The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-03-26

'NoonsnI I'M, % the McClurO NeWBp4pcr
syndicate)
London. March lo-An important pro-
nouncement of opinion on the question
OF peace terms has been obtained from
Sir Edward Fry. the man best qualified
oy actual experience among all Euro
pean diplomstists to speak on the sub
Ject
Sir Edward Fry was arbitrator between
the United States and Mexico in the
Pious Funds case in 1882. and in 1909 he
acted As arbitrator in the dangerous
Casaolanca dispute between France and
germany. In 1904 he was legal assessor
10 the international commission which
settled the dispute between England and
Russia over the sinking Of English trawl-
ers by the Russian fleet. and from 1900
10 1s12 he was British member Of
the permanent court of arbitration at
The Hague. and in 1907 ambassador and
nrst British plenipotentiary to The Hague
peace conference.
Thinks Future Bright.
Sir Edward Fry warmly approved the
American peace league policy when ask
ed to comment on the signincance or
President Wilson's offer to abandon the
and pledge America to use force In de-
Tense Of a league OF peace.
The acceptance Of the idea Of league
OF nations" he said, mot only by Eng
land. but by the great republic across
the Atlantic, Is a very hopeful fact in the
present situation, and one which possibly
may be very fruitful in the future. The
i irritation felt In some quarters at the in
Prevention OF America was perhaps nat
ural. and I hope has given place to a
recognition Of the Presidents good inten-
tons. It may BE- worth while to notice
that the Hague conventions Of 1893 and
1907 recognized the probability of such r.
ritation being felt, but expressly declared
that mediation. whether before or after
the beginning Of hostiIities, is in no sense
TO be considered an unfriendly act"
Talks of Food Crisis.
The food crisis now existing and rapid
~ growing worse all over the world was
pointed out to Sir Edward. and he was
asked whether during the presumably
lengthy period between the stoppage of
lighting and the signing of peace treaty
II would be possible to restore normal
commerce. He replied:
1T is impossible to answer this question
until the terms Of the armistice are set
tied. and the question whether commerce
would be resumed or not. before the &C
tual signature Of a treaty of peace would
depend upon the estimated probability of
the aTmistice being followed by the
treaty. In all probability the amount of
commerce transacted before the peace
was actually signed would be very small"
How far is 1t desirable" Sir Edward
was asked. that the peace conference
should consider the questions Of economic
restrictions and opportunities?"
Il am entirely opposed to any pro-
vision to continue the war of tariffs after
peace has been reached in the war of
arms. The experience Of mankind in
tarin wars is only less disastrous to both
sides than in conflict of ornaments"
Should an attempt be made to en-
body in the treaty a scheme for per-
petual peace, or would It be better
that the conference should confine it.
self to the settlement of the immedi-
ate issues?"
Would Limit Armament.
II am decidedly OF opinion that the
treaty Of peace should provide for
some permanent federation of the ma
tions.' and for the limitation, If not
the extinction. OF ornaments. The
long peace which has prevailed be-
tween Canada and the United States
along a very extensive frontier IN
protected by a single fort is a very
instructive example Of what I should
hope to see achieved by a league of
line of frontier from that which has
been experienced by the long line of
frontier between Germany and France,
guarded by numerous forts. Is very
noteworthy"
Would II be desirable to include
in the treaty of peace any provision
of penalties for gross breaches of in
ternational law?
The difficulties OF assessing, exact
ing and distributing any penalties for
breach OF international law is so
great that l doubt the wisdom of In
serting any provision in the treaty
of peace for the violation of such law
what Is the most satisfactory
method of ascertaining the wish of
the population of territories which
1t is proposed to transfer from one
country to another?
"A careful arranged plebiscite, to be
conducted under the superintendent
of representatives of the neutral DOW
ers. would. 1 think, be the only prac-
ticable way. In any such arrange
ments provisions should be made to
facilitate the removal of those inhabi-
tants who object to live under either
old or new conditions Of the country"
Sir Edward Clark does not believe
the present an opportune time to dis
cuss in detail the territorial aims of
the belligerents.