The Washington herald., 1907-06-30
GET DOWN TO WORK
The Hague Conference May
Accomplish Results.
READ CAPT. MAHAN'S PAPER
American Naval Officer, Retired, De-
cIares Nations Must Not Agree 20
Submerge conference.-the Coun-
tries Cannot Agree on Vital Points.
Choate Speech Discussed.

The Hague. June 2.-The various COM
mittees Of the peace conference have now
settled down to the detail work. and the
accounts Of their debates raise hopes
that the ultimate results Will be Of
genuine Importance.
On the other hand, each proposal
which seriously changes or modifes ex
listing international law. either In regard
10 the rules OF war or the settlement Of
disputes. is opposed by one or moro Of
the great powers. When, therefore. It
is borne in mind that no proposal can
be adopted without unanimous consent. II
Will be realized that the practical scope
Of action at the present session Is mar
rowly circumscribed. We may expect
work of real value in codlfying and clar-
flying existing international law and also
in expanding TO some extent the functions
Of the arbitration tribunal
The delegates read to-day with the
greatest interest an article on this point
by Capt Alfred Mahan, L. S. n, re-
tired. IN the National Review.
In this article the writer emphasizes
his previous warnings against any nation
or any man advocating responsibility In
the issues OF right and wrong. and there
fore Of conscience. He points out that
no nation can, In the present state Of
civilization, sign away beforehand its
power Of moral action in underlined. IN
foreseen circumstances, and submit 20 a
partial third party a question. not OF in
e. 81 faa.c lfff N GnngriOnra
Mnhan Urges Caution.
It cannot. therefore, rightfully commit
Itself 20 such a course in advance, ex-
cept for such cases as are admitted 70 be
Of clear definition. Capt. Mahan urges
careful limitation and definition OF the
exact functions Of the arbitration tri-
bunal, and argues that such questions as
that Of the Pacific, Rassia's need for &C
cess TO the sea, the requirements Of Ger
many and Japan OF expansion, the case
Of Cuba and the Monroe doctrine, cannot
be dealt with by arbitration.
In conclusion. Capt Mahan deals with
the question of ornaments as follows:
1t is well that We Should invoke the
moral power to help heal the evils Of the
world as a physician brings il 10 bear
on the Ills Of the body. But few are pre-
pared % rely upon Il alone. We need
material aid as well. The dykes Of Hol-
land withstand by direct opposition. the
natural mission Of the North Sea TO
swallow up the land they protect.
Force Must BE Guided.
THE levees Of the Mississippi restrain
and guide TO betterment the course Of the
mighty current which, but for them would
waste its strength to devastate the shores
on either hand These two artificial de-
vices represent a vast expenditure Of
time. money, and energy, OF unpToductlve
labor. so called. but they are cheaper
than a flood The police OF our great
cities prevent an 9utburst OF crime, the
fearful possibilities OF which manifest
themselves on. happily. rare occaslonS
when material prevention has. from any
cause lapsed The police bodies are a
great expense, but they cost less than a
few days Of anarchy.
Let US not deceive ourselves by fancy
ing that the strong material impulses
which drive these masses Of men whom
We style nations or races. are 20 be
checked or guided. unless 10 the argu-
ment OF reasonable contention there be
given the strong support OF organized ma
terial power II the organized disappear
the unOrganized will but come into svrer
and more dreadful collision"
Delegates Dealt With.
The question Of how to deal with the
great body Of delegates Of the smaller
powers has been skillfully managed. Thus
far they have been treated with the great
est personal consideration, but so far as
real business is concerned they are ig-
nored.
No other course is possible, as the seri-
Gus work Of the conference Is done in prl-
vate consultations between representa-
tives Of the principal countries. There
may be heartburnings or protests later,
but thus far no friction has arisen.
Mr.. Joseph Choate's great speech in
favor OF the exemption of the mercantile
marine from seizure In time Of war is
generally regarded as the chief event in
the deliberations at The Hague up to
date.
The point most talked about, however
Is NJ Nelidoff's significant reply that If
Mr. Choate's proposals were adopted. IL
would remove one Of the principal deter
rents Of war. for any nation having a
large mercantile marine would hesitate
long before risklng the destruction of her
commerce.