The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-08-07
AMERICAN DELEGATES PLEAD
FOR ARBITRATION COURT.

AMERICAN DELEGATES PLEAD
FOR ARBITRATION COURT.
Joseph Choate Proposes the Estab-
lishment of an International Court,
Composed Of II Judges, and Sup
ported by All Nations, to Which all
Nations Desiring Peaceful Solu-
ton of Disputes May Refer Them
The Hague, Aug. 1.-The general
opinion expressed tonight is that the
real peace conference began today
with the initiative Of the American
delegates. who for their speeches to-
day on arbitration, are praised for
their determination to carry logical
proposition, that is believed to be the
most important effort towards the
| paciication Of the world. JOS. H.
Choate and James Brown Scott, Of the
American delegation, before the spe-
cial committee on arbitration, re-
viewed the American proposition,
dealing with arbitration from the
standpoint OF humanity as we'll as Of
international law
Prof. De Martens, of Russia. de-
clared that the principle Of arbitra-
ton nov under discussion was pro-
posed by Russia in 1899. Germany.
Great Britain and Mexico in general
supported the American proposition.
DR.. Drago, Of Argentine, supported
the Argentine proposition.
Mr. Choate in his speech explained
that the instructions given to the
American delegates were to see that
the judges of this court be selected
from different countries, and that they
should represent the different sys-
TENS of law and procedure, and the
most important languages of the
world. The court was to be of>such
dignity consideration and rank that
the best and ablest jurists could ac-
cept appointment thereto. The cause
Of genera! arbitration as a substitute
for war in the settlement OF interna-
tional differences, has advanced with
leaps and bounds since the call of the
first conference. Nothing more strong
ly demonstrates the utility of the
great work of that conference than
{.
the general resort Of nations to aTbi-a
tration agreements among themselves,
as sure means Of securing justice ard
protection.
"Our nope is to preserve and per-
petuate the excellent work of the first
conference, carrying it on to its logi-
cal conclusion.
9TH work of that conference, how
ever. has net proved altogether ade-
aua,e to meet the progressive de-
mands of nations.
The plan proposed by the United
States said Mr.. Choate, docs not
depart from the voluntary court al
compelled to come to it, but it will be
compelled to. come TO it, but it iwll be
open to, all who desire to settle their
difference by peaceful methods
Mr. Choate described the project,
article by article, i'll eloquent terms.
dwelling on every salient point
The United States proposed that
the expenses of the. new court and
the salaries of the judges be borne by
| the powers IN common. This would
make the court free to whoever ap-
pealed to it. Mr.. Coate proposed that
a suitable committee be appointed TO
form constitution for and decide
upon the powers and character of the
projected court. saving he thought it
would be we'll to have L judges in-
stead Of 13 that the country repre-
sentation be more general In con-
clusion Mr. Choate said:
1T is six weeks since this confer
ence first formed and there is GER
tainly no ticle TO lose. We have done
much TO regulate war and very little
20 prevent it, Let us unite on ohis
great pacific nseaS,,.e and satisfy the
world that the second Peace Confer
ence really desires that in the future
peace and not war be the normal con-
dition OF civilized nations