New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-12
PEACEHAKERS.

During the last week there have been runoES
of a menace of war between two Central Amer
lean states There have also been reports OF
efforts TO avert that menace. Now there Is
ground for hope that the latter have proved or
will prove effective. If so. there Will be canse
for sincere qualification. There will also be pre-
scented to the world practical object lesson
instructive suggestive and inspiring. ana ex"ep
tionally timely. coming. as il Will. upon rue eve
of the new congress ar The Hague and following
closely upon a somewhat persistent attempt 10
make the United States appear not only as a
sort Of International hailiff, but also very much
like selfish bully toward its neighborS Mt the
south.
1t will be observed that this menace OF war
followed. not preceded an agreement for arbi-
tratiou. That circumstance il to be commended
10 the attention of those who affect TO regard a
general arbitration treaty rs an lnqlSpehNaole
and iufallible international panacea lheSe
states had agreed to submit their differences 10
arbitration but the result of that operation had
neither moral physical power for sell
enforcement That is not p universal iinPeach-
ment of arbitration which Is often tenement
and efficacious process. 1t is. however. re-
hinder perhaps unwelcome. hut nevertheless
true and pertinent of the facts that agreements
TO arbitrate are not always kept and that aro'-
traton does not always or necessarily serve inc
ends of Justice and Of peace. There nave Deen'
as we have hitherto observed arbtral VerdlcCs
which were open to grave suspicion OF partiahtT
and injustice and which. therefore, even WhlI@
acouiesced in, were regarded with resentment by
those whom II would scarcely be too much 10
describe as their victims and there have also
been some which would not have been accepted
but for recognition Of the possibility that phys
zeal force might compel their acceptance
In the present case an arbitration treaty
failed. Resort was therefore had to the nfu-
pnce of other powers. or perhaps we might say
those other powers eXerted or are eXertlng
their influence Thus far it is purely moral and
dinlomatic II is 70 be expected that il will
remain so to the end and will be effective for
the preservation of peace. But the identity of
The states which exercise il suggests that that
mora, and diplomatic influence derives its eff
cheney from the fact that il has behind II the
potentiality of simply irresistible physical com
pulsiOn We can scarcely imagine. let us say.
Salvador and Panama exercising successfully
such influence over Nicaragua aud Honduras.
They are just near neighbOrs OF the dlspu-
tants. and they might put forward just as eogent
moral and diplomatic arguments, Their arGu-
ments and appeals would be ineffective because
there would be no physical potentialIty behind
them But when Mexico and the United States
make such arguments there Is something back
of them which even the most blindly bellicoSe
must see and understand.
1t is Supremacy fitting that great nations
should thus employ their strength. 1t - as fit
ting moreover that the great powers OF Amer
ica as that those of Europe should do 80 The
world has applauded the action of the European
powers In intervening. sometimes with moral
and diplomatic arguments (backed with armies
and navies 10 make them effectiveI, and some
times with immediate and direct force TO re-
strain their lesser neghbors from war. There
would be gross inconsistency in censuring Amer
lean powers for doing the same thing. Beyond
doubt such action is to he taken most discreetly
and upon only the clearest cause But the same
is TO be said of all international action. It
would be wrong for q great nation 10 meddle
between its neighbors without ample justfca-
lion. So would It be wrong for nation to be
partial toward of the two between which
1t was called upon 10 arbtrate. We are inclined
TO think that correctness of conduct may be AZ
confidently anticipated in the one case as in the
other.
The circumstance is also to be noted with sat
Isfaction that the peaceful influence is being
exerted hy Mexico and the United States to-
gether The precise details of the understand
ing between these two powers need not now be
dwelt upon. The essential fact is that the concert
exists. That fact is a rebuke and refutation
of the miserable pretence that in maintaining
the Monroe Doctrine and It's compliments and
coroIaries the United States aims to establish
for its own selfish ends a despOtiSm over the
other American states. II demonstrates anew
that this country desires nothing but the pro
lection of its nelghbors in independence and the
maintenance of peace and justice among them.
and that il cares not what American powers
secure those ends. provided only that they he
secured