The Washington herald., 1908-04-25


lard yesterday.
Secretary Root presiding officer. deliv-
cred the morning address. Other speakers
Included Senator Turner. Representative
Sherley Judge Gray, Robert Lansing.
Prof. Evans OF Tufts College, and James
G. Crosby. OF Iowa.
In the afternoon the members were re-
ceived in the East Room of the White
House by President Roosevelt. The Presi-
dent expressed his pleasure at meeting
The members and praised the work they
are doing.
At the meeting last night. Gen. Horace
Porter read a paper on Arbitration at
The second Hague conference" He was
Followed by r. C. Smith. X C. Of Mon
treal
Secretary Roots Address.
In calling the opening session to order.
Secretary Root said. in part:
IN former times each isolated nation.
satisfied with its own opinion of itself and
Indifferent to the opinion of others. sep
arated from all others by mutual igno-
rance and misjudgment, regarded only the
physical power Of other nations.
Now, however. there may be seen
plainly the effects of a long-continued
process which Is breaking down the iso-
lation Of nations. permeating every eoun-
try with better knowledge and under
standing Of every other country, spread
ing throughout the world a knowledge Of
.each governments conduct to serve as
oasis for criticisms and judgment. and
gradually creating a community of ma
uohs, In which standards of conduct sre
being established and worldwide pub
Hc opinion Is holding nations 10 Conformi-
" with or eondemning them for disregard
OF the established standards.
mere Is no civilized country now
which IS not sensitive to this general
opinion; none that is willing TO sub
Ject Itself TO ithe discredit Of stand
Ing brutaIly on its power to deny TO
other countries the benefit OF recoe-
hlzed rules Of right conduct. The def
erence shown to this international puh-
nc opinion is in due proportion TO a
.ation greatness and advance In civ
lilAauon- The nearest approach to de-
nance VIII be found among the most
lsolated and -east civilized countries
whose ignor~ ice OF the world prevents
the effect CJ the worlds opinion: and in
every su country internal disorder
Oppression. poverty. and wretchedness
mark she penalties which warn man.
Kind mat -tl+e laws established bv civil
lz4lon Tor the guidance of national
conduct cannot be ignored with i'm
punltv
international opinion is the consen-
s sls OF noiWdual opinion in the nations.
Inc most certain way to promote obedt-
eIce 70 the law of nations and To s,,h-
stitute the power OF opinion for the now
CT or armies and navies is. on the one
hand, to foster that decent resnect IN
the opinions OF mankind which found
place in the great Declaration Of 177s
ahd' on the other hand to spread
among the people OF every country
JUST appreciation Of international rights
ana duties, and a knowledge OF the
principles and rules Of internationaI
law 10 which national conduct ought 70
CONFORM, so that the general opinion
whose approval or condemnation sun
PHes the sanction of the law. may be
SOUND and just and worthy OF respect"
Judge Gray Takes Issue.
Former Senator Turner, of Washing
ton, IN his address, said Congress not
only had the right 10 enact laws giving
penal sanction TO its treaty obliga-
uons, but II was the duty of Congress n
avail itself Of this right
Judge Gray, replying to Senator Tur-
ner' said he doubted the efficacy of such
laws. He said they would degrade not
only the States. their judiciary and
their police laws, but might affix a stigma
upon the dual form OF the United States.
In an address in which he referred to
the troubles with the japanese in cali
lornla. Robert Lansing said the laws OF
mat state should be amended To meet
the situation. He said the foreign nation
wants the criminal injuring ifs subjects
punished.
Following the reception at the White
House, the members discussed the oues-
ton or how far loans raised in neutral
nations Ior the use Of belligerents should
be considered a violation Of neutrality.
Nearly ali the delegates took part In the
discussion.
At the night session a large number
we're present Judge Gray presided and
introduced Gen. Porter,
Gen. POrter's Theme.
Gen. Porter outlined the progress made
by the American delegation at the sec.
ond Hague conference. He pointed out
that the compulsory arbitration Iegisla- |
ton, introduced by the United States
delegation, was carried by vote of s2
10 8 He also discussed the enforced COL
lection of debts
Both propositions presented by the
american delegation were finally adopted. |
Gen. Porter said, without a dissenting |
vote
We N1'i never see depressed markets.
blockades established, and commerce in
terrupted to collect contractual debts
during time OF war said Gen. Porter.
while these statutes are enforced"
Gen Porter then discussed the organi-
cation and mode Of procedure. and the
rules and regulations of the high court
Of international justice which would hear
substantially the same relation to the
different countries as the United States
Supreme Court has to the several States
R. c. Smith, K. c., Of Montreal. read
q paper on the question of arbitration
at the second Hague conference. He crit
tcised the establishment of an interna-
uonal court of arbitration, which was
urged by the United States delegation.
MT, Smith pointed out that the neees-
sity OF obligatory arbitration cannot be
oVerestimated, but the question Of
Whether the law should be enacted and
the court then established, or the court
estaonsned before the law is enacted
hindered such a step
General Discussion.
Following the reading of the ESSAYS.
there was a general discussion. Mr.. de
Amaral, counsellor Of the Brazilian Ia-
cation. opposed the views of Mr.. Smith.
At the afternoon session, the speakers
included Henry Stoekbridge. Paul Rein
isch. Robert Lansing Charles Noble
Gregory. and Crammond Kennedy.
This morning and this. afternoon there
will be international topics read and dis