The independent-reporter., 1910-05-05

BY James L. Tryon
Assistant Secretary of the American
Peace Society, Boston

Everywhere along the line we are
making progress in world peace.
Nothing is more indicative of pro-
gress than the steady increase in the
number of peace societies. Last
February the American Society for
the Promotion of the Judicial Settle
ment of International Controversies
was formed in Baltimore. A little
later a World Federation League was
formed in New York City. These So
cieties will promote interest In erbi-
tration and world organization. The
two ideas go together. When we hsve
with complete system of arbitration
federated world, even though it be a.
comparatively loose union of states.
we shall be able to meet the question
of the limitation of ornaments more
effectively than at present. With this
difficult problem we are, however,
making more headway than is gener-
ally realized. More than 750 clergy
men in Boston and its neighborhood
alone recently sent to Congress a pc :
tition protesting against further in
crease of the navy. This Is one of the
most remarkable signs of the times
Letters were also sent to Congress-
men and Senators from college presi-.
dents and business men deploring the
great cost of armaments and remon-.
strating against further extension of.
the navy. The objections made by
the leaders of public opinion are to-
day repeated in the conversation OF
the people and it Is only matter OF
time before the United States will
take the lead in urging upon the
world the Importance of a simultane-
Gus Limitation and reduction of arma-
ments.
The American Peace Society, tn e
greatest power In this country for tn e
extension of the principles of peac g
and arbitration, has made large gains
in membership and is constantly
forming branch societies, the latest
being those organized in Chicago and
Maryland, the latter with headquar-
ters in Baltimore. Branch societies
are also being formed in Georgia, Wis
consin and Oregon. The latter So
ciety will complete the tier of Pacific
Coast States organically related to the
American Peace Society. The pro-
motion of the Peace cause has been
greatly stimulated by the formation
within about year of the American
School Peace League and the Inter
national School of Peace. These So
cieties show that an attempt is to be
made for the thorough teaching of
peace principles and policies in the
schools and among people at large.
The Business Department of the In
ternational School of Peace Is rapidly
being put into service. 1t will work
indirectly through Chambers of Com
merce in all countries.
The events of the calendar of peace
work for the months of April and May
are significant. First, on April 28,,
was the meeting of the American So
ciety of International Law in Wash
ington, an organization that within
three years has had remarkableI
growth among lawyers and publicists
and has printed authoritative articles(
on the peace movement in it's relation
to International Law and the Hague
Conferences. Then, comes the New
England Peace Congress which will
be held at Hartford on May 8. 8, 1O1
and II. This, in some respects, will
be as important as National Peace
Congress. Men of national reputa-
ton will speak on its program. New'
England, which for years has been
the centre of interest in peace work,
will be brought together in Congress
for the first time. The Burritt cele
bration, which will be held on May 10
at New Britain, bids fair to attract
many people who otherwise might
not attend the Congress. Every church
organization, philanthropic or educa-
tional association, every college and
every Board of Trade, which Is invit
ed to send delegate to this Congress-,
should do it's best to respond. Every
citizen who can attend it should also
do SO because the Congress offers
him an opportunity to range himself