The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-16
NOTES OF DISCORD
AT PEACE MEETING
Continued from Page One.

The machinery. he said. had already
been provided
Senator Root contended that it was not
an unwillingness 10 arbitrate which kept
nations from submitting all questions TO
court for decision, but a fear that they
| could not obtain an impartial tribunal
Among the difficulties of arbitration he
cited the. fact that different systems of
law exist, and that there is not a code in
international law accepted by all nations
The rules of international law he con-
tinued, are vague and indefinite. The
! next step in the movement for peace, he
said, would be the establishment OF a
court to pass on all international dis
putes
The people OF this country. he thought,
were more in sympathy with the move
ment than any other nation. With the
court Of arbitral justice established, a
ystem OF international rules and prece-
dents will be gradually developed through
the decisions Of the court he con
eluded
As one OF the most important features
o. the evening came the address by Mr..
Justice William RenWick Riddell. King
Bench Division, High Court OF Justice
for Ontario. Canada With a mastery
hand he sketched the International reia-
tons between the United states and Can
ada, referring in delicate sarcasm to the
outcome OF the treaties from which this
country received favor, and in like man
ner expressing the satisfaction Of
Canada, where the reverse was true.
AS one Of the most important treaties
In force between the United States and
Canada, Justice Riddell devoted con-
siderable space TO that commonly called
the ''Bush-Bagot" convention. This
treaty contained an agreement limiting
the naval force to be kept on the Great
Lakes TO vessels not exceeding 100 tons
burden, and each TO have but one can
non of eighteen pounds. II was agreed
10 dismantle forthwith ali other armed
vessels no the Lakes. and that no other
vessels Of war should be there built or
armed.
In 1904 permission was given" said
Justice Riddel Ito the L. S. s. Essex,
carrying fourteen guns, to pass through
the ST. Lawrence River and the Canadian
canals 10 the Great Lakes. This was
done on the assumption that the United
States did not intend 10 depart from the
convention. although I must confess my
inability 10 understand how this was log
ically consistent.
The Fern was allowed 10 pass In the
same way in 1865 through the canals. and
she is still in the lakes. Her use Is agreed
to be for purposes Of training.
Another Ship in Lakes.
In 1907 the State of Michigan asked for
the loan from the United States Of a ship.
and the Don Juan De Austria. her guns
and armament removed, was allowed 10
pass through Canadian waters There
was no pledge that either guns or arlna-
ment would not be replaced
1T may be well for the United States
to consider whether il is not unWise that
even the letter Of the agreement should
be set aside. Canada would be consid-
cred ungracious were she 10 refuse 70
consent to other ships 10 pass through
her waters 10 the Lakes. IL would look
as though she feared a hostile movement
on the part OF her neighbor, that she
doubted her good faith and real desire
for permanent peace OF her elder brother
to the south.
Agreement should stand.
But both parties thought that the
agreement was one that should be made,
and. once made. continued: and one
rather fails to see how the convenience
OF one party should lead 20 its modidca-
ton. National sensibilities should be
considered. however absurd they may
be"
Throughout the whole evening there
was but one reference 10 war as an in
evitable consideration OF civilization. and
that was uttered half IN lest by Benja-
min Ide Wheeler. president OF the Uni
yersity Of California.
"In the old Greek and Roman days"
said Mr. Wheeler. war was a diver
sion. a picnic. The old warriors sailed
forth for fun; IT was the first of the
personally conducted tours.
However" added Mr. Wheeler. war
is ending itself. it is throttling Itself.
by the very mechanism which renders il
effective.
Il must say that ] favor national de-
Tense. / favor preparation for war as
a preventive for war. We have talked
much about peace, but where is our
mechanism to enforce It? II must come
with the gradual great improvement of
the mind of mankind"
John W. Foster Speaks.
most comprehensive and careful
resume OF the relations OF the Depart
ment of State with foreign nations was
ably presented by John W. Foster. for
mer Secretary OF State. Distinct refer
ence was made to the various PROPOSE
tons that might have been turned over
for settlemen 20 an international judicial
court. and upon the propositions which
the future might bring forth which should
be turned over 10 such a court Mr.. Fos-
ter received the careful attention Of his