The Washington times., 1908-05-20
ARBITRATORS MEET
At LAKE MOHONK
John W.. Foster and ]. B.
Scott, of Washington, Speak
at Opening Session.

LAKE MOHONK. y. Y. May %
With 900 delegates. the largest in the
history OF the movement, the fourteenth
annual session OF the Lake Mohonk
Conference on International Arbitration
opened here today, the only drawback
being the weather II raining hard
DR. A. Z. Smiley the founder, vel
coined the delegates and the sessions
VIII last four days, Most OF the busi-
ness meetings viii be held IN the even
ing. the days being derotet % exSsfr-
sions, etc.
The opening address was by the
founder OF the Lake Mohonk Confer
ence. Albert Smiley. who congratu-
lated the delegates on the progress
made during the year on behalf OF in
ternauonal arbitration.
The Hague Conference, he said, ap-
proved four OF the FIVE applications
made on behalf Of the conference. This
showed the strength OF American di,
plomacy abroad. he argued.
Approved Work.
The four granted, he said. we-c:
Stated meetings OF the conference. a
permanent JuGtCtaI tribunal. a modified
general treaty OF arbitration. ami ire
prohibition Of armed forces collecti-E =
private claims. The only one turned
down was the guaranteeing OF the in
volatility iof private property at, ser
Smiley referred 70 the recent meet. lg
Of the represent tatives OF the Ce,--aI
American republics, and their agren-
ment on the plan to prevent civii strife.
as another tribute TO the efficacy OF the
Lake MOhOnk conference end closed by
appealing 10 all conferees TO continue
the good work
James Brown Scott Of Washington,
solicitor Of the Department Of State, 8
member OF the second Hague confer
enoe. reviewed the work OF that body,
saying that certain failures were more
than onset by success,
"Wa- was not abolished, nor was
pace legaIized INTO existence" ne said.
But We shOuiG nCt overlook the real
positive progress that was made. The
future IS very bright There are thirty
four powers that are willing 10 agree
on treaties that viii make for peace
and we can assure our friends that the
last Hague conference resulted in a de-
cided American triumph, which will
make certain America influence in the
next"
Gains Made in Year.
Benjamin f. Trueblood, secretary of
the American Peace Society OF Boston.
said universal arbitration had made
great gains throughout the year.
Among other things he said:
THE failure OF The Hague to give
US a treaty of obligatory arbitration is
being made up in part b. he continua-
tion OF the conclusion Of treaties OF ar
bitration between the nations in pairs.
Since the close OF The Hague confer
ence this Government has concluded
six treaties and we have at the present
time in effect no less than ffty-five
treaties already in force. The entire
year has shown great gains Of the uni
versaI arbitration everywhere"
Former Secretary of State John w
Foster. of Washington. president OF the
conference, praised both The Hague
conference and the meeting Of the Bu-
reau of Central American Republics
He also declared that the prospects for
the future are bright.
Il have studied the spirit and policy
OF the nations of Europe and OF the
East" he said, and I see no threat
ening danger TO our peace or safety.
In my opinion there never was a time
when there was less likelihood of war
between US and foreign nations as the
present. Our destiny in the future. as
in the past, should be along the paths
of peaceful industries and the intel
lectual and moral well-being OF our peO-
pie. The victories Of peace are infinite
" greater than those of war"