initiative Of Lord Pauncefote, Great Brit
aims wise statesman and delegate, whose per-
s-asiy5 words never VIII BE- forgotten.
The work Of that conference. however. has
r0I proved airoget er adequate TO meet the pro-
g-ess 1ve demands Of nations. In its eight years
of existence only four cases have been sub
rnit1el the tribunal. while Of the sixty judges
nared as members Of that body two-thirds have
not teen called upon 70 serve
The plan proposed by the United States does
not depart from the voluntary court already
established No nation will be compelled TO
cone before il but i viii be open To al who
desire settle their difference by peaceful
rneth1Es~
Here Mr.. Choate described the project article
by article in eloquent terms. dwelling on every
salient point. One thing that prevented more
frequent recourse 70 The Hague tribunal as
created by the conference Of 1893 he satd had
been the expense. and. the United States pro-
posed that the expenses Of the new court and
the salaries of the judges he borne by, the
powers IN common This would make the court
free 70 whoever appealed - it Mr.. Choate
then r-oposed that a suitable committee be an-
pointed % frame q constitution for and decide
upon the powers and character Of the projected
court saying he thought i would be Wei to
have seventeen judges instead Of fifteen. 50
that tie country representation might be more
general
1t is six weeks since this conference first
ssee-~rIe5~ NJ Choate said in closing, 'and
tre-a is certainly TO time TO lose We have
do-e much 20 regulate war, and very little 70
prevent Il Let Us unite on this great paclnc
measure and satisfy the world that the second
peace conference really desires that in the fut-
ure peace and not WAT he the normal condition
Of civilized nations"