The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-18
Gov Baldwin Upon Justice Between Nations Without War

This must depend largely on the Importance
of the question in dispute. or of its prompt
decision. II the dispute is over matter OF
vital interest. before any reference to court
or to arbitration full opportunity should be
given for interposing the good offices OF some
third Power. or In affairs of grave moment Of
several Powers acting jointly.
The momentous events OF July, 1914, are
strong illustration OF the expedency of such
an offer of interposition, whenever there Is any
reasonable chance Of It's being kindly received.
The haste of Austria-Hungary in pressing her
demands upon Seryia is most easily accounted
for by her unwillngness to listen to objections
from other Powers. Nevertheless, II several
OF them had, at once, united In a formal offer
of their good offices. 1t would have been far
more difficult for her to come out before the
eyes OF the world and decline it than it was
simply to withdraw the matter from a diplo-
matte consultation proposed by one of the great
Powers. and that Power occupying a position
not absolutely friendly.
We must take facts as they are Europe Is
trayersed by two ranges OF associated nations.
Each is combination OF three OF the great
Powers. On the east Is that of Germany.
Austria-Hungary and Italy. On the west is that
OF Russia. Great Britain and France. Between
these ranges come cluster Of lesser Powers.
whose policy is neutrality, and for part OF
whom neutrality has a certain European
guarantee. The maintenance OF peace with
great aim They are no match for them. In
the European concert also, they can, in the
nature OF things. have no considerable share. A
tender Of good Offices to Austria Hungary and
Servia, at the outbreak of their differences, by
Belgium. or Holland. or Switzerland. would have
been almost ridiculous. Had such a tender
been Jointly made by all the neutralized States
OF Europe, from Norway to Luxembourg, 1t would
nave been more imposing though probably
futile. But had such tender been made by
them In company with the two non-European
hn fTnHC Nofn ,1,tkI
Asiatfc interests, and Japan-it is not impos.
~sible that Austria-Hungary would have felt un.
able to decline it Servia, of course. would
have joyfuly accepted such a tender from
almost any quarter.
The whole incident shows that great
nation does not readily change position which
weak one.
Ii Hung Chang wrote in his diary in 1896:
There are always wolves where there are
sheep. 1t liz the same In the life of man ann rhe
lives OF nations" But wolves are not to be
found IN thickly settled country. They fly be-
lore civilization. They are the common enemies
Oh the human race. Men protect sheep and kill
wolves So with the advance and spread of
civilization and Of international law may we
expect the WOLF among nations to recede and
disappear We may expect more. We may
expect the great Powers OF the world to be
more slow to use their strength, to carry in
their favor a doubtful point OF fact or right
we may expect that, should the present Euro.
pe7n war prove fndecisiye, and In another
generation some fresh occasion arise for the
outbreak. however passionate, Of feelings OF
racial antagonism, there will be then some op.
portuntty for Judicial interposdon and for its
proving efectual. because 1t voices the world.
wide sentiment OF that future time.
II the diplomatic pourparIers fail Of success,
and II tender OF good offices is declined or
proves ruthless, third hope lies IN mediation.
This also would often be preferable to an i'm.
mediate effort to force judicial settlement
even We're there a wellorgani1ed court estab.
lished for that purpose
Mediation is in It's nature facultat1ye and not