Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-22
ASKS NATIONS TO DISARM
Mohonk Conference Takes Advanced
Position for World Peace.
LEAVE DISPUTES TO HAGUE
Platform is Adopted without Dissent
ing Voice and is Declared Big
Improvement over Tha
of Year Ago.

MOHONK LAKE. N. Y, May H.-The
Mohonk Peace conference today adopted
resolutions declaring for the gradual dis
of nations and the settlement
OF in~ternatipnal disputes by The Hague.
Dean Kirchwey of Columbia, chairman
of the business committee. in presenting
the platform declared that the situation of
the nations and of International politics
today justified a much more advanced
position than that taken by last years
conference. especially on limitation OF
ornaments, and that, therefore there was
no Inconsistency in the attitude Of the
conference.
william /. Buchanan of Buffalo and
Judge s. E. Baldwin of New Haven
seconded the motion for adoption Of the
platform and commended 1t for what 1t
contained as for what 1t did not contain.
The platform wa then adopted unani-
mously and without dissent or criticism:
The fifteenth annual AXE Mohonk con-
ference on international arbitration, meet
ing on the tenth anniversary of the open
ing OF the first Hague conference, reviews
vance of the cause OF international justice
during the decade, progress unexampled in
any previous period In history. The men,
orabIe achievements Of this period are at
once an inspiration and an imperative call
TO renewed effort.
We urge upon our government, which has
been so -courageously and so honorably
Identified with the progressive policies OF
The Hague, prompt action toward perfect
ing the important measures there inaugu-
rated and the complete development OF the
system Of arbitration. We especially urge
Its early support in the establishment of
an International court Of arbitral justice.
We further urge the negotiations OF a
general treaty of arbitration between all
nations, and look forward with increasing
nope 10 the day when treaties of arDitra-
ton shall provide for the reference to The
Hague Of all International differences not
settled by regular diplomatic negotiations.
The clear logic of The Hague conventions
prescribes the Limitation and gradual re-
duction of the machinery OF war by the
nations parties to these conventions, cor
responding to the development OF the in
strumentalities of law and justice for the
settlement of international differences. The
great of the nations, whose in
tolerable burdens prompted the call to the
first Hague conference have during the de-
cade increased so pOrtentiousiy as to have
now become, as recently declared by the
British foreign secretary, a satire upon
civilization. They fill the world with APP
prehenslon and alarm: they create an at
bitration and their drain upon the resources
OF the peoples has become so exhausting
as to menace all national treasures and
disastrously check the social reforms and
advances which the interests of humanity
demand. II Is the opinion OF this confer
enee that the time has arrived for carry
ing into effect the strongly expressed de-
sire OF the two peace conferences at The
Hague that the governments examine the
possibility of an agreement as to the limi-
Of war budgets" and address themselves
TO the serious study of this pressing ques-
uon. Accordingly we ask our government
TO consider whether the peculiar position
which it occupies among the nations does
not afford II a special opportunity. to lead
the way toward maktn these Welghty dec
action.