The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-18
PEACE CONGRESS- COMES TO END WITH TWO BANQUETS;
 FRANCE H0NORS CARNEGIE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ID

FhOM IAGE l.D ------~---~---~--------~- the governments? No doubt they some- times show a want of firmness in resist ing popular passion, but they say and often with truth that it is popular feel ing that pushes them into war. Or is tho fault with the newspapers? We all know that the newspapers fan the flames and spread it. But what is their motive? They want to please the public; they believe the public likes to have its passions aroused. The press is what the people make it. Every nation has just such newspapers as it deserves. The blame after all rests with the people them selves who lose their heads under excite ment. They can resist everything except temptation
 Now, gentlemen, we have got to face the facts and see what can be done to make a nation recognize in times of ex- citment the truths which it has realized when it was in it's sober senses, before fighting fever has got into the brain There seem to be only three things that can be done to prevent the recurrence of these fever fits; one is to reduce that pride that every state feels in having enormous military and naval forces-a pride which necessarily draws with it the temptation to use the armaments which 1t has taxed itself so heavily to main- tain
 Every one admits tie enormous diff ficulty of bringing about a general limi- tation of armaments. It may be impossi ble to secure that limitation at once, but it is an object of such supreme impor- tance, especially to the countries which find the burden of taxation a grievous one. that it ought to he seriously dis cussed and ought to be kept before the minds of all the great peoples as a prob lem which has got to be solved sooner or
  easier. for while the difficulties do not diminish. the armaments go on increas sing. We must hope that an earnest effort will be made at The Hague conference 10 consider this question and to bring it at least one stage nearer to solution.
 Practical Step.
 The second practical step that may be taken Is to make general arbitration tre- ates, and to enlarge their scope by in cluding as many causes of International differences as can possibly be referred to arbitration, where the matter is not a strictly legal one could be made the subject of mediation and conciliaton. The great advantage of such treaties is that they interpose delays and allow the bet l ter sense of each nation to subdue it's passions. Even if the matter in dispute is not one which a court of arbitration can ultimately settle the resort to arb- tration gives the voice of reason to time to be heard and brings the opinion of the world to bear upon the two parties at variance. Nations are naturally jeal- ous of their own honor. but when they find the opinion of the world does not think that concession prejudices, their honor they may be more willing to make the concession.
 Lastly. Though it Is true that such g congress as this. meeting in time of peace. cannot be relied upon to avert some fresh outbreak of passion. still it is none the less true that it may do something to form an opinion of his own responsibility for the removal of this oldest of evils oi humanity. The spirit of christianity is in the modern world more bent on dealing with the actual evils that afflict the world than perhaps it ever was before, and every gathering such as this does something to help its beneficient action and to summon the masses of the peo- pie to listent to its voices.'
 Baron de Constant.
 Baron de Constant appeared at the Hotel Astor dinner shortly before Il o'clock He was introduced as bringing a message from France, and after paying a tribute to America and her institutions, he re ferred to the work for peace which is now going on in this country under Mir Carnegie.
 At this portion of his address Baron de Constant brought forth a jewel box opened it, and, turning to MT. Carnegie said:
 "On behalf of the president of France and as a public testimonial of his esteem and qualification of your act in build- ing the beautiful palace of peace at The Hague, I have the honor to bestow upon you the cross of the legion of honor Let me attach it to you myself, MT. Car negie.' said Baron de Constant. tying the red ribbon from which the cross hung pendant about the iron masters neck. "and let me hope that as you are good American, and a good Englishman, you