New-York tribune., 1911-11-20
URGES PEACE TREATIES SURGERY REFORMS BOY
Cardinal Gibbons Speaks for
Worldwide Arbitration.
COMPARES WARS TO 0UELS
Both Out of Date, Catholic Pri-
mate Says, in Discussing
Pending Negotiations.

Cardinal Gibbons strongly urged the
pending peace treaties and worldwide ar
bitration in an authorized interview with
James Creelman made public last night.
The primate OF the Catholic Church in
America compared wars with duels and
said both were out Of date. lie said:
! sincerely hope that the new arbitration
treaties negotiated by our national govern
ment with Great Britain and France Will
be ratified by the Senate. They should
receive the support Of the whole country.
IL IS Of the utmost importance that civil
lied nations should bind themselves in dd-
vance To submit To arbitration all interna-
tiOnal questions which can be settled by
the application OF principles or law ana
equity, and | can see no reason why there
should not be appointed joint commissions
to Investigate international controversies
and determine whether particular questions
are of such a character so that each ma
don viii be in honor bound 10 submit
those ISSUES TO international arbitration
rather than 20 resort 10 war That idea
represents the best spirit of the age. IT
has behind it the Endorsement OF the
Christian world.
The Cardinal then referred 20 the days
when a personal afront was considered
justification for the slaughter Of multi
tudes. in discussing the evils Of war he
said:
The truth is that the most frightful suf-
ferings Of war are borne by the wives and
children OF those who fight IN the Held
The bitter agony OF their waiting ana
anxiety is far worse than the mere physi-
cal hardShiDs and Sufferings Of the armed
men. wound to the loved one in battle
strikes more cruelty those who have 10
walt at home. Physical suffering usually
disspates the fear OF death. Men can SUI
Ter and die brayely IN the excitement OF
war but harder much harder. 10 bear Is
the moral agony OF those who must walt.
without power to help their dear ones in
danger.
The financial side Of war. too, has its
strong aspect. IL Is proper that the world
at large should have something 70 say
about quarrels between particular nations.
| The commerce Of nations is now so in
yolved and related that war between two
nations is an interference with all nations.
The result Of war is not only a loss Of
life but also a partial paralysis Of trade.
Men VIII not fight If they have time 20
grow cool Nations VIII not fight if they
nave time TO think. The penalties and
deSradations OF war are too great, the
dgOnleS or the weak and helpless, the aged
and other non-combatants are too horrible,
the waste of wealth. the destruction OF
industry and commerce are too vast, 10 be
endured when there Is a way to peace.
I am n favor Of the general arbitration
. treaty principle and I indorse the idea OF
the new treaties with Great Britain and
.
which might otherwise result in war should
be first taken away from the influence OF
party politics and considered seriously In
the calm neutral air Of some impartial
tribunal whose findings must at least NOR
ally bind the contending nations 10 submit
10 International arbitration all questions
which may be found sOlvable according 10
principles Of law or equity.
Let us cherish the hope that the day is
not far off when the reign OF the Prince Of
Peace will be firmly established on the
earth said Cardinal Gibbons in ending
the interview, when the spirit OF the Cos
pei VIII so far sway the minds and hearts
OF rulers that standing armies viii yield
10 permanent courts Of arbitration, that
contests Will be carried on I'm the council
chambers instead Of on the battlefield and
decided by the pen instead OF the sword
IF we do not insist that before men 90
TO war they shall do everything in their
power to settle their dispute by arbitration,
then might becomes right"
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