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Show Irmqqnfi" ~¢ WV 28 29 into war without repertin; to the Hague 'J‘ribunal gives its ground for serious concern as to the future of arbitration. No one but a dreamer ever expected all war to be abolished. The world was not expected to be petrified into states in their present form \\ iths out the possibility of a change of territory. It is manifest that first general conference of practically all the powers of the world. All sovert' ns were on an equal footing. each having one vote in the proceedings, without regard to magnitude. The Conference adopted thirteen conventions, four declara- there was no place for arbitration between Russia and japan. Conference, is for the pacific settlement of international eontlicts. Article III, providing for intervention by tender of good offices. recited that the powers consider it useful. Upon the suggestion of Mr. Choate it was amended to read "useful and desirable." In ordinary papers this would be an addition of small moment, but in an international convention it has great significance and immensely strengthens the document. :\ new article. No, ,. provides that in case of controversy The advancement of Russia, and its acquisition of new territory in a ct-untry foreign to Japan, presented no question of title as between these two nations. The belief of Japan that such en- cruach‘nent jeopardized its future prosperity and the very life of the nation. presented no question which could be solved by any principles of international law. It was a case where a policy of expansion, deemed to be essential for national prosperity, was regarded by another power, though not the owner of the territory in truestiun. as vitally inimical to its welfare. Such a question cii 1 only be settled by a voluntary abandonment of its position by one of the powers, or by war. No principle of international law applicable to the settlement of such a contlict has yet been accepted. The same observations apply. general ' t. the South African war of 1899-1901. Other nations were st inlate by this war to emphasize that they stood for peace. None of them, not even allies of the warringT powers, became invo ved in the strife. They were prompt to declare their neutrality and to limit the zone of hostilities. More than ever they manifested tleir purpose to enlarge the field of arbitration. The Hague Conference of 1907. upon the initiative of Presi- dent Roosevelt. was called by the Czar of Russia. in addition to the nations formerly represented. the Central and South American gt vernments. omitted from the former invitation, and the new Kingdom of Norway. were requested to send reprcs‘mtatives. 1\ll but Crista lx'ica and Honduras. which refrained for domestic rea« sons. participated. The only other iii'itpendent powers not par- tic rating \\ re Liberia and Abyssinia. . they are of no internzu tinnal inirmrtance. Korea sent a deiejaat in which wa» not recog > nized. it hayingr previously authorized la, . in re .es'cnt it, and having: no autonomy. There were 2.14 g ‘ -ntati\es, includingr delegates. secretaries and attaches. its most notable feature was that it was participated in by fortyst‘nur sovereigns and was the tions and three wishes. The first convention, like that of the l-‘i st either nation may. without previous agreement, apply to the Bureau of the Court at The Hague and aslc for arbitration. It is thought that this may operate as a powerful paciticatur. Such an appeal to The Hague. under a provision sanctioned by all the powers, will put a tremendous pressure upon the other party. lates to the recovery of contract The second convention debts. It will doubtless prove a great conservator of peace. it is one of the best achievements of the Conference. The exploita- tion of Central and South America by foreign governments and their citizens. and the inability as well as the indispnsition of the Latin republics to meet pecuniary obligations arisino‘ therefrom, have at recurrent periods occasioned international irritation. The spectacle of the tleets of several of the great p>wers at the ports of Venezuela as bailill's to collect debts, which led to the \'ene« zuelan case before the Hague Court. where a premium was put upon diligence in forcible sequestration, emphasized the necessity for some international aifret'ment which would obligate all the powers to pursue more peaceful methods. The most notable features of the Conference were ill‘.t it was a conference of all the nations, the tirst ever known in history in l to strength, they met. deliberated and which. without 1‘_ covering a period (it ninre than voted as equals, their nn'eti four months. and aliinii'qh the questions discussed were net‘ess sztrily ai‘nte. ‘z ,. ny prevailing; the adoption of pros 1 the prevention of debt culleclinp‘ by visit-us for a priv'e " permanent aunt of international jus- indatirin i ‘ arms: the |