New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-19
ARBITRATION REASONS.
SPEECH BY MR. CHOATE.
DR.. Drago Defends His Doctrine
SPANS Nez0 Desire.

~ CNt't u ~ I ~ LICCu
The Hague, July 18-The sitting of the peace
conference to-day has been one of the most
important yet held, both for interest in the ques-
lions discussed and for the powerful speeches
delivered by Joseph H. Choate, Luis NJ. Drago,
Of Argentina, and Perez Trana. of Colombia,
while in addition Spain made a declaration
which attracted much attention as revealing the
desire of the Spanish government to assume
kind of moral tuteage over the Latin-American
countries
Spains declaration says that that country adj
heres to the principles of moderation. which in
spired the American proposition limiting force
for the collection of public debts. these being the
principles that the government and the King
have followed and will always follow.
Spain sees to-day" it says, as an accom-
plished fact what she has ardently desired since
the last conference. namely the presence at The
Hague of the representatives OF the Latin
American nations. which are sisters of ours in
language and in race. Spain is disposed to
cept every proposition tending within the limits
OF international law to facilitate the legitimate
and peaceful development of the Spanish Amer
lean republics. The doctrine just enunciated by
It's illustrious author. Dr. Drago. was not in
Guided in the programme; therefore. it could not
obtain our support. but an earnest protest
against possible wrong from the of force 1t
deserves all sympathy"
In closing his address Joseph H Choete made
an eloquent appeal to the nations enter into
a general convention, which ought to be entirely
alstnct and independent. for the settlement of
disputed questions arising In arbitration.
AT the proper time" he said I'VE shall ask
for an opportunity TO explain views the
project we offered for terrifying the present
Permanent Court of Arbitration and for the
organization therefrom of a tribunal which shall
compel the confidence Of nations and be the
necessary sequel to the general arbitration
agreement which we now Offer
REASONS FOR ATTITUDE.
Mr.. Choate had previously stated reasons
that had induced the American government to
propose general treaty of arbitration.
The dangers and mischief threatening the
world from constant preparation for war and
the accumulation Of arms" he said have been
somewhat mttigated by the excellent work of
the first Peace Conference in recommending ar
hltration to the nations as substitute for
and the establishment at The Hague of a per-
manent court.
Since this time great events have occurred
and two terrible wars which inflicted untold
miseries upon many nations have led TO inter-
national agreements Of arbitration. separately
and in pairs. There is no reason why nations
that agree by each other or two by two should
not agree all together To exactly the same
thing"
Mr.. Choate then referred TO the excellent work
done insthis direction by the Pan-American con
ferences at Mexico City and Rio de Janelro. and
II was under these circumstances. he said. that
the United States proposed general arbitration
treaties corresponding in form and substance to
the many individual treaties which had been en-
tered into. including those negotiated by the
United States in 1904. but reserving the right OF
the Senate TO take part in any special agreement
which might become necessary for carrying the
treaty into effect in particular cases.
Mr.. Choate's remarks were interrupted often
by the applause OF his hearers. and when he was
through he was warmly congratulated by many
OF the delegates.
DIR. DRAGOS ARGUMENT.
The matter Of the collection OF debts occupied
the entire morning session OF the subcommittee
Luis NJ Drago CArgentine) delivered long
argumentative speech in support OF his doc
trlne. He declared a great step backward would
be taken by the acceptance Of that part OF tho
American proposal which allows appeals TO
force for tho executing Of disputed arbtral
awards. BY the acceptance Of such measure.
DIR. Drago continued the nations would recog-
nize war as an ordinary accessory TO the law,
and they would establish more cause for
legitimate war. This would be contradictory 10
the purposes OF a peace conference having for
its objects the dmnution Of the causes OF war.
Perez Triana Colombia spoke IN opposition
10 the employment Of armed force for the col
lection Of any Kind Of debts
The Peruvian delegation has presented the fol-
lowing amendment 10 the American proposition:
The principles established by this PROPOSE
ton cannot be applied 10 differences arising
from contracts between the government Of one
country and the foreign subjects Of another
when the contracts provide that these differ
ences must be submitted 70 the judges OF local
tribunals"
The Venezuelan delegation presented n dec
aration the same subject, making the same
objection as Peru, with the addition that in case
no contract exists all diplomatic means OF reach
ing an understanding must be tried before
course is had TO the permanent court of arbltra-
ton The Venezuelan declaration ends with
these words
1T is understood that said differences are TO
be settled through peaceful means without re-
course TO Coercive measures implying the en-
poyInent OF military naval forces"
The committee dealing with the bomhardment
of undefended towns and villages approved to-
day the Italian proposition forbidding such acts.
T-pon leaving the sitting Brigadier General
Davis one of the American delegates, remarked:
"Since the time OF julius Caesar no example eX-
lists Of an undefended town being bombarded.
but the conference took three weeks 10 realize
IT,"
The American delegation has presented to the
peace conference the following proposition:
"If for any reason captured neutral vessel
cannot be tried the vessel must be released