The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-05
WAR OUT OF DATE
National Peace Congress Adopts
Set of Resolutions
Setting Forth Its Views OH the
Duty of Nations.
A RBITRATION COURT
And All Work of The Hague
Conference Endorsed.
Advocates Formation of a Uni.
versal League of Peace.

Chicago May 5.-The national
peace congress today adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions:
whereas, Civilization has now
reached point where conscience, rea-
son and the sense of brotherhood are
increasingly controlling men in their
relation to each other; when private
war and the duel have wholly or
largely disappeared, and the different
nations have created for themselves
systems of law and courts by which
dlfferences between their citizens are
peacefully adjusted; and
Whereas, The two Hague confer
ences have created a permanent inter-
national court of arbitration to which
all the nations are now parties; have
approved unanimously the principle of
obligatory arbitration for the settle
ment OF international controversies;
have sanctioned without a dissenting
voice, the creation of permanent in
ternadonal court Of justice, with
judges always in service. and holding
regular sessions and have urged the
government to find a satisfactory
formula for the selection of the
Judges; and have laid the foundations
OF a regular congress of nations by un-
an1mously voting for periodic meetings
or the Hague conference hereafter,
which great measures are the most
desirable steps yet taken toward that
organization and systematic operation
of the nations which shall eventually
substitute law for war, therefore be it
War Out of Date
Resolved, BY this second United
States national peace congress, That
public war is now out of date. relic
of barbarism unworthy of our time,
and that the nations of the world by
joint agreement. by a league of peace
! among themselves ought to make it's
| recurrence hereafter impossible.
Resolved, That no dispute between
nations, except such as may involve
the national life and independence,
should be reserved from arbitration,
and that a general treaty of obligatory
arbitration should be included at the
earliest possible date. Pending such
general treaty. we urge upon our gov
J ernmeat and the other Leading powers
such broadening of the scope of their
arbitration treaties as shall provide,
after the example of the Danish, Meth
erlands treaty. for the reference to
the Hague court of all. differences
| whatever not settled otherwise by
peaceful means.
Resolved, That the prevailing rivalry
| in ornaments both on land and sea-
which impose such exhausting burdens
of taxation on the people, and is the
feeling and war alarms, is wholly un-
worthy of enlightened modern nations
is a lamentable failure as a basis of
enduring peace: and ought to be ar
rested by agreement of the powers
without delay.
Bouquet for the Government.
Resolved, That this peace congress
express its high appreciation of the
action of our government in the recent
conclusion of 23 arbitration treaties,
and in the promotion of friendly rela-
tiOns between the various American re-
I DIihlicS If recognizes with
isfaction what was done by our gov
ernment and representatives at the sec
ond Hague conference in behalf of a
general treaty of obligatory arbitra-
ton, court of arbitra1 justice, the i'm
munity of private property at sea from
capture in time of war; and the estab-
liShnent of periodic congress of the
nations, and in support of the PROPOSE
! tion from the British government for
| limitation of armaments. 1t respect
fully and urgently requests the presi-
dent and the congress of the United
States to take the initiative, so far as
| practicable, in an endeavor to complete
| the work of the second Hague confer
ence in these various directions; and
especially to secure an agreement
among the military and naval powers
/ for speedy arrest of the ruinous COM
petition in armaments now prevailing.
AS an immediate step to this end, we
urge our government In obedience to
the charge of the second Hague con-
! ference as well as the first that all ma
tions should earnestly address them
selves to this problem, to create a spe-
ciaI commission of the highest char
acter for it's consideration, whose re-
port shall serve as a basis for the ac-
ton of our delegates at the third
Hague conference.
/ Resolved. That this congress earn
estly endorses the movement so au-
spiciously begun by the governments
| of Denmark and Great Britain to pro-
vide at public cost for constructive
| measures to promote International good
| understanding, hospitality and friend
ship and appeals to our government
for broad and generous action upon
these lines.
Resolved, That this congress. repre-
senting all sections of our great coun-
try. appeals to our churches, schools
and press our workingmen,s and COM
mercial organizations and to all men OF
good will for increased devotion to this
comman nding cause and such large sup
port of its active agencies as shall
strongly advance the great measures
which are to come before the next
Hague conference and shall maintain
our nation in high and influential lead
ership in behalf of international justice
and order"