The Washington herald., 1911-03-19

London, March 1S.-The ques-
ton Of Anglo-Amcrican arbitration
has put all other topics OF discus
sion in the background for a week.
Such d suggestion, put forward in
such a manner and by such man
as Sir Edward Grey. would at any
time appeal at once to the magma
tion Of any generous-minded peo-
pie, and his appeal from this point
of view met with an immediate re-
Spouse the heartiness of which
seems to be increasing daily.
NOT TO Use FORCE.
Sir Edwards original speech contained
Cne point which more thoughtful people
Immediately declared would spell failure
for an otherwise grand iGea. This was
the suggestion that an arbitration agree
mcnt might he followed by a further
agreement between the two nations to
Join against a third that refused to ac-
cept arbitration. 1t iS evident that Sir
Edward soon realized that this was a
mistake. and in last nights speech he
took care to explain it away
Though the suggestion meets with such
general approval in this country, there
IS a certain minority which strongly
opposes it, and their criticisms are of
varying shades. 1t is not necessary to
devote more than word to this type of
vi is ,z- ha Sat
day Review, which refers to Sir Edwards
speech as the usual cIaptrap about
England and America. and quite dithy-
rambic driv"I about peace"
The more moderate critics express the
fear that the idea is too millenniaI for
the present day. They hold with NeIi-
dof, who, al The Hague in 1907. de-
Clared that there was a whole series
Of cases, in which dignity and honor
were concerned. in which nations, as
well rs individuals. never recognize other
authority than their own Judgment
These critics. however. applaud the idea,
while doubling its present practicability.
Fear Public Opinion.
Regarding this Very impracticabiIity,
otherwise friendly critics express doubts
amounting to disbelief in the likelihood
Of any State Con~e-tiug to such an agree
mem. They point out that among the
chief stumbling blocks is the hostility of
German-Anericans and Irish-Americans,
who they declare to be the homogeneous
bodies of public opinion in America. They
also see that difficulty in the AnglO-Japa-
nese alliance. But optimists declare that
the home rule difficulties will be soon
out Of the way. dissipatinS at once the
opposition Of the Irish-Americans They
say that there is no real difficulty, as
the Anglo-Japanese treaty expires in 1915,
and if renewed, a clause can be inserted
regarding the relations Of England and
America. 1t is Il simple matter as Eng
Ish opinion is not so favorable to the
Japanese alliance as it was. At any rate,
1t is pointed out. it would not be allowed
10 stand between any important agree
ment that was wanted by Great Britain
and the United States.
1t is quite natural. though perhaps il
logical that in all the discussion of this
topic the one country that is not con-
Cerned in arbitration between England
and America is most often mentioned,
and that country is Germany 1t is ac-
Cepted here now as COmmOrRllCe
that war between England and the United
States is unthinkable, and the arbitra-
tion which is foreshadOwed is unneces-
sary to avoid any conflict but it Is
greatly desirable as clinching peace be-
tween the two greatest nations in the
world and as affordng an example to the
rest.
Favor Treaty with Germany.
An arbitration agreement between Ger /
many and England would do more to in /
eure the worlds Dpacp than anvthiDo
else imaginable. But it is believed here |