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Show Mil ‘ mom. 32 33 special awreemeut to submit to the Permanent Court at lhe Ilague the tlth~ilflll> arising: out of the Lasablanca abanx lhc questions involved are of a character not usually submitted to an international court. since they involve more or less what is termed "national honor." The sulnnission of this case. both as to the law and th- fact. to the Hague Court. is a distinct triumph for the cause of international arbitration, It is evidence of the value of a court of so high a character for justice and impartiality as that at The Hague. for to no lesser tribunal would a nation be willingr to leave for investigation and determination a subject that involves the treatment of its officials in fttircig'n lands, which is so jealously guarded by evei_‘ government. On January 27, 1909. a special agreement was signed by the United States and tireat Britain submitting to arbitration at 'l‘hc llaguc the controvcrsy as to the North Atlantic Coast (or Northeastern) l‘ddlt'l'itm In 1818 the United States and Great liritain made a treaty by which certain rights of fishery in coni‘ mon with llritish fidiermen. which had been claimed by the linited States for its people under the treaty of peace of 1783, u Lire recognized by Great Britain, while others were renounced by the L'nited States, lly this renunciation American fishing \‘i‘KHla were not allowed to take. dry or cure fish "within three marine miles of the coasts, bays. harbors and creeks" of the llruish possessions except certain specified coasts and except in '1 cases of emergency. Some tucntydive years after the rights of their people, which, being unqualified and perpetual , could not be so restricted, except by mutual agreement of the two governments. Other questions of a minor character, all growing out of the meaning placed upon the language of the treaty, are involved. It will be a matter for congratulation to both countries when this controversy, which has been the fruitful source of irritation and of voluminous diplomatic correspondence for over sixty years, is at last laid to rest, as it will be by the uzs signed the colonial governments declared that the wt rd "bays" wed in the treaty meant any bay so named on the maps. "llt't‘thL‘ of its width. and some American ve 13 were wind at distances greater than three miles from land. litliltil S The denied this, interpretation of the treaty provisions, asrertin; that only inlets of the sea not over six miles wide were intended. l‘irom that time fr'irward the interpretation has been in lllrllllik'. .-\t a much later period the Newfoundland government adopted rt 'ations as to the coast fisheries of that island which ;\n:< riran ii-lu rnx< u have the right at certain places to participate in "'21 common" with llri .1 fishermen. Certain of these regu- lath us \aere thought id la- directed against Americans and also to discriminate in favor of the local fishermen. The United States protested against this action as being a limitation of the award of the tribunal of The Hague, which will meet about a year hence to hear and determine the true meaning and intent of the fisheries article of the treaty of 1818. The increasing practice of mutual exchanges of views upon all classes of subjects through the agency of international con- gresses, conferences and conventions, and the sessions of interna- tional associations. tend toward an economic union of nations and a better understanding between them, and make for the peace of the world. During the six months from June I to December I. 1008, there were thirty-five such meetings. The subjects which they considered were of a most varied character. relating to peace. law. legislation. science, and political institutions, morality, health. art. industries, etc. When the military spirit is dominant. and war and its achievements are uppermost in the minds of the people, the (li5« position is to fly to arms upon the $1 qhtest provocation. The greatest factor for the maintenance of p ace is the habit of thought about peace which now prevails throughout the civilized world. It fits the public mind like a garmeuti The world will achieve whatever it desires if the desire is constant and all- pervading He who would now provoke or advocate war must stand before the bar of the civilized world and answer its judgment. No man or nation will rashly incur the hazard of its condemnation. "'1: may not be able to limit what would justify war, but we know that many of the causes that have brought on wars in the past would now meet with condemnation. This spirit will \vav stronger and become so commanding that unjustifiable war will be so execraterl by the world that those who perpetrate it ofl‘cnsively. or force others to it in vindication of rights which |
