The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-05-22
ANTI-WAR INSURANCE
SCHEME APPROVED
Simeon L. Baldwin, Recently Governor OF
Connecticut, Believes That Great Com
binations Of Capital Might Undertake
To Insure Nations Against War.

To Insure Nations Against War.
Mohonk Lake, N. Y, May 2l.-Simeo
IL. Baldwin, former governor OF Connec
ticut and student of international law
in an address before the Lake Mohonl
conference on international arbitration
to-day on avoiding the Occasions TO
War;" approved of the idea that som
of the great combinations OF capita
might undertake to insure nation
against war.
"a strong motive for avoiding occa
sions for war would be furnished" h
said iii the scheme suggested IS II pos
sibility in the little book recently writ
ten by Professor Royce were ever put il
practice. Prudent individuals, he says
are accustomed to insure themselve:
against loss by the happening of certain
future events. Why should no. nations
do the same?
"There are combinations of capital in
this age, and even individuals, holding
funds far greater than the total amount
of the property Of some sovereign states
Why not let some n combination set
up the business Of insuring nations
against pecuniary loss by any future dis
aster?
"ln one respect, this would promote
war. 1t would tend to make a nation
that was well insured careless in reckon
ing its risks. On The other hand, it
would bring in a strong Influence to-
wards peace-namely, the capitalist or
combination of capitalists granting the
insurance"
Mr.. Baldwin dealt more largely how
ever, with misunderstanding which were
occasions for war He urged broad
mindedness; instruction in schools and
homes which would tend to inculcate re-
spect for the rights of others; the careful
weight of words, and use of "courtly
phraseology in diplomatic negotiations"
and he pointed to the work of such com
missions as that created by the Carnegie
endowment for investigating the causes
and conduct of the Balkan was as a fac
tor in arousing animosities.
He said in part:
Occasions of war are avoided by Civ
ing such instruction in our schools and
for the rights of others. reverence for
authority, and forms of courtesy in
speech and demeanor.
"These doctrines are in large part what
has kept China In existence solong. While
desiring to keep apart from foreign in.
tercourse, she has emphasized the impor-
tance of maintaining the amenities of
in ordinary life within her
own borders. A people civil among them
selves are little likely to be uncivil to
such foreigners as they may meet abroad
or receive at home They made enter
tain secret distrust. but they will not |
transgress the rules of politeness.
"A bitter word, from someone high in
place, or perhaps writer of literary
eminence, which reflects on the course of
a government or the character of its
public men. often sinks deep, and poisons
he sources of international good feeling.
Recent factors in world politics, OF
which mention must be made in this con.
iection. are the philanthropic associations
striving to promote the interests of
oeace, of which this conference has for
% years been one, and two have the sup
,ort of large endowments. The World
Peace Foundation, with its fund of ST.
International Peace. backed by funds OF
;l2.0o0,000, are .ew features of modern
utilization.
"An instance has already occurred in
which the greatest Of them has given
Ieep ofiense TO an eastern nation. The
'arnegie endowment undertook 10 inves-
igate the causes and conduct of the
balkan wars. II created an information
] commission of inquiry for this pur-
ose. 1t procured the participation in IL
{ citizens Of Austria, France. Germany
treat Britain, Russia aud the United
tates. The report mas the tone Of an ,
pronouncement II finds
hat many Of the rules of international
NV were violated by each of the bellig-
rents. II says that coercion. intolerance
nd antisocial management have given
o Greece and Serbia "a bad name before a
be world IL
"A Serbian newspaper denounced the I,
iquirics Of the commission as an in :
-ingemcnt Of Serbian sovereignty, saw !,
" that. having had no consent from
be government 10 make them. IL was an :.
act Of international arbitra.
on.
THE commission itself suggests that :.
ich an investigation would be- more sat =
factory IL prosecuted by a body Of men !,
ppointed by public authority, and oh.
'rves that IL it, work led 70 any such
-ocecdings il would find there = recon- :
.nse for the uugrateful task undertaken !,
the risk n reawakening animosity .
"a drawing down upon itself reproaches
III attacks That such snimosity was \
fact rcawskened by is report is only y
~ plain. y
Another book. prepared or circulated n
lder The auspices Of the Carnegie en- =
~ ment. T. Professor Dunning's British OF
mpire and the United States'. This Y
ntains quite a number Of rather rough =
authorizations Of uttersnces BY our q
iblic mon iu directing the course Of cur %
reign Affairs Positions taken BY our ~
crftafy Of state in regard 20 the Nenez NJ
Ian question for INSTANCE. are referred ~
as resting IN 'nudaeigus and Arrogant -
rmas' and expressed IN : manner some n
at cosrse and repuisise' Na
"stIrh ep.thrts have e double force q,
lsn appearing under tho stamp 81 ap- so
oval ~ d vast nuf World side agency wi
/ tif rror11tio t ~ peaee tetueen ua D,
,as. hstiur he sat in the country rn
.osa 0Friai attitude towards suothor is te
ns sharply critirizef Ith
.~tiH more 81 course is language 81
= tind uut II Tlses IN aiplomstic de- tl
striss. 90