Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-13


he procedure is analogous to that Of
the international court which he pro-
poses.
Action Justified
I am aware that membership in
this league would involve on the part
Of the United States an obligation to
take part in European and Asiatic
wars" he said land that in this re-
spect it would be a departure from
the traditional policy of the United
States in avoiding entangling allan
ces with European or Asiatic coun-
tries. But / conceive that the inter-
est of the United States in close rela-
tons it has of business and social
character with the other countries of
the world, much closer now than ever
before. would justify it, if such a
league could be formed. running the
risk that there might be Of such a
war in making more probable the Sc
curing of the inestimable boon of
peace of the world that now seems so
far away" ~.
Mr. Taft also pointed out in sup
port of his plan the amicable settle
ment Of issues between the people
of the United States and Canada,
that because of their nature might
have led to war"
Habit Of Arbitration
1T is not too much to say" he add
ed that the habit of arbitration is
so fixed that a treaty to secure such
a settlement in future issues would not
make ii more certain than it is. It
is Interesting to note that we now
| have two permanent arbitral English
American Commissions settling cues
tions. Having thus reached what is
practically the institution of a league
/ and arbitral court with England and
| Canada for the preservation of peace
between us. May We not hope to en-
! large its scope and membership and
give its benefits to the world
| VIII not the exhaustion in which all
the belliserents. whether victors or
vanquiShed, ind themselves after this
awful sacrifice of life and wealth,
make them wish to make the recur-
renee Of such a war less probable i?
/ viii they not be in a mood to enter
tain any reasonable plan for the set
]
peaceable means? Now can we not
devise such plan? l think we can.
ITO constitute an effective league
of peace We do not need all the ma
tions. Such an agreement between
eight or nine Of the great powers Of
Europe, Asia and America. would fur
nish a useful restraint upon possible
war. The successful Establishment Of
a peace league between the great
powers would draw into it very quick
ly the less powerful nations
Mr. Taft said that the principle Of
the general arbitration treaties with
England and France should be en-
braced in any effective league Of peace.
We must recognize, however, that
the questions within the Jurisdiction of
! such court would certainly not in
| clude all the questions that might lead
| to war. and, therefore, we should pro-
! vide some other instrumentality for
1 helping the solution Of those questions
| which are nom justiciable This might
! we'll be a Commission of Cancellation,
/ a commission to investigate the facts,
/ TO consider the arguments on both
! sides, TO mediate between the parties,
+ to see if some compromise cannot be
/ effected, and finally TO formulate and
/ recommend a settlement. We have an
/ example of such a commission Of con-
! citation in the controversy between
the United States and Great Britain
over the seal fisheries
! periodical conferences should be held
| between the members Of the league
! for the declaration of principles of in
! ternational law. Undoubtedly the func-
| ton Of ar arbitral court, established as
! proposed in the first of the above sug-
/ sestiors, would lead to a great deal of
valuable judgemade international law.
But that would not cover the whole
| field. Something in the nature Of leg
islation of the subject would be a val
liable supplement to existing interna-
tional law
1T is to be observed that the fourth
suggestion does not involve the mem
bers Of the league in an obligation to
enforce the judgment of the court or
OF the recommendations Of the COM
mission of cancellation. It only fur
nishes the fundamentally of force to
prevent attack without submission. It
is believed it is more practical than
to attempt to enforce judgments aft
er the hearing. It is wiser not to at
tempt too much. The required submits
sion and the delay incident thereto, will
in most cases, lead TO acquiescences in
the judgment Of the court or in the
recommendation of the commission of
Cancellation. The threat of force
against plainly unjust war, for that is
what is involved in the provision. will
have { most salutary deterrent ef-
feet