The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-05-03
THOUSAND DELEGATES
Continued From Page One.)

court was strengthened and improved
by the second Hague conference two
years ago, and by the admission of
the South and Central American states
to it, has become the arbitration court,
not of the 26 powers that gathered at
The Hague in 1909 but of the entire
world. This tribunal is now taking
practically all the international differ
ences not adjustable by diplomacy.
Within a year there have been referred
to it tbs Casa Blanca dispute between
France and Germany, the fisheries
controversy between this country and
Great Britain, certain questions in
controversies between our government
and Venezuela, and a dispute between
Norway and Sweden. 1t is not likely
that temporary courts of arbitration,
which have been so successful during
the past century, will ever be much
used again in disposing of differences
between nations.
Third In order to determine fur
Their the advanced position which the
peace movement has attained on its
practical side, the Hague conferences
and what they have accomplished must
be taken into account. 1t is still the
habit of some persons to, speak dis
paragingly of these great gatherings
and their results Some do it because
thew are satisfied with nothing short
of immediate perfection; others be-
cause they wish the whole movement
for the abolition of war to fail. Others
do it purely from ignorance.
What have the two Hague confer
ences really done toward bringing
about that state of world organization
and cooperation, the result of which
will, as is universally conceded, bring
the general peace of the world and
final relief from the ruinous burdens of
| 'bloated ornaments because it will
establish the reign of law among the
nations as it now prevails among indi-
viduals throughout the civilizeu world
81 must for the lack of time, forego
the task of attempting to interpret
conventions. Now to the real point OF
| the important work of the conferences
The first Hague conference gave US
| the permanent international court OF
! arbitration, to which 25 powers finally
become parties by ratification of the
convention. This court has now, fol
| eight years, been in successful opera
| ton, and not less than four contro-
! versies have been referred to it during
the past year The second Hague con-
| ference enlargd and strengthened tn,
convention under which this cOur
| was set up. and made the court thu
/ tribunal. not of 25 powers, but of al
the nations of the world Though ref
erence of disputes to this tribunal il
i still in general voluntary. a majority
of the important nations have alread,
by special treaties with each other il
pairs pledged themselves to refer al
disputes of a judicial order and thos'
arising in the Interpretation of treaties
to its jurisdiction. 1t is reasonable t
believe, therefore, that We have arrive,
at stage in the development of ou
movement when there already exists
among the nations a substitute for wa
practically, if not theoretically, ade
quate for the adjustment of all thei
disputes, without resort to force, in
way to conserve the honor and Vita
interests of the separate governments
Another step of still greater mo-
ment was taken by the second Hagu'
conference in the direction of provid
ing perfect substitute for force il
the settlement of international differ
ences. 1t voted without a dissentin,
: voice with judges always in service
and holding regular sessions.
Il have already alluded to the man.