New-York tribune., 1908-05-23
PEACE CONFERENCE ENDS
Ambassador Takahira and Others
Speak-Platform Adopted.

Lake Mohonk. N Y, May 22-The fourteenth an
nual Lake Mohonk Conference on international
Arbitration held its final sessions to-day and
adopted platform setting forth It's views the
peace movement. The platform csmmends the
work of the Hague conference, notes the existence
Of fifty more international arbitration treaties
concluded within the last five years. commends the
activity of educational institutions and business
professional and labor organizations toward the
prevention of war and rejeiees in the fnel act Of
the Hague conference for a future meeting
The principal address of the early session was de-
livered by Baron Kogoro Takahira, japanese Am
bassador to the United States Others who spoke
to-day DIR. Henry c. White. Of the University
of Georgia; President Joseph Swain, Of SWartn-
College, William P. Rogers dean OF the La"
School of the University of Cincinnati; Rear Ad-
niral F. E Chadwick retiFed); Rollo Ogden. or the
New York Evening Post; Hamilton Holt of The
independent" and the Rev. DR.. F. H. Rowley. of
Boston. Baron Takahra in his address, said IN
part:
Arbitration is considered practical means MS 10
bring about the amicable settlement OF esarEe
friendly relations between nations WITH the prog
ddenee among the nations has been gradually pro-
NOTED, the moral sense of duty advanced ana Ine
ately lessened needless say that the United
States has distinguished itself in the foreign polles
by high sense OF justice ana Ialr pay, anu st,
with such power. streEg and ciyihzeo' aaz as are
plished than what has been done
1t seems desirable. therefore, that not only "a an
putes but also a means to prevent snch Gisputes
should be considered and adopted II possible. In
doubtedly il is much more difficult to devise such
a measure through mutual understanding De-
tween nations It is, perhaps, impossible, but II
the moral sense of duty among the nations ad-
vances with the progress of civilization 1t appears
entirely hopeless to attain such end in some
way.
a careful study of international disputes estab-
lishes ii me. that they arise almost
much. If more, from the internal conditions of
the country affected they do from the conflict
of outside interests and it is a peculiar feature
of such questions that where they occur there
almost always signs of disorder, retrogression
misgovernment. In this respect political obServa-
ton somewhat resembles meteorological observa-
tons The rain comes down from where there are
clouds
AS regards Japan, the incessant criticism and
complaints that have been brought against her
garding her attitude and policies in the Far East
appear be in my opinion, due TO the rather hasty
conclusions Of travelling observers. Some ad-
vanced against action in field OF in
dustria activities in Manchuria others against the
attitude have adopted in the less orga nized king
dom under protection. These countries have
allowed themselves fall into unhappy condt-
-dsorganized, misgoverned, impoverished-and
thus have permitted themselves to become the
prey Of sinister design and selfish purposes With
such countries neighbors, Japan could not feel
repose, but found her position threatened, and
ures for her self preservation and to assume re-
sponsil,ilities for their peace and happiness:
If every country deals with the matters between
nations also its internal affairs in right
spirit. l that even arbitration will no
longer be found necessary and you will be able to
fully enjoy a genuine tranquility OF the spring
days this beautiful spot on Lake Mohonk