New-York tribune., 1911-11-25
JOHN DIGELOW IS "a
Andrew Carnegie, 76 To-day,
Calls on Venerable Diplomat.
POSES AS A REPORTER
Peace Apostle Drops In Just Al
ter a Long Talk About War
and Arbitration.

and Arbitration.
This is the birthday Of John Bigelow,
VINO is ninety-four years old, and of An
Grew Carnegie. who is seventy-siX. Mr
Carnegie swung down TO Air. Biselow s
house In Gramcrcy Square yesterday after
noon I'm his limousine. and. feeling playful
over his twenty-yoar handicap. he told the
French maid who answered his ring that
he was a reporter come 20 see her master
What papair, monsieur
The question nipped the ironmaster's
plans in the bud; SO. after q moments
hesitation. he explained apologetically that
he was Mr.. Carnegie. and the maid bowed
the yisitot in.
Nj Carneeie found Mr Bigelow seated
before his open CRATE fire in his library on
the third floor. He advanced trippingly
down the long room like youth In his
teens and beamed a blessing over the aged
diplomat.
Hello. my young friend" said his host
MY legs are not so good as yours. Please
forgive my not rising"
Mr. Bigelow had been discussing the
alarms Of war when the walking delegate
Of peace came in.
DO you think international arbitration
as a remedy IS feasible-practcab he
had been asked.
ASK me something easy. There never
was a time when it wasn't possible for
nations TO arbitrate. Why haven't they
done IL? They 90 to war now just as they
did in the past. I don't see why nations
shouldn't srbitrate as much as they have
done. I'm not prophet nor the son Of a
prophet"
Arbitration Pact Helpful.
What II the arbitration treaties pro
posed between the United States and Eng
land and France were put through-would
not that cause a greater tendency. in your
opinion. toward international arbitration
among All civilized nations?'
1T might provoke more arbitrations, but
not less war"
The Western Hemisphere held no calmer
SPOT. no nellover block Of human stmos-
phere than the long. book-lined room in
which John Bigelow sat and over every
inch Of which his serene spirit presided
zine itself licked reverentially on the
raantel above tho glowing Goals. Thoughts
of passion and blood letting. Of strife and
noise seemed as remote as the storm out
ride. But perhaps for this very reason
they kept recurring 10 the mind Of the man
who ffty years ego represented hts battling
country at the court OF France.
The subject OF china came up.
China" he began. lis undergoing
changes Just like other nations. The Chi
nese are adopting many Of the truths and
lessons from the Western World. They are
building railroads and telegraphs, which
Will bring their people together, make them
more HOMOGENEOUS. better acquainted with
one another. Those lessons will teach
them. as they have gradually taught the
Western World. mans individual impor-
tsnce. and consequently . greater respect
for his Individual rights as We understand
them.
IT took the people Of tho United states
more than q century 70 demonstrate the
wisdom and economic policy Of our repub-
Iican form Of government. II was not un-
tiI the close Of our Civil War that any ma
ton in Europe believed that popular SOY
ereignty would ever come to stay. Since
then the Individual importance of the IN
babitants OF every nation in Europe has
become recognized as never before
But weshave "a great deal to learn from
the East l am very far from believing
that the wise men. who IN old times used
10 come from the East, arc now. as popu-
larry supposed. 20 be found only In the
West. When the star Of empire comes
round again, IS 20 is coming let us hope
IL will bring with it the Oriental power OF
mental concentration and devotion ana
give us higher ideals than that Of develop
ing and accumulating wealth and physical
power
Does Two Days Work.
MI B,gelow passed buster day thar
usual, not only in receiving callers, but IN
dictafing q double number Of words Of his
"Retrospections Of an Active Life. so that
he might spend all OF to-day with his chill
dren and grandchildren in celebration OF
his birthday
AIr. Carnegie expressed a sadness yester-
dsy over he Itanan-Turkish war. which
he called one of the greatest tragedies Of
recent times.
italy. the beloved Of al nations, has
plaved the part Of a villain and a bar
harIan in presenting such a brutal ulti-
iraf,un 10 Turkey" said he. we sll love
fair ITALY, but tho more VIC love her the
deeper is our regret over her unworthy
acts.'
Nr. Bigelow was not inclined TO ds~uss
TOY 1t 1fIl 20 &c AAiiif y -Af''A tr'Ri' = v g.
waste MS time passing tho time Of 10 g."
as he regards Indulgence I'm that tyre Of
conversation But Nj. Carnegie. tkhgh
ne did not deScsnt on the secrets OF
longevity or boast Of his unimpsred h's'th
ard faculties did mention a few Of the
thoughts which come 70 man tvsnty
wears younger than MI. Rigelcw anI in
possession Of the purse Of FortunstUS
Life IS very beautiful 10 me he said
r don't like these birthday anniversaries
altogether. II 1t were possible 20 get an
option on the departure from this heaven
On earth I would bend ali my energies 70
6eing 50 and postponing the inevitable DAY.
This nfe IL heaven enough for me"
Ir Carnegie. like Mr.. Pigelow. VIII spend
today az home indoors, receiving quietly
the many friends and relatives who make