Evening star., 1915-11-17
U. S. Chamber of Commerce
Sends Referendum to Trade
Bodies of Country.
PURPOSE IS EXPLAINED
BY ELLIOT H. GOODWIN
Rules for Insuring Protection to Life
and Property at Sea Is Among
Recommendations.

The Chamber of Commerce of the
United States has sent out a referen-
dunn of the principal trade bodies of
the country which has for its object
the solving of some of the economic
problems which will affect American
business after the war in Europe is
ended. After the referendum had been
ordered by the chamber a special COM
mittee, of which John Joy Edison of
Washington is a member. was request
ed to assist in the preparation of the
important document.
AS explained by Elliot H. Goodwin,
secretary of the national chamber. in
this referendum, as in all others. the
purpose is to ascertain the opinion of
the various trade bodies throughout the
country. and not to secure approval of
the recommendations of the special
committee voiced in the report This
committee, of which Edward a. Filene
of Boston is the head, advances as it's
first recommendation that action be
taken on the initiative of the United
States to secure conferences among
neutral countries for the purpose of
defining and enunciating rules which
will at all times give due protection to
life and property upon the high seas.
An International Court.
The committee recommends, secondly,
that for the decision of questions
which arise between nations. and which
can be determined upon the application
Of established rules or upon ascertain
ment of facts, the United States should
take the initiative in joining with other
nations in establishing an international
court. The third proposition is that for
consideration of questions which arise
between nations and which do not de-
pend upon established rules or upon
facts which can be determined by an
international court the United States
should take the initiative in joining
with other nations in establishing
council of conciliation.
The fourth recommendation is that the
United States should take the initiative
In joining with other nations in agreeing
to bring concerted economic pressure to
bear upon any nation or nations which re-
sort to military measures without first
submitting their differences to an inter-
national court or a council of conciliation,
and awaiting the decision of the court or
the recommendation of the council as
circumstances make the more appropri-
ate.
Military Force, if Necessary.
The next recommendation is that the
United States take the initiative in join
ing with other nations in agreeing to use
concerted military force in the event that
concerted economic pressure exercised by
the signatory nations is not sufficient to
compel nations which have proceeded to
war to desist from military operations and
submit the questions at issue to an in
ternational court or a council Of concili-
alton, circumstances make the more
appropriate.
Finally. it is recommended that the
United States should take the initiative
In establishing the principle of frequent
international references at expressly
stated intervals for the progressive amend
nnent Of international law
In order that the questions which are
involved might be carefully analyzed
John H Fahey Of Boston. president of the