New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-13
THE FAITH or NATIONS.

1t cannot be denied that current performances
in the Balkans afford some excuse for cynical
or peSsmstic view of international faith. If
any convention should be faithfully observed.
surely it is one which was made 10y a concert Of
the powers after mature deIiberation for the set
Element of issues raised by great and for
the equitable adjustment of its results 1t
would not he easy TO conceive of a more serious
and solemn international conclave than that at
Berlin thirty years ago. If now one of the fore
most powers which participated in il can openly
r,1)udiate that treaty refuse to consider its
repudation as subject for discussion and require
that all further deliberations upon its terms
shall be on the basis of unqueStioning acquies
cence in a fragrant breach of faith as an accom-
plfshed and irreverSbe fact, ii may well he
asked what convention is secure. OR, if the
cynical view be accepted that 10 treaty is bind
Ing beyond the seIf-interest Of of its makers.
still the question will arise. If one out of seven
signatores can fout treaty and the ether
SIX cannot enforce il. what can a concert Of
powers do for the maintenance of faith and for
the execution of their viii?
1t is not easy TO recall more arbitrary not
To say arrogant attitude than that which the
AuStrO- Hungarian government has assumed in
the present crisis. Having secured Il certain
position solely by virtue of the permSsiontof the
powers and solely in the capacity Of their man
datary. it abuses that position in defiance of
them and in fiat contradiction of their mandate.
Having by its action caused need of congress
of the powers il agrees TO the calling Of Il con
gress only on the pr0yiso that il shall not 50
much as take into consideration that very
ton which made its cOnvOcation necessary.
Having inflicted a gross and irrepar3ble wrong
upon neighbOring state it assures that state
that its interests will he treated in friendly
manner provided it adopts a proper line Of con
duct-that is. the victim of an outrage will he
well treated SO long il does not resent the
outrage And now we are even told that Aus
tria- Hungary may make an issue Of the re-
''fusal Of the powers to recognize the annexation
"of Bosnia" That is. she may hold il a
grievance against the world If not cGSUs bclIi.
that her fellow signatories of treaty decline
10 approve her violation Of that treaty and her
breach of faith TO them
We are by no means inclined toward either a
cynical or a pessimistic view of this particular
case or OF international undertakings in gen
eral. though neither do we indulge any extraya-
CANT illusions concerning international altrusm.
The present case is undoubtedly marked with
bad faith. Yet It is also marked with righteous
resentment against the faith breaker. which
shows that regard for pledges is by no means
dead The fact that other nations protest
against the act of Austria Hungary instead Of
breach Of faith, is as encouraging the act of
that one power is disappointing. But most per
tinen of all is the episode for the consideration
of those who talk so buoyantly about the abali-
ton of war and all preparation for war and the
maintenance of perpetual pence and the enforce
ment Of universal equity by the consent Of the
powers in an international parliament. There
was an international parliament for legislation
on Balkan affairs. But now its rnactfncns are
violated and It's authority is defied 10y eAne Of it's
chief participants. who confidently counts upon
immunity from punishment and upon being left
undiSturbed to enjoy the fruits of her miscon-
duct. because Of the unwillingness of the Other
powers Ia resort 10 the military measures which
alone could compel her 10 do Justice and ia keep
faith. II is an object lesson On the remoteioss
IF the millennium which need not discourage
those who are aborng for the progressive Gne-
Iteration Of international relations. bpt which
certainly should afford food for thought to those