New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-03
PROMOTION or PEACE.
Mr. Carnegie Further Elaborates
His Ideas on international Tribunals
To the Editor of The Tribune.

10 me Editor OF The tribune
Sir: must take issue with you upon mat
ter Of fact. You say that individuals are not
left free to choose other tribunals'-they have
only TO agree to do so. being left free to create
other tribunals or to settle disputes themselves
Just as we have national courts for disputants
who cannot agree TO settle otherwise so shall
the nations have their International court (prob-
ably the Hague Conference for such nations as
cannot agree but both nations and individuals
viii he free. as now. mutually to create or choose
other tribunals There are probably hundred
individual disputes settled outside Of the regular
courts 10 one that is settled within I submit
that there will be not one iota Of difference in
the status Of individuals and nations in this
respect.
on the other hand, there is truth in your
other contention that the international courts
would be alien while in the disputes OF individu-
ais they are native. Il should be remembered
that the enormous foreign trade of nations
reaching thousands Of millions yearly. has been
and IS to-day subject 10 allen courts. and that
we have the record Of 5I4 international disputes
satisfactorily settled by alien tribunals a sug-
gestion that the alien courts Of civilized nations
could not be depended upon TO execute righteous
judgment and enact substantial justice could not
10 fairly made. Experience would contradict IT,
II nations can submit their trade 10 alien tribu-
nails surely they submit their disputes.
You ask Would the international court have
the same authority and power over nations that
existing courts have over individuals. 10 summon
under penalty and 10 execute sentence by physl-
cal force?'
No: the international court established for the
end We have in view would give its award in
disputes between nations. and rest Should any
nation refuse to be bound by its decision and
proceed TO make war it would then deyove upon
the agreeing powers 10 enforce the decision and
compel peace. This is the armed imperialism"
1 advocate. nothing less. There must be force
so overwhelming 70 enforce peace that It viii.
humanity speaking, never need 70 be used. OF
course Rome. lin the height Of all her glory
never reached the position of this sublime all
ance Of nations to forbid war History has moth
ing TO record comparable with it. If we except
the abolition OF slavery. which 10 akin. The
owning of man" and the killing OF man. are
very much alike. 'th, sum Of all vilanes" We
had recent Illustration OF combined action Of the
five powers marching through China TO Picking
under German general for common purpose
These same powers to-day combined could pro-
claim that nations are now interdependent IN
great degree. and rapidly becoming more so. no
nation can be hereafter permitted to dis
which all nations more or less concerned.
You may think this is so impossible as TO put
consideration" but when the first Hague Con-
ference met such might have been said Of the
creation N q permanent Tribunal 10 GrbitIdIe
international disputes II not dreamt Of
by those who called that conference II would |
be no greater surprise If al its coming meeting |
q combination OF powers was formed pledged |
20 inform nations that their disputes must no |
longer involve war.
So far from the idea being visionary that |
there can be a reign OF peace thus secured. |
place upon record the opinion that this century |
VIII not pass without seeing II accomplished !
Even to-day II is in the power Of Germany 10 1
est blish it, Were the Emperor 10 propose such /
a combination Of the powers I venture the pre- |
dictiOn that the rulers Of country. the Pres |
ident foremost and the rulers Of Britain. the /
Prime Minister foremost, with the cordial APP
pTOVal Of that genuine peacemaker the King, |
both rulers being supported by public opinion In |
America and Britain. would favor il. That /
France. Italy and other powers would also join /
is probable. Al international police. never ag- /
gressive, but ever enforcing peace. is not far |
of. Impossible as this appears 10 YOU II would |
not involve much. il any, greater surrender or |
sovereignty than involved IN Germany, |
Britain. France. Japan and America agreeing 70 !
cooperate for a specific purpose in China The /
first agreement might he for few years only.
but once in operation could rest assured that
The world would never again tolerate the killing
~ men by men in battle like wild beasts as
mode Of settling disputes. II would have learnt
The better way-kno"ing war no more.
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
Cumberland Island. Ca Feb 2G. 1907.