Omaha daily bee., 1914-05-28
OYER CENTURY BEHIND TIME
John Bassett Moore Says Arbitration
Treaty Turns Clock Back.
HE QUOTES THE PACT OF 1894
United states and Great Britain Ar
bitrnted QuestiOns Then that
Are Excluded by Treaty
Now in Effect.

MOHoNK LAKE, n. y, May 27-John
Bassett Moore, presiding, at the opening
session OF the twentieth annual Lake Mo-
honk Conference on International Arbi-
tration here today. declared that exist
ing arbitration treaties were backward
steps. As far back as 1924 he found the
United states and Great Britain admit
ing to arbitration in a sweeping manner
certain points which would be subject TO
exception or restriction under the treaty
with Great Britain today.
'As we are somewhat prone 70 boast
Of leading the van in the cause OF peace.
II may be worth our while TO consider. d"
he said. whether we should not occupy
a position more advanced than that
which we hold II we we're to 20 back to
the practice we adopted a hundred and
twenty years ago"
Mr. Moore, whose resignation last
March from the high office OF counselor
OF the State Department stirred Wash
ington with rumors Of a clash with Score
tary Bryan. made no attack upon the
policies OF his former chief He spoke
favorably OF the pending Bryan Peace
Treaties"
No Notable Cases Initiated.
He deplored that the cases Of arbi-
tration initiated during the last two
years have not in any respect been
notable-related as they were for the
most part simple pecuniary questions"
and that even these had been over
shadowed by armed conflicts Of ex-
eeptional destructiveness" particularly
In the Balkans where the end Of hostin-
ties was not yet assured.
He pointed out that the Hague con-
vention. although It does not in terms
mako arbitration obligatory in any case.
II eXcepts nothing from the scope of
arbitration. but the numerous treaties
since concluded, starting with that be-
tween France and Great Britain as a
model in 1903, have excepted from arbi-
tration at Hague differences affecting
the vital interests, the independence. or
the honor OF the two countries, or con-
cerning the interests of third parties.
Bryan Peace Treaties.
He took The Bryan peace treaties,"
or agreements with the powers for
pacific adjustment OF all international
disputes by means Of an international
commission OF Investigation, which
should be allowed a years time for its
efforts. while the nations maintained
the status quo as to military and naval
preparations.
I'm ALL" he said. Fifteen treaties
based upon the peace plan have been
signed. II is understood that none Of
the agreements thus described has been
submitted TO the senate. so that their
fate canno' as yet be foretold, but II
may be remarked that. with the ex-
oeption Of very small number of all
inclusive treaties OF arbitration, they
represent an advance beyond previous
arrangements in that they propose 10
submit to investigation all questions In
OF every nature whatsoever
which diplomacy may fail to adjust.
They do not bind the parties to arbitra-
ton. but expressly reserve to them in
dependence OF action after the report of
the commission shall have been. sub
mitted.
1T has sometimes been argued that
the making OF treaties for the preserva-
ton OF peace Is an idle task. because, in
spite of all agreements to the contrary,
war viii occur. This argument is OBJ
yiously fallacious Remedies for ills are
not TO be discarded merely because they
10 not always prove 10 be efficacious."
New status OF Mediators.
He referred to the "A-B-C Mediation
now going on:
Prior to the Hague convention. the