New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-21
OR SHAME,
PEACE ADVOCATES VIEW
Submission of Canal Question to
the Hague Tribunal Urged
by Everett P. Wheeler.
JUDGES WOULD BE FAIR
Doubt of Nation Amazes Him,
He Says-Gov. Baldwin Urges
Peace Before American
Society's Conference.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Dec. pa vigorous plea
for the submission of the Panama Canal
controversy TO arbitration was made to-
night by Everett p. Wheeler, of New
York, before the conference OF the
American Society for the Judicial Settle
ment of International Disputes The
United States. he said. is bound by all
It's treaty obligations with Great Britain
to submit the question of tolls to the per-
manent court at The Hague
I'VE are confronted with the extraordi-
nary spectacle of a doubt as to whether
this country of ours will really live up to
it's record. its traditions and its actual
agreement In the treaty negotiated at
The Hague, and ratified almost unan-
mously, If not quite, by the Senate OF
the United States" he added
Mr. Wheeler quoted from the treaties
Of 1850, 1901 and 1908, negotiated between
the United States and Great Britain, and
drew the conclusion that lit would be
better thousand times that the United
States should submit its case 10 the
Hague tribunal than that it should be
false to it's plighted faith and the honor
able traditions Of l2j years"
The speaker secuted the idea that it
would be impossible to obtain unbiased
and impartial arbitrators, saying that
most Of the judges are citizens of ma
tons that have but trifling interest in
the controversy, or perhaps none at all
\ resolution offered by Mr.. Wheeler
urging the President to accept the offer
to arbiirate the canal controversy. and to
p,erare ami submit to the Senate
special agreement clearly defining the
matter i'm dispute, created a mild sensa-
ton. Immediately several delegates were
on their feet seeking recognition, but a
motion was unanimously carried to refer
the resolution to the executive committee
for report al tomorrow mornings session
of the society.
An address by Attorney General Wick-
ersham on The Supreme Court Of the
United States. a Prototype Of a Court Of
Nations" was received with interest.
Surely, il is humanity possible to estab-
fish and maintain a tribunal Of equal
merit for the purpose of deciding ques-
tions arising between sovereignties less
closely united than the states Of the
American Union" he said. adding.
Were not the Justices Of the Supreme
Court Of the United States so greatly oc-
cuped with the enormous pressure of
business i'm that tribunal probably no
more satisfactory standing tribunal for
the determination of matters Of difer-
ence arising between the nations coull
be found together with similar tribunals
in other countries.
Referring 10 the European diplomatic
conventions, that have often been
agreements between few powers to
regulate the conduct of other nations Of
less political importance" Governor
Simeon Z. Baldwin of Connecticut,
president of the society said:
I do not dare TO hope that there Will be
I'm the near future such a thing as an
effectual and perpetual guarantee OF the
territorial integrity OF any country ~
other countries. But Of this l DO feel
confident. that no guarantee. designed 10
he of such a nature, Will long survive the
Interests TO support which il was devised
unless Il be fortified by some sanction oil
an imposing character War has such
character.
Modern theology is a powerful help IN
promoting A better understanding between
nations, said Governor Baldwin.