Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-17
government has come to see that war

government has come to see that war
between nations is an intolerable VIC
Iation of the very essence Of what is
termed civilization. The most I'M
nressiye thing in the world perhaps
is the spectacle of the American Re-
public trying to grow rich and pow
erful. and at the same time to con-
tinue free and to establish justice
and insure happiness among It's c'U-
Gems. There is no lack of difficult and
perplexing questions of wealth. OF
race. of representative government, OF
inst taxation for the wise decision OF
our statesmen, but in a very real
sense the largest question submitted,
in nv judgment, to an American Con-
gress is the question of the ratlnca-
ton Of the arbitration treaties re-
Gently negotiated by the united
States with Great Britain and France.
If these treaties are approved by the
United States step will have Deen
taken that will come very near pre-
venting forever devastating war. The
removal of war from the pathway OF
civilization would be the superlatiVe
achievement of the ages. 1t is dill
cult to oyerstate the Importance TO
humanity of the example Of three
such nations as the United States
Great Britain and France agreeing to
| submit their controversies to arbitrai
decision as provided for in these
reaties. international understanding
! would tend to supplant international
listrust and suspicion. The whole
peace propaganda, so long forwarded
bv patient and idealistic souls, Woulo
be translated from the realm oil
hope to the realm of reality and every
day statecraft. The smaller nations
would be forced by economic consid
erations at first and later by the clear
light of reason to follow the exam
pie of the great pioneers. If there
are technical and legal difficulties il
! the way Of this great consumatlon
there should be wisdom enough to &c
them out of the way. If the respon
sibilities and duties Of the American
Senate are invaded by the presen
proposal, the genius of compromls
which has played so great part il
upon a reasonable reimbursement o
our history should be brought to bea
this great proposition. Here Is
great vital interest Of world import
ance summing up under solemn treat
obligations and the hopes of ever
good man that ever lived and sub
hitting to an institutional test tn
great modern principle of arbitration
1t is inconceivable that these treatie
should fail for any lesser reason thai
opposition to the principle involve
Fla rnem. Inelr appeal is to enlgnnt
ened self interest as we'll asi to tn
! larger patriotism. The ancient mis-
sion of this re public was to prov
1.-THE practicability of self government
among men. Under the guidance o
! its President it now assumes leader
! ship in the movement to inaugural
the age of international understand
\ ing and justice. The nation tina
! first organized democracy and cav
it a will and a soul has a right tt
lead in the organizing the nations tt
the point where they shall compre
bend and institutionlaize the unuit,
of men. The Senate of the United
States is not opposed to these trea
ties on principle. The thoughtful
public opoinion of America demand!
that their representatives. in theil
greatest legislative body find a wa!
to ratify these treaties in some effc
tive, just form and thus commit the
! Republic forever to a policy of jus
lice, reason and peace.