[proceedings of the fourth universal peace congress]

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[Proceedings of the Fourth Universal Peace Congress]Source: American Advocate of Peace (1892-1893), Vol. 54, No. 7 (OCTOBER, 1892), pp. 156-161,166-173Published by: World Affairs InstituteStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27899781 .

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156 AMERICAN ADVOCATE OF PEACE.

PROCEEDINGS of the fourth annual meeting of the universal peace

congress, held at berne, switzerland, august

22 27, 1892.

The opening session of the Fourth Annual Universal Peace Congress was held at 9 a. m. on Monday, the 22d of August, in the Swiss Parliament Hall. Delegates were

present from about sixty peace societies, representing thirteen nationalities. The total number of delegates appointed by the different societies was 387, of whom 230 were present at the Congress. There were, in addition, 91 adherents who had the right to speak but not to vote.

Mr. Louis Ruchonnet, a member of the Swiss Federal

Council, who has been also twice President of the Swiss

Confederation, as temporary chairman, welcomed the del

egates in the following address.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Ladies and Gentlemen : I have the honor to open to-day the Fourth Congress of

Peace and Arbitration. I recall the fact that the first Universal Congress took

place at Paris in 1889, the second at London in 1890, and the third at Rome last year. The city of Berne has been

designated as the seat of the fourth Congress ; it is due to this choice that I have the privilege of bidding you wel come to-day, in the name of the committee on organiza tion, to the chief seat of our ancient Confederation.

You will find here neither the splendors of the great capitals which welcomed your former gatherings nor the sumptuous receptions given you there. Our simple and unpretentious people can offer you only a cordial welcome ; but this they offer you with all their heart, for they have

long been the convinced partisans of all the pacific teach ings which you are disseminating, with so much persever ance, in the two worlds.

It is possible also that the Peace Societies will find in our

country some matters of observation which are not without interest at the present time. Here people of different lan guages, races and religions are living together. Their manners are not alike ; their interests are sometimes oppo site. Do not think, however, that you have before you only an artificial and perhaps ephemeral agglomeration. Swiss national unity asserts itself above all these diver gencies. There is not a citizen of Switzerland who is not convinced of it and who would permit anyone to call it in question. Is there not in this organization, where the citizen finds his normal expansion in the autonomy of the cantons and grants gladly to the central government what every State is under obligation to exact, for the accom plishment of its high mission,? is there not, I say, in this organism the political form which the future holds in reservation for all civilized peoples, national unity based on the free choice of the people, on right and on liberty?

It is in this country also ? excuse me for speaking

further about it ? that one of the most ancient treaties of arbitration was signed. It bears the date of 1291 and the seals of the cantons of Uri, Schwytz and Nidwald. To this act, born of the political wisdom of simple peas?nts, Switzerland of to-day owes its existence, of which it had the good fortune last year to celebrate the six hundredth

LOUIS RUCHONNET, President of the Berne Peace Congress.

anniversary. It is in this country, furthermore, that a memorable difficulty between two great nations, that of the Alabama, was settled by arbitrators. It is here further, that through the confidence of several nations bureaus have been established to which they have intrusted the care of their interests in several domains, that of the

post, the telegraph, intellectual property and others.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have met to organize a war

against war. That is the common aim of all the associa tions which are represented here. It is our wish that

justice should preside over the relations between peoples as it has long been adjusting the relations between indi viduals. We demand that differences between States should be settled by arbitration and not by the sword.

Philosophers, economists, statisticians, jurisconsults, eminent men of all countries have become apostles of our aspirations after peace and justice. They have drawn up against war an accusation which has not been answered. It is the rights of civilization which they have asked for. It is the voice of humanity itself which has spoken through their mouth. Nevertheless, what have we before us ? The States of our old Europe are

increasing every year their formidable armaments. From the greatest to the least, it is a question with them who shall accumulate the largest number of engines of destruction. It would seem that preparation is

emulously being made for a final cataclysm in which shall be proclaimed once for all the reign of violence and the deification of force.



AMERICAN ADVOCATE OF PEACE. 157

This spectacle is certainly of a nature to sadden those who believe in a different destiny for humanity. Is it also such as to discourage them? I do not think so. Convinced of the justice of our cause, believing that the future is in its hands, we feel that our duty is increasing with the increase of the difficulties. The more threaten ing the mutterings of the storm, the louder ought we to sound also the alarm.

We have the truth on our side. When we give ourselves seriously to the matter, we shall be the victors. Let us, if you wish, make an estimate of our forces : First, then, comes the immense army of peasants, to whom war is hateful. The poor tiller of the soil has enough difficulties placed in his way by nature, without the addition by man of those created by his passions,? wicked man, who takes his sons for war and beats down his harvests with the wheels of cannon. Next comes the not less numerous army of workingmen, the first victims of war. The workingman knows only too well that in time of peace he must support a soldier in addition to his own family, and that when the call to arms comes, he must march to meet the enemy's fire and leave his loved ones in want. Shall we not find also in our peaceful ranks all the disciples of Him whose advent in the world was announced in these words : " Peace on earth"? And the jurists, those men devoted to the law, the passionate enemies of violence, is it possible that they are not with us? Then, there are the women, the women of the world, and their eloquent inter preters, a number of whom honor us by their presence in this hall. And if all these voices of humanity shall one day be lifted up together, from the pulpit, from the tribune, from the shop, from the fields, from the hearth stone, declaring that human beings are tired of cutting each other's throats, do you not believe that these voices will at last be heard ?

That, it seems, must be our chief task for the present. We have others still. But before the danger which is so

threatening, our first task must be to get humanity to enlist under our banner. Let us found everywhere peace associations. Let us secure the adhesion of all, great and small. Let us give to these masses a centre of action from which they may exercise a common influence.

In this way we shall have created a real public opinion, and possibly some day, and that too sooner than is

supposed, governments will be glad to listen to its voice. Ladies and gentlemen, the friends of peace have

another task to which I should like also to call your attention, viz., the introduction of arbitration for the

settling of differences between States. We all entertain the hope that the day will come when questions of right between different countries shall be treated under written laws in accordance with which a permanent tribunal of arbitrators shall pronounce judgment on all these con flicts and shall be provided with the necessary means for

securing the enforcement of its decisions. This happy future, which is being worked out with great wisdom by the labors of eminent jurists, notably by those of the Institute of International Law, this final purpose pointed out already by Kant, Stuart Mill, Laveleye, Mancini, Jules Simon, Passy, and so many other noble minds, this

purpose is also ours and we desire to labor for its realization. But while waiting for its realization, we

ought to do all in our power to secure the insertion of arbitral clauses in all treaties whatever. The number

of international troubles which have been removed by decisions of arbitrators is already large. The recent work of our colleague, Mr. Ferdinand Dreyfuss, and

that of Mr. Michel Re von on " International Arbitra

tion, its Past, Present, and Future," give us on this

subject encouraging information. In them is found the proof that arbitration, even without any legal sanction, is an institution suited to prevent numerous wars.

A great step has recently been taken in the way of arbitration, I mean the treaty of Washington of the 18th of April, 1890. "This date," says Mr. Michel Revon, " was a glorious day for the friends of peace, and we do not hesitate to say that on that day, they gained their most brilliant victory." We all know what this treaty stipulates. Eighteen American Republics solemnly enter into obligations

" to settle all their difficulties by diplo matic means, without having recourse to arms, or to

hostilities on any account whatever, and they will submit all questions of a serious nature, which might produce war, and upon which they shall be unable to agree, to the decision without appeal of one or more arbitrators named by common accord." Another clause in this

treaty provides that all nations wishing to do so may enter into it.

When this important act shall have been ratified by the American Governments and possibly by some Euro pean States, millions of men will have passed from a state of war into the juridic state. Let us hope that it

may soon be so.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hasten to give the floor to those better qualified than myself to speak. A word in conclusion. Our task is immense, but this Congress is not the last one. What we do not obtain to-day, others will obtain to-morrow. Convinced as we all are

that we are laboring for justice and for the good of humanity, we shall be satisfied to have done our duty.

I hope, ladies and gentlemen, that the days which you are about to pass in our midst may leave with you noth ing but pleasant remembrances.

At the close of the President's address of welcome, which was received with hearty applause, a number of

telegrams were read from delegates who had been

prevented from attending the Congress. A telegram in

response was, at the President's suggestion, prepared and directed to be forwarded.

A few moments were given to expressions of grief over the death of a distinguished advocate of peace, Charles Lemonnier, and the whole assembly arose in token

0f mourning.

Representatives of different countries were then called on, who replied to the address of welcome given by the President.

Dr. Richter spoke for Germany. He said that the cause of peace was making great progress in Germany. It had warm partisans in the German Parliament. The idea of peace had been at first like a small plant set in the earth. But it had grown stronger and would soon become a great tree which would cover the whole earth with its shadow. The people wish peace and their




opinion is beginning to count for something. In proof, he cited the fact that the school law, passed by the Prussian

Landtag, had been withdrawn because it had not the assent of the people. Switzerland, he said, was the country the best suited for the Universal Peace Congress. His

concluding words were : 44 Peace and liberty are on the mountains. Let them descend and give us inspiration that we may return to our several countries as apostles of peace."

Mr. Felix Moscheles, of London, spoke for his

country. 44 It is not without emotion that I rise to

speak, for I consider myself a simple soldier in the midst of you who are fighting for peace."

Alluding to the place of the Peace Bureau, he was much astonished that it had been placed in the street called

Kanonenweg (Cannon Way). But looking at the word more closely it might be right after all. By simply chang ing the accent, it would become, Kanonen, Weg (Away

with Cannon). It has been said that manly qualities will

disappear if arms are laid aside, but this idea is essen

tially false. Every one may carry the Alpenstock of

peace and difficult endeavor. That is the new idea. The Baroness von Suttner responded in behalf of the

Austrian Peace Society. Her appearance on the ros

trum was greeted with prolonged applause. She presented her fraternal salutations to the peace-makers of all lands and her thanks to those who support by their influence the cause of human brotherhood. She rectified an error

that had crept into several papers about the Austrian Peace Society. It was not a u

Society of Women." The larger part of the Association consisted of men of all classes of society. A protestation coming exclusively from the weaker sex would be singularly wanting in au

thority. She spoke with great pleasure of the progress made in Austria. The young men of the Universities had been won, and the press, represented by the greatest jour nals of Vienna, the Neue Freie Presse the Tagblatt, etc., was giving its valuable support to the cause of peace. But while rejoicing over the success achieved, we must not allow ourselves to be deluded. How great is the blindness and deafness of the masses to our aspirations. In public gatherings, those present are united together by a peculiar interest; here in our assembly it is a the

solidarity of the whole civilized world" which unites us. All those who have grasped this ideal have the right to

speak, even a woman like herself. The dignity of man is the privilege of no class, of no nation and of no sex. She mentioned the conversion to the peace cause of the

great German novelist, Friedrich Spielhagen, and the formation at St. Petersburg of a peace association. 44 When all the world shall have comprehended that what is called 'ultima ratio9 is only the last of lies, then the little initial victories, won by our Societies and over which we alone rejoice, will be followed, to the blessing of all, by the final triumph."

Mr. La Fontaine saluted Switzerland in the name of his little country, Belgium, which asks to be neutralized.

He cited the words of Von Moltke : 44 If we abolish war, we shall sink to the lowest materialism." 44 This Congress will prove," said he,

44 by its discussions, that we can do

without war and yet preserve the purest and most exalted of ideals.''

Mr. Frederic Bajer, in responding, said that his little

country was surrounded by the sea, while Switzerland was surrounded by mountains. Neutralization is a ne

cessity for Denmark. His concluding words were : 44 My

little country encircled by the sea, offers her salutations to the little nation encircled by mountains.''

Mrs. Belva Lockwood, in responding for America,

gave a brief review of the peace movement in the United

States, spoke of the work done in Congress in behalf of the cause and called attention to the Chicago Exposition next

year as a great opportunity for the promotion of the peace movement. She gave an invitation on behalf of her So

ciety to the Congress to go to Chicago next year and invited the European Societies to send materials for a

peace exhibit.

Mr. de Montltjc, speaking for France, found but one

word in which to salute Switzerland, 44 the land of all

liberties," and that was the word liberty. He would not

carry away a single piece of the granite of Switzerland, but he would like to borrow some of her institutions. He mentioned the numerous Peace Societies which send their salutations to Switzerland,

44 a splendid casket in which is enclosed a jewel of great price."

Mr. Mazzoleni, of Milan, thanks Switzerland for

having given refuge to the promoters of Italian unity, when it was still only a 44

utopia'9 even to the most

enlightened minds. The purpose of the Peace Congress will have a similar realization. 44

Many persons cry out

against the death penalty and yet support the idea of war." 44 If one has not the right to lay the hand of death on an assassin, no more has one the right to provoke the death of multitudes."

Mr. Eliescu, a Roumanian, spoke in the name of one of the first University Peace Associations. To work for

peace is the very crown of University studies. The Peace Congress, though having decided to avoid all the

complications of vexed questions and thus assure its own existence, must nevertheless, in accordance with its

principles, do something with practical questions. Thus

only can it win confidence. He mentions the deplorable situation of the Roumanians in Hungary, as a concrete

example. They are in an exceptional way outlawed. All crimes are committed against them, for the senseless

purpose of creating a homogeneous population. The time has come to give attention to the oppressed, that the masses may be convinced of the grandeur of the

peace movement. 44 Long live Switzerland, where the




r?gime of peace, of justice and of reason has already been put in practice."

Mr. Destrem gives a very interesting historical r?sum? of the peace associations of France.

Mr. Mark Howarth, of Liverpool, moved that the

Congress send greetings to the President of the Swiss Confederation and to the Federal Council. He expressed the hope that the present friendly relations of Switzerland with other countries might long be maintained. The

President, as a member of the Federal Council, in a few well chosen words responded to Mr. Howarth's motion, which had been carried by acclamation.

Dr. W. Evans Darby expressed the salutations and

hearty good wishes to the Congress of the London Peace

Society, one of the oldest in existence. He endorsed the references to Switzerland and said it was a kind of

object lesson to the world, showing how people of different race, language and religion can live together in

peace and mutual helpfulness. It was a working model of the United States of Europe, of whose realization

many were dreaming. Referring to the death of eminent

peace advocates, he said that every great movement is marked by the monuments of those who have fallen. But the peace movement is not a thing of a day. He referred especially to the long and distinguished service of the late Henry Richard, M. P., and concluded by saying:

" We meet under circumstances of great encour

agement. Our principles are winning their way every where. The Zeitgeist, in spite of military developments, even because of them, is eminently pacific. Let us

therefore bend ourselves to our task full of hope and confidence and with the spirit of those who have conse crated themselves to one of the greatest works for

humanity in which men can be engaged." Dr. Benjamin F. Trueblood expressed to the Con

gress the greetings of the American Peace Society and of

the friends of peace on the other side of the sea. He said that the small number of delegates present from

America must not be interpreted, as some had thought, as

indicating a decline in interest on the part of Americans.

On the contrary, their interest had never been so great as now. The Pan-American Congress was proof of this.

So also was the action of the Christian women of America

at the time of the Chilean difficulty, in sending to the

President of the United States a petition signed by 500,000 women, protesting against a war. He made

reference also to the invitation given by the President

some two years ago to all civilized nations to form

permanent arbitration treaties with the United States, an invitation still standing and which the United

States would never recall. He alluded to the intro

duction into the Senate by Senator Sherman of a

resolution instructing the President to send a special Commission to foreign nations inviting their cooperation in

the creation of a permanent international court of arbi

tration. This resolution, which will doubtless pass early next year, will mark a new and most important stage in the peace"movement. The Christian people of America

are, he said, more in sympathy with the cause to-day, than ever before. There are things to criticise in the

present attitude of the United States toward armament, but the movement of civilization there is forward and not backward. The people of his country are anxious to do what they can to encourage the friends of peace in

Europe to deliver the old world from the vast burdens under which it is now struggling.

Mr. Vasseur, of Paris, spoke briefly of the false education given to children in the schools, especially in reference to history, greeted Switzerland in the same strain as several previous speakers had done, and then the session was closed by the President.

AFTERNOON SESSION, AUGUST 22.

The Congress met in the Hall of the Museum where all the subsequent meetings were held.

The following permanent officers were chosen : Mr. Louis Ruchonnet, President, Mr. Elie Ducommun, Vice-President,

Mr. Robert Comtesse, Vice-President, Mr. Umilta, Secretary, Mr. Louis Perrin, Treasurer.

The following were chosen as honorary vice-presidents, and with the officers above given, constituted the perma nent business committee of the Congress : Dr. Richter, Germany; Thomas Snape, M. P., England; the Baroness von Suttner, Austria ; Mr. La Fontaine,

Belgium ; Miss Toussaint, France ; Frederick Bajer, M. P., Denmark; Dr. *B. F. Trueblood, United States; Mr. Ciuflea, Roumania ; General Guaita, Italy ; Mr.

M?ller, Sweden; Mrs. Marie Goegg, Switzerland; and Mr. Milkowski, Russia.

After the election of officers, further telegrams were read from delegates kept at home. It was announced from the chair that a number of letters had been received from friends of peace in different parts of the

world, the reading of which was deferred. Dr. Trueblood then read two salutations brought with

him from America, one from the Peace and Arbitration

Department of the N. & W. W. C. T. U., signed by Miss Frances E. Willard and by Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey ; the other from the International Missionary Union, held in June at Clifton Springs, New York.

At this point the .question was raised by a resolution of Mr. Edmond Thiaudi?re, General Secretary of the French International Arbitration Society, whether it was

proper to call this the Fourth Universal Peace Congress, as several congresses had been held prior to 1889. A brief discussion followed which showed that many

thought the word Fourth very objectionable. The vote




showed that a considerable majority were in favor of

retaining the word, as not until 1889 at Paris had the

Congress become a regular annual gathering. The order of the day was then taken up. Mr. La Fon

taine, on behalf of the Belgian Peace Society, presented at considerable length the subject of " The Regulation of Future Congresses." He proposed that in the future

the Congress be divided into two sections, to sit on alter

nate half days, one for legislation, the other to discuss

methods of propaganda. The chief points given in favor

of the proposed regulation were that the Congress having now become a regular annual gathering should establish

a regular set of rules of procedure and secondly, that

there was a class of legal questions which required discus

sion by jurists, and if a section on legislation should be

constituted, many more of these might be gotten into the

Congress.

The second topic on the progam was presented by Mr. Louis Gu?bin, of the International Peace and Liberty

League, and then the two subjects, being closely allied, were discussed together. Mr. Gu?bin proposed that in

future congresses, a maximum and minimum number of

delegates from the Peace Societies be fixed, arguing that

if this were not done certain societies or nationalities,

especially localities where the congresses are held, might have a dangerous superiority in numbers and thus control

the proceedings in accordance with their own wishes.

The opposition to these two propositions was led by Dr. G. B. Clark, M. P., from London, in a concise but

strong and clear speech. The Congress, being composed of delegates of the Peace Societies and having no exist

ence apart from the wish of these Societies, cannot

prescribe any rules for future congresses. Each Congress

can legislate for itself only. Furthermore, it would

be unadvisable to divide the Congress into two sections, as that would inevitably destroy its unity, the two

sections would cease to have any great interest the one

in the proceedings of the other, and thus the very exist

ence of the Congress itself would be endangered. The

Congress is in no sense a legislative body except for its

own proceedings, its great purpose being a moral one in

the creation and consolidation of public opinion. For

the same reason no limits could be fixed to the number of

delegates from the societies, and none need be fixed, as

there had never been in past congresses any disposition on the part of any Society or nationality to override

others.

The discussion was a very interesting one, conducted

in a most excellent spirit, though with much earnestness.

It was participated in by Messrs. Clark, La Fontaine,

Gu?bin, Dreyfus, Dr. Kolben, Montluc, L?wenthal and

Arnaud.

A proposition of the President was adopted, that the

questions be referred to a special Commission to report

later during the Congress. The Commission consisted of Messrs. Ducommun, Darby, Trueblood, Kolben, Montluc, La Fontaine, Moneta, Richter and Gu?bin.

The session closed at six o'clock.

TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 23.

The Congress assembled at 9.30. In the absence oi the chairman, Mr. Elie Ducommun presided. After the

reading of three telegrams, one from Mr. Passy, of

Paris, one from the Dyers' Association, of Brussels, and one from Professor Brassel, of St. Gall, the order of the day was taken up. The subject for consideration was the

International Peace Bureau.

Mr. Ducommun reported that the work of the Bureau

during the past year had been merely initiative. They had classified and published in pamphlet form the resolu tions enacted by former congresses, so that all might know what had been done and the labor be saved of going over work already accomplished. They had looked after the preparation of the program for this Congress as

instructed in their appointment last year, had sent out the

appeals to teachers, to workingmen, etc., and had endeav

ored to serve as a bond of union to the various peace societies throughout the world.

In giving the financial statement Mr. Ducommun said that about 10,300 francs had been subscribed for the use of the Bureau of which 9554 francs had been actually received. The expenses for the year had been 2941

francs, of which 650 francs had been voted by the Con

gress last year for carrying out its resolutions, so that the actual cost for the Bureau for the year was only about 2300 francs. 6897 francs was on deposit in the Federal Bank of Berne. With the unpaid subscriptions they had at their disposal 7300 francs. It was proposed to divide this sum into two equal parts and make it serve for two years to come. The societies which had not yet contributed anything were appealed to to do what they could for the increase of the funds of the Bureau.

Mr. Frederick Bajer, chairman of the auditing com

mittee of the Bureau, proposed the adoption of the report

presented by Mr. Ducommun and thanked him for the time and trouble he had taken, without charge, to make the Bureau a success. The proposition was voted unani

mously. Mr. Ducommun then presented a draft of Stat

utes for the organization and future management of the Bureau, with the special aim that it might have a

legal existence under the laws of Switzerland. The question was raised, on the presentation of these

statutes, what relation the Bureau would hereafter hold to the Congress, whether that of a master or servant. Mr. M. Howarth, of Liverpool, asked whether the

members of the Bureau were to be elected annually.




The reply was in the affirmative. The discussion was participated in by Messrs. Potonie, Reyer, L?vven

thal, Clark, Snape, Thiaudi?re and Montluc. The

necessity of the Bureau was strongly maintained by a

portion of the speakers, the other portion, represented

particularly by the English delegates, seeing no special need of having such a Bureau at all, and in any event

holding that the Bureau should be kept strictly under the control of the Congress.

Mr. Thiaudi?re proposed that the Bureau be com

posed of one member from each society which should

contribute at least 400 francs to its funds. This method was held to be impracticable.

At the close of the discussion the Statutes presented

by Mr. Ducommun were voted by a large majority amid

great applause, and the Bureau may be considered here after as a permanent factor in the peace movement.

Mr. Renaud, on behalf of the Swiss section of the International Peace and Liberty League, then presented, as the next topic on the program, a resolution which had

been modified to read as follows : " The Congress asks the (Swiss) Federal Council to

take the initiative in an appeal to the governments of the two worlds to support the work of the International

Peace Bureau."

Mr. Renaud thought that the governments were directly interested in the work which the Bureau was destined to

do and might well afford to spend a little money in its

support. No nation was better fitted to take the initia

tive in asking help than the Swiss.

Mr. Bajer read a paper on the u Creation of an Inter

national Union of States which might wish the services

of the Bureau and might be willing to aid it financially in

view of a progressive approach toward the juridical state

of nations."

The two subjects were discussed together.

Mr. Appleton, of London, thought we should get

nothing from governments and that we should only make

ourselves ridiculous in appealing to them. He thought we ought to make an appeal to the friends of peace

everywhere in behalf of the Bureau, and let govern

ments alone.

Mr. Marsauche, of the Swiss Society, thought that

the Swiss Federal Council was not at all in a position to

undertake what was proposed in the resolution. He

moved that the word "Societies" be substituted for "

governments," and that the Swiss Society be asked to

take the initiative in carrying out its own proposal. His

amendment was not approved.

Mr. Wirth, of Frankfort, did not attribute any great

importance to this address to governments. The first

thing to do was to gain public opinion. Then govern ments would do their duty. Opinion must be awakened

by the press and all other means. |

Mr. Dreyfus held the same opinion as Mr. Wirth.

Governments will reply : "You ask us for money for peace, we have none except for war."

Mr. Vasseur was distrustful of governments. If they

should give money for the Bureau, they would do it with a

sinister motive. They were not concerned about peace ideas.

Mr. Pardoux thought that no application at all should be made to governments. We should wait till they offer us something.

Mr. Samuel Insull, of London, said we ought to beware of taking money from governments whose hands are stained with blood. Mr. Renaud, in defending his proposition, said that

there exist already International Bureaus whose success

is assured. Why should not the governments come to the

support of this one also? They are the interested parties. He was well aware that the gaining of public opinion was the most important thing.

Madame Raymond Pognon, of Paris, proposed that an

appeal be made to the Interparliamentary Conference which was to meet immediately after the Congress. There the opinion of the nations could be seen already formed.

Mr. Mllcowski, of Russia, thought that application might very properly be made to the Swiss Government, but not to all.

Mr. Arnaud here interposed and suggested that with certain modifications in the proposition, the views of all

might be reconciled. He proposed that the words " con stituted powers" be substituted for "governments" and

that the words " members of parliament" be added. He called for the vote at once, and wras supported by the Baroness von Suttner and others. The meaning of the

words "constituted powers" not being clear to some, he

explained them to mean any powers legally constituted,

such as municipalities, etc.

The vote was then taken, and the words "constituted

powers " substituted by a large majority. The motion to

make an appeal to "constituted powers" was then put and

carried by 39 against 19. The motion to make an appeal to the Swiss Federal Council to take the initiative was carried by a large majority. The proposition of the Inter national League of Peace and Liberty, as thus amended, was then passed by a vote of 53 to 4, and the session closed at a quarter past twelve o'clock.

A.FTERNOON SESSION, AUGUST 23.

A telegram was read from Mr. Hodgson Pratt, of Lon don, who was prevented from attending the Congress.

Mr. R. Comtesse, who had been taken ill, sent a letter

proposing that Mr. Moscheles be appointed Vice-Presi dent in his stead. This was agreed to.

[ Continued on page 16?.)




At a regular meeting of the Directors of the American Peace Society on Oct. 3d the following resolution was

passed: " The Secretary is requested to prepare a

brief memorial notice of the late John G-. Whittier for

publication in the Advocate of Peace, and to send

copies of the same to the family and relatives of the deceased."

Gen. Dragomirof?, the hero of the Russo-Turkish war, the most popular soldier in Russia, who was expected to command the armies of the Czar in the next war, was

dismissed on the 19th of September. The cause of his dismissal was his harsh criticism of the men under his

command. His theory of the soldier was that he is to be nothing but an automaton. This action of the Czar is looked upon as favoring peace.

The Independent has the following with which we are in hearty sympathy :

" The feeling of the Chinese against the Geary Bill is becoming more and more bitter. In New York City a mass meeting was held last week denouncing it, and in San Francisco the six Companies have issued proclama tions urging that no Chinaman register or obey the law. Similar feeling exists in Chicago. We hope that

everything possible will be done to retrieve this great mistake and remove the foul blot from our country."

We have secured a supply of "Pax Mundi" and u War as It Is," previously mentioned in our columns,

and shall keep them for sale. The former is a concise statement of the history of the peace movement and contains much valuable information. The latter, illus

trated, is a vivid presentation of the terrible realities of war. We shall be glad to supply these works to any who may wish a more intimate acquaintance with the

peace cause. For prices see page 175.

The death of Joseph Ernest Renan on the 2d inst., at the Coll?ge de France, removes one of the prominent figures of this century. He was educated for the Catholic priesthood. In his reaction against the formal ism of the Romish Church he became a skeptic and ag nostic, and spent his strength chiefly in trying to under mine the foundations of Historic Christianity. He was

the author of many books connected with the subjects of New Testament and Old Testament History, the chief of which was his Life of Jesus. He was a member of the Institute and at his death had been for nine years " administrateur

" of the Coll?ge de France.

[Continued from page 161.1

Mr. Snape, M. P., proposed, on behalf of the English

delegation, that all resolutions should be clearly given in

English as well as in French, and when any question came

to vote that it should be clearly stated in English, so that

they might know definitely on what they were asked to

vote ; also that all resolutions and amendments should be

given in the words in which they were moved. This

course was adopted. The program was then taken up. The following prop

osition of Mr. Alfred H. Love, of Philadelphi?, was left

over from the morning session :

"Whenever a difficulty threatens to cause a war between

nations, the Peace Societies of these nations ought im

mediately to inform the Bureau, which, in turn, should advise all Peace Societies of it, in order that they may address their several governments with the view of bring ing about a peaceful solution of the difficulties. The Bureau itself should also address an appeal to govern ments with this aim."

Mr. Elie Ducommun, in presenting the resolution on

behalf of Mr. Love absent, said that there was no neces

sity of passing it, as the Bureau were sufficiently author

ized, by the statutes previously adopted, to do all that

the resolution contemplated.

Mrs. Belva Lockwood withdrew the last sentence of the

proposition, on behalf of Mr. Love. The President then put the question as to whether the

resolution should be adopted omitting the last clause, or

the course suggested by Mr. Ducommun be followed. The latter course was followed by a vote of 39 to 11.

The next topic on the program was

International Arbitration.

This was considered under three separate heads :

1. The Institution of Tribunals. 2. The Sanction of Arbitral Decisions. 3. Permanent Treaties of Arbitration.

The three subjects were first presented by the persons who had been named on the program, and then followed a discussion on the whole subject, extending over into the next day, which for ability and brilliancy is rarely sur

passed. The first proposition taken up was that of Mr. J. M.

Wallace, Vice-President of the Universal Peace Union of

Philadelphia. The substance of the proposition was that an International Court of Arbitration be formed

(presumably by the Peace Congress or the Peace Socie

ties, though the proposition does not say), which any two nations might apply to at their discretion, paying the

expenses of the court for the time being, until it should have a permanent fund at its control.

Mrs. Lockwood was of opinion that the proposition was impracticable and might as well be withdrawn. It was dropped and not afterwards called up.




Mr. Felix Moscheles, in the author's absence, read a

paper which had been prepared by Mr. Hodgson Pratt. Mr. Pratt said in his paper, that there was no question which a competent tribunal would be incapable of solv

ing. He cited Mr. Dreyfus as saying that the national honor placed, as it is, under the protection of patriotism, is a matter which can not be submitted to arbitration.

Mr. Pratt considers that the answer to this lies in the fact that a nation must be considered as an individual. The liberty of the individual is determined by the liberty of others. "The position of a nation in its relations with others is certainly absolutely analogous." The more this analogy shall be recognized, the more simple will be our conception of international relations, rights and duties. Cases of disputes may be reduced to three

principal heads ; juridical cases, political difficulties and

questions of honor. The first offer no difficult}7, and are

the more numerous. The others ought also to be settled

by arbitration. Mr. Arnaud introduced the proposition of the Inter

national Peace and Liberty League on arbitral sanctions : "In no case can measures taken to execute an arbitral

decision have the character of acts of war nor be con

sidered such. " Without derogating from their inalienable autonomy,

the nations signing a treaty of arbitration may juridically by a special act of compromise, authorize the arbitrators to provide a sanction for their decision." Mr. Arnaud, in commencing his speech, recalled the

statement of the President in his opening discourse, that

the juridical state was about to be realized in America. He would gladly have added " in Europe," for " the

establishing of such a state is a necessity and ought to be the aim of all our labors." At Rome the Congress had voted that all peoples, without interfering with their national existence, should submit to arbitrators chosen by

themselves. The real meaning of treaties of arbitration is now well known. The question is, as Mr. Pratt says, to what extent shall international arbitration be carried. The criterion ought to be the national sovereignty. Who shall say where the autonomy of the State shall

stop? In the treaty of Washington, each nation may hide behind the exception made in regard to the national

autonomy. Morality between nations is the same as that

between individuals, justice ought to be the same also.

The execution of an arbitral sentence will not imply war.

The measures taken will be simply acts of justice, like

police enforcement. Mr. Arnaud then spoke on the

necessity of creating a formula for a permanent treaty of

arbitration and of circulating it as widely as possible in

order that all may become acquainted with the subject He closed his brilliant discourse by saying that "the

juridical status between two nations, between three and

then between four will become the real basis of a Euro

pean federation,"

Mr. Arnaud handed in the following proposition : " The Congress instructs a commission of nine members

to prepare a simple formula for permanent treaties of

arbitration, that is, treaties by which two or more peoples, on the previous reciprocal guaranty of their independence, shall bind themselves to submit to arbitrators named by themselves, in the manner indicated in the treaties, all differences and conflicts which may arise between them."

The Congress instructed the International Peace Bureau to prepare and circulate such a formula as widely as possible and in the way that it should think most useful.

Mr. Blymer, of Ohio, then introduced his proposition to the effect that when an arbitral decision had been refused by any nation, the injured nation should have the right to convoke a special commission and providing how this commission should be chosen, etc. The scheme was considered by the Congress both unnecessary and

mpracticable at the present time, and hence the proposi tion dropped out of sight.

The general discussion was then opened on the whole

subject of International Arbitration, under the three heads given above.

Mr. Mazzoleni, of Italy, announced his intention of

speaking before the approaching Interparliamentary Conference on the subject of permanent treaties ot arbitration. He felt that something ought to be done to

get the nations of Europe to respond to the invitation of the United States to enter into permanent treaties ot arbitration. The resolution of the question ?f courts of arbitration was a very difficult one even in America.

Mr. George Gillett, of London, expressed the hope that we might be very careful to avoid adopting any theory of arbitral sanctions that would involve real acts of war. If nations which were parties to an arbitral

treaty should take up arms to compel a nation refusing to

do so to accept an adverse arbitral decision, we might call it justice or police enforcement or anything we like, but the acts would all the same be acts of war. Though there seems to be no way at present to form an Inter

national Court of Arbitration, we should not relax our efforts to secure the introduction of the principle into new treaties. France and Germany require mediation

rather than arbitration.

Dr. Kolben thought the questions of sufficient impor tance to justify their reference to a special Commission. He had not himself sufficiently studied them. The first

part of Mr. Arnaud's proposition he thought prejudicial to the Congress. The propositions of Mr. Blymer he

thought were simply "fine dreams of the future." The

Congress must do something practical, in order to

strengthen itself. Could not the Congress name a

Bureau of Arbitration which might have a very great moral influence on public opinion? He handed in a

proposition to this effect, to go to the business committee.




Mr. Dreyfus, having to leave the Congress at this

point, interrupted the discussion to take leave. He

hoped the Congress would cause a great step to be taken in advance, that we might not longer have to rest under the charge of utopianism. We must have faith in our

cause, and not that scepticism which withers and

destroys. After a proposition made by Mr. Moneta which was

to go before the Bureau, and a short speech by Mr. Lewis Appleton, in the course of which he said that

having once decided that all war is wrong we ought not to adopt any resolutions that would seem to uphold war, the session was closed in the midst of the discussion.

TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 23.

In the evening an entertainment w7as given in honor of the Congress at the Sch?nzli Theatre. The exercises consisted of music by Rossini, and two plays entitled "The Golden Cross" and "Die Waffen Nieder."

Many of the delegates did not attend.

WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 24.

The Congress reassembled at 9.30, with Mr. Ruchonnet

in the chair. The discussion of the subject of Inter

national Arbitration was resumed.

Mr. Thiaudiere referred to what had been said by Mr. Mazzoleni the previous day, and proposed that the

Congress send a memorial to the Interparliamentary Conference, in order that the representatives of the

different countries might establish closer relations

between them. He submitted to the Bureau a proposition to this effect. Mr. Thomas Snape, M. P., thought that the various

proposals made to the Congress were of little practical value. It was not possible to prepare a formula for

treaties of arbitration, as had been proposed by Mr.

Arnaud. That belonged rather to Parliaments than to

Peace Congresses. The first work of the latter is to get the principle of arbitration accepted. No nation, which

had consented to arbitrate, would be likely to refuse to

obey the arbitral decision. No such case had ever been

known. Even where the decree was objectionable to a

nation, as in the Alabama case, there was no thought of

refusing to accept. It was useless, therefore, to go into

the question of sanctions. Any nation refusing to

accept the decision of a court of arbitrators would be

dishonored, and the sense of national honor was there

fore a sufficient sanction. If compulsion in any form

had to be used, the principle of arbitration would be

abandoned.

Professor Leone Levi's scheme was as good as anyone

is likely to devise. That scheme had been sanctioned by

jurists of Europe, and had also been revised. It had

been said that unless we have some basis of law to guide

the court, failure might result. In the Alabama case there had been no basis of law, and an ex post facto law had to be devised. The Association for the Reform and Codification of International Law had degenerated. In stead of giving its attention to the larger questions of arbitration as regards peace, it devoted itself almost

wholly to questions of private International Law. The proposition of Mr. Hodgson Pratt as to a treaty

with the United States was a practical one, and ought not to be lost sight of. A permanent agreement ought to be entered into with America. It was discreditable that a

proposition coming from a Christian nation like the United States had been accepted by no European country except Switzerland, the smallest of them all.

Mr. Snape then proposed the following resolution on behalf of the English delegation: "That the whole of these suggestions, which have been brought before us in the order of the day, be referred to the International

Bureau, with the object of studying the question, and that it present a report to the next Congress." He proposed also on his own behalf a resolution as to a permanent treaty with America. He said further, that if the matter were referred to the Bureau, it would have the decisions of the Interparliamentary Conference to guide its delibera tions. We should strive to secure the adoption of the

principle of International Arbitration, and so hasten the time when the voice of Christ would be heard on the earth.

Mrs. Belva Lockwood supported Mr. Snape's second

proposition, and urged that measures be taken to get the civilized nations to respond to the invitation of the Presi dent of the United States, and form permanent treaties of arbitration with that country.

Mr. Destrem thought the Congress was making no pro

gress. It was simply citing the Alabama case and other similar things, but doing nothing practical to advance the cause.

Mr. Levi, of Bonn, referred to the propositions of Mr. Wallace. The condemned nation ought to pay the expen ses of the arbitration. The procedure of the Court of Arbitration ought to be determined in advance. Tribu nals of arbitration ought to be established by the Con

gress which would thus affirm its own existence. Mr. L?wenthal proposed to hand over all these ques

tions to the International Bureau. The Bureau was well

qualified to study such questions. Any decisions on the moment would be premature.

The President considered the proposition of Mr. Snape, revived by Mr. L?wenthal, a motion of order, and would presently put it to the vote. There were diver

gencies of opinions among the authors of the different

propositions, and it would be well to leave to the Bureau the consideration of all these questions relating to tribu nals of arbitration.

Mr. Montluc regretted to have to oppose the motion to turn all these questions over to the Bureau. If there




was any principle on which we were all agreed, it was the

substitution of the principle of arbitration for war. The

question was ripe. He did not ask that a vote be taken on all the details, but on the question of arbitral sanc

tions something ought to be said. Charles Lemonnier had

given attention to this subject during his last days. The

question was not a new one. It had been treated by Kant

in his 44 Zum Ewigen Frieden," and in the will of Henry the Fourth.

Let the Congress declare that arbitration is susceptible of sanction. We do not wish to go home with empty hands. He begged the Congress to appoint a special commission to study the questions and report later in the

Congress.

Mr. Arnaud opposed the motion to refer, and begged of the English delegates to be willing to let a vote be

taken which would show to the world we were moving for

ward and not simply repeating ourselves from year to

year.

The President asked if there were no way of recon

ciling the two opinions. Dr. Clark and Mr. Snape

replied that it was a question of principle. They could

not admit the use of physical force in the enforcement

of an arbitral decision, without destroying the meaning of arbitration as an appeal to reason and conscience.

Dr. Trueblood here secured the recognition of the

President. He said that there were questions raised in

the various propositions, especially in those of the Inter

national Arbitration and Peace Association, which wonld

require at least a year for study. All must admit this.

On the other hand, there were others on which all were

agreed and on which we could give forth some immediate

utterance. These ought not to be allowed to go over for

a year. The invitation of the President of the United

States to the civilized nations was still standing, and we

ought to do what we could immediately to provoke a

response to this, and secure the establishment of perma nent treaties of arbitration. The United States was

about to take a further step. Senator Sherman had

just introduced into the United States Senate a resolu

tion, which it was hoped would be passed early next win

ter, instructing the President of the United States to send ? a special commission to the civilized nations, asking them

to join the United States in the formation of a permanent International Court of Arbitration. The Congress ought to do something that would encourage this movement also

Dr. Trueblood therefore proposed that a special commit

tee be appointed to look over the various propositions

submitted, select those that ought to be acted on at this

Congress and those that ought to go over for a year and be

studied by the Bureau, and report on Friday or Saturday before the Congress adjourned.

This course was adopted unanimously, and after the

appointment of the committee the session closed,

AFTERNOON SESSION, AUGUST 24,

The Congress reassembled at 2.30 with Mr. Ducom mun in the chair. The first topic on the program was

European Federation.

This subject was introduced in an address by Mr.

Moneta, of Italy. He said that this topic had been on the program of the last Congress, at Rome, but had been left over till this year. It was fortunate that it was

so, as we were now assembled in Switzerland which the friends of liberty love so much. The nations, in their relations one to another, are not living like civilized

beings, but as savages. Europe is like a body which has

members, but no head. There ought to be a federal

authority. As in Italy a consciousness of national unity had come through perseverance, so it would be with

European federation, if the friends of peace persevered. The federative principle had always been at the origin of the formation of a nation. He cited Switzerland and the United States where the central authority was in such

harmony with cantonal and State authority. The idea of European federation had been considered Utopian. That of national unity had been so in many countries. Public opinion would ultimately compel the establish ment of a federation, as it hacl liberty of conscience. Moltke had said that the nations of Europe are like trav ellers without light. It was the purpose of the friends of

peace to give them light. In concluding, Mr. Moneta

presented the following resolution :

44 The Congress invites the European Peace Societies and their adherents to make the solidarity of the European States the supreme object of their propaganda, and invites all the societies of the world to insist, especially during political elections, on the necessity of establishing a per manent Congress of nations, to which should be sub mitted the solution of every international question, in order that every dispute may be decided by law, and not by violence.''

The Baroness von Suttner, in seconding the resolu tion, said it was not the purpose to try to secure a union of European States like that of the United States of America, but only such a federation as would secure

peace and harmony among all the European nations. A member had objected to the use in the resolution in its

original form of the words 44 the rights of man," as these

really did not exist. It was our purpose to create these

rights, she said, at the same time that we try to bring about the federation. European federation ought to be the

supreme aim of the peace societies. 44 We are simply pointing out on the horizon a star which is rising and

guiding us."

After short speeches, in support of the resolution, by Messrs. Arnaud and Mr. Destrem and Madame

Thoumaian, of Armenia, the resolution was passed by a unanimous vote amid great applause.




Dr. Darby was then called on, and introduced the second topic of the afternoon,

Disarmament.

in the following resolution : "Inasmuch as the policy based on the principle Si

vis pacem, para bellum, has proved to be ineffectual to prevent the greatest wars of modern times, this Congress invites the European Powers to substitute for this policy that of definitive disarmament." After Dr. Darby had read portions of a paper in

support of the proposition, Mr. L?wenthal proposed to refer the resolution to the Bureau for study. This was

opposed by Mr. Snape and Mr. Howarth, and Mr. L?wenthal withdrew his proposition.

Mr. L. Appleton said that we were all agreed as to the erroneousness of the saying: "If you wish peace, prepare for war." He recalled the saying of Cromwell that "peace is procured by war." He would change it into " peace is procured by justice." Bismarck had once said to Lord Clarendon: "If you suppress war, you must first establish some tribunal for the settlement of difficulties." He thought Mr. Darby was getting things wrong end foremost, that we should seek first to get a court of arbitration established, and then we might hope to see the nations disband their armies.

After remarks by Mr. L?wenthal, Mr. Levi and Mr.

Pardoux, the resolution was voted nearly unmiimously. Dr. Darby then moved the second resolution standing

in his name, on

Declarations of War.

" That whilst confirming the resolutions of preceding congresses, which deny the right of war, the Congress considers that in the actual state of things, if the executive authorities were required to obtain the sanction of the representatives of the people before declaring war, tjie chances of war would be considerably diminished, and that as far as possible the power of -declaring war should be suppressed in all constitutions."

Mr. Marcoartu, finding the question of equal impor tance with that of arbitration which had been referred to a committee, proposed its reference also. This was not

agreed to.

Mr. Teso, of Rome, supported the resolution. We are passing through a transition stage. The old edifice has not yet gone to pieces. It would be a great step in

advance, if only the representatives of the people had the power to declare war. In France and Switzerland this was now true. Parliaments must do more than hold the

purse strings. They had sometimes been asked for credits after a war had been declared by the executive

power.

After remarks by Mr. Guebin and Mr. Pardoux, the former pro, the latter con, Dr. Darby's second resolution was passed by a vote of 36 to 21.

Mr. George Gillett, of London, then introduced the third resolution in the English series on

War Loans.

In support of the following resolution he gave a

r?sum? of a carefully prepared paper :

"This Congress records its strong disapprobation of the system of negotiating loans for the purpose of

enabling one nation to slaughter the people of another." The resolution was passed without discussion by a

large majority. A resolution of Mr. Milchovski, which had been

overlooked, and which had reference to the subject of

European Federation, was called up and passed unani

mously without discussion : " That the Congress, in order to render European Fed

eration possible, invites the Peace Societies to add to the peace propaganda that of political morality."

Dr. Trueblood then presented the report of the com

mittee appointed to study the subject of the Organization of Future Congresses.

He stated that the committee were unanimous in their

report. The resolutions offered by the Committee were as follows :

I. The Congress taking into consideration the proposals of Mr. H. La Fontaine, of Brussels, on behalf of the

Belgian Society, expresses its opinion that in the future the division of labor should be recognized in the Con gress ; that at its opening meeting it should appoint committees of competent and suitable members to study the various questions which shall come before the Con gress, and each committee shall report the results of it to the Congress.

II. The Congress, taking into consideration the proposi tions of Mr. Gu?bin, of the Paris Committee of the Inter national League of Peace and Liberty, expresses the wish that in future the following course shall be adopted :

1. Every person sent as a delegate by the Peace Soci eties shall have the right to speak and to vote in the Congress.

2. Only delegates so sent shall take part in voting on the resolutions relating to the subjects submitted by the Bureau of the Congress and placed by it on the pro gram.

3. The number of delegates appointed by the Peace Societies existing in the place where the Congress is held shall in no case be greater than half the whole number of

delegates appointed by the various Societies. 4. All members of the Congress, who have not been

sent as delegates by Peace Societies, shall have the right to speak but not to vote.

The report was adopted unanimously and the session closed at 6.15 p. m.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25.

Through the kindness of those who had prepared for the

coming of the Congress, an excursion to Lake Lucerne was given to the members on Thursday. A special train

conveying nearly three hundred persons left Berne at seven o'clock in the morning. A special boat waited at Lucerne and took the excursionists a grand tour of the

lake, during which they were shown the principal points



AMERICAN ADVOCATE OF PEACE. m

of interest, especially those connected with the story of William Tell. A heavy rain came on before the trip was

over, and cast quite a "damper" over the pleasure of

the day. At the Br?nig Railway Station a banquet was

given the guests before the return to Berne.

FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26.

When the Congress reassembled on Friday morning, the Baroness von Suttner, supported by Mr. L?wenthal and Mr.

Eliescu, entered a protest against the manner in which certain journals of Berlin and Vienna had misrepresented the sittings of the Congress, as "stormy" and "dis

orderly." A telegram was ordered sent to these journals correcting the false impression given.

The next subject taken up was the question of the place of the next Peace Congress. Dr. Trueblood, on behalf

of the Peace Societies of America, extented a cordial in vitation to the Congress to hold its next annual meeting at Chicago during the time of the Exposition. He also

presented a warm invitation from Judge C. C. Bonney, of

Chicago, asking the members of the Congress to be pre sent and participate in an International Peace and Arbi tration Congress, to be held under the auspices of the

World's Congress Auxiliary of the Columbian Exposition. Mrs. Lockwood joined in the invitation to the Congress

to go to Chicago. Mr. Hodgson Pratt, by a letter to Mr. Moscheles,

urged the Congress to go to Chicago. The question was raised as to whether a Congress, or a series of national

conferences, should not also be held in Europe next year to

keep up the continuity of the work there. The European members strongly favor this plan. On motion of Mr.

Passy the Congress accepted by acclamation the invitation to go to Chicago. The matter of a series of national con ferences in Europe was left to the Bureau, with the under

standing that the Congress was in favor of them. Dr. Trueblood also informed the Congress that a resolution of Hon. F. E. White had passed the U. S. House of Rep resentatives just before its adjournment, instructing the President to call the Peace and Arbitration Congress at

Chicago "in a special manner." If, as was hoped, the

Senate should concur when Congress reassembled in the

autumn, there would be ample time for the President to

send out a " special invitation

" for this Congress, in ad

dition to the one already sent ou-t through the World's

Congress Auxiliary. These two congresses will be differ

ent, the World's Peace Congress preferring to preserve its

own identity and hold its own annual meeting. The two

will be held, however, about the same time, and the mem

bers of the World's Peace Congress will by invitation par

ticipate in the larger Intergovernmental Congress. Mr. La Fontaine then gave the report of the Special

Committee appointed on Wednesday to study the various

propositions relating to International Arbitration.

The committee recommended that the Congress reaffirm its resolutions of former years as to :

1. The necessity of Arbitration. 2. The Conclusion of Arbitral Treaties. 0. The Procedure of Arbitration. On the question of arbitral sanctions the committee

presented a compromise report. 1. "In no case shall sanctions of arbitral decisions be

of a nature to lead to war or bloodshed, or the destruc tion of life or property."

2. "With this limitation, nations may authorize their arbitrators in advance, to provide means for securing the enforcement of their decisions."

The other questions were turned over to the Bureau for further study. These had reference to the aim, the meth

od, the limits of arbitration, the number of arbitral courts, whether permanent or instituted for special cases, etc.

Dr. Darby thought the report still recognized the use

of physical force in carrying out arbitral decisions and would have to vote against it. Mr. Snape explained that the report was not open to Dr. Darby's objection.

Dr. Clark, . ., was of Dr. Darby's view. Mr. Arnaud

and Mr. Montluc replied that they had yielded nearly everything in committee and thought that the "hardest to please

" ought to be satisfied with the report.

The report of the committee was then adopted by a

nearly unanimous vote. And the Congress adjourned at 12 o'clock and 15 minutes.

AFTERNOON SESSION, AUGUST 26.

After the announcement of a f?te to be given to the Con

gress in the evening at the Enge Garden, the Congress took up the subject of a

Universal Petition in Favor of Peace.

Professor Maineri explained in introducing the ques tion, that the aim of it was to popularize the idea of peace and arbitration. He cited the most famous cases of diffi culties settled by arbitration, and referred to the enor mous waste of resources in war. "

AH the nations are pre

paring for war, because all fear it." That is why a universal petition is needed. We must ascertain the voice of the people. A committee of eminent men, supported

by a number of distinguished women, must be selected from the nations, to manage the petition. Madame Thoumaian plead with the friends of peace in

behalf of the universal petition. Mr. Moneta said we must show a certain class of

people that we are not fanatics. The universal petition is the lever by which we can move the world. We must

go to the people, descend to the level of the very hum blest.

After some modifications suggested b}^ Dr. Kolben, the

proposition for a universal petition in favor of peace was adopted unanimously. The general heading of the




petition is to be prepared by the International Peace

Bureau, and the special headings for the different nations

by the societies in those nations. When these petitions have been circulated and signed they are to be forwarded to the Bureau, which will make such use of them, in ap

proaching governments, as may seem wisest.

The question of Nationality

was next introduced. Five propositions had been put on the program, prepared by different societies.

1. "What are the essential bases on which the idea of nationality rests?"

2. "What should be the relations between the

general conception of humanity and that of nationality ? "

3. A proposition looking toward a better understand ing of the notion of " love of country."

4. A proposition aiming to secure a reduction to its proper limits of the cult of national sentiment.

5. A proposition having in view the Establishment of the rights of certain nations deprived in various ways of those rights.

The Business Committee, having examined all these

propositions and seeing that they were likely to give rise to unpleasant feelings in the Congress, moved to refer them all for study to the International Bureau. Mr. Lewakovski, a Polish member of the Austrian

Parliament, asked for the floor on the motion to refer, and made an exciting address whici} was often applauded, but which by many was not considered in order in the

Congress. He spoke in behalf of twenty-two millions of Poles who had no voice as a nation, because of the

wrongs which they had suffered. The principles of this

Congress would lead to a righting of such wrongs. Mr. Passy then went upon the rostrum, amid great

cheering. He begged the Congress not to go forward on this " burning soil," not to try to solve these litigious questions. Peace congresses are tribunes, not tribunals.

We must not compromise our cause ; must seek only to

create that sense of justice which will ultimately bring the solution of all these questions of injustice and wrong.

We must not arouse the spirit of war in our peace deliberations.

Mr. MosCheles said that these questions ought to be

carefully studied, but that for humanity's sake we ought to hasten slowly.

The proposition to refer was then adopted nearly unanimously.

Neutralization

of isthmuses, etc., was then introduced by Mr. Mar

coartu, of Spain. " Isthmuses and straits used for commercial purposes

ought to be free, and their neutrality ought to be guaranteed by all maritime powers."

Dr. Clark asked in what manner the observance of this neutrality could be enforced, and Mr. Marcoartu

replied, "In the same manner as that of the Suez

Canal." The resolution was then adopted unanimously and the session closed at 6 o'clock.

SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 27.

The last session of the Congress was opened by Mr. Ruchonnet at nine o'clock on Saturday morning.

One proposition left over from the preceding day was introduced by Mr. Mazzoleni, of Italy. It had its

origin in the diplomatic incident of the last year between the United States and Italy. This affair had terminated in a peaceful way, but the question of international law involved was not easy to settle. His society had occupied itself with the question from the beginning. The propo sition submitted was called for by a great juridical necessity. The following resolution was then unani

mously adopted : " The Congress affirms the necessity of supplying the

defect which exists in the legislation of different States, in respect to the protection of the rights guaranteed to foreigners by treaty. It expresses its lively satisfaction with the declaration made on this subject by President Harrison in his message of Dec. 9, 1891, to the Congress of the United States of America.

" It .hopes that the American Congress will adopt the proposal of Senator Dolph, and embody it as soon as practicable in its legislation, so that the public laws may be harmonized with the supreme interests of justice and international concord. The Congress charges its Bureau to bring this resolution under the notice of the Great Powers interested, and also to communicate it officially to the members of the Interparliamentary Conference next week."

The Congress then entered upon the discussion of the

question of Propaganda.

Mr. Heyder, of Metz, announced the adherence of a

large society of miners. Mr. Franz Wirth said that the people must be familiar

ized with the idea of peace and then say what they thought to governments. He submitted a proposition instructing the Bureau to study the ways and means of

making a great propaganda in all countries. Madame Martin spoke of the influence of the press.

It must be gained. An international association of jour nalists ought to be formed with a few women amongst them. Journalists should not excite the passions of the

people by violent articles. Mr. Dumas-Faucher, President of the Association

of the Young Friends of Peace, at N?mes, spoke of the work among young men. The University students from France, Germany, Austria, Roumania and Bul

garia had met during the week and drawn up a pro gram of an association of university students. This

program contemplated that students in the universities in all countries should become interested in the study and

propagation of the idea of international justice. Hith erto the work had been among grown-up men, and




when the generation dies the work has to be begun afresh. Students should not be contaminated with the prejudices which now exist. " When a young man

grows up with an idea, the idea grows up with him.,, At fifty he is free from false notions and has positive ideas on the right side. The work must be developed simultaneously among students in all countries. Mem bers of Parliament should establish lectures on Interna tional Law for the benefit of University students. Where native and foreign students meet in any town, they should

promote good fellowship among themselves.

Mr. H. Babut, of the N?mes Association, spoke ear

nestly on the same subject. The movement among Uni

versity students should at first preserve a national character. The various groups should put aside all sec

ondary questions and confine themselves simply to arbi tration. Young men in the Universities, unlike the

working classes, had often been warlike and instrumental in promoting international troubles. They must be won for peace. One of the tasks of these societies would be to reconcile the literature of humanity with the literature of country.

Mr. Heckel, of Vienna, said that he had often tried to induce his friends to form a University Peace Associa

tion, but had not succeeded. He hoped the Peace Socie ties would take steps to secure the formation of such

University Societies, and that there might soon be a Uni

versity Congress.

General Guaita spoke of the importance of peace instruction among children. He submitted to the Bu reau a resolution on the subject.

Other delightful short speeches were made by Mr.

Eliescu, Mr. Tachard who urged the ladies to convert their husbands and children, Madame Raymond Pognon, Mr.

Pardoux, Madame Gries Traut, and Mr. Vasseur who

insisted on the necessity of money as the sinews of

propaganda. This closed the many and interesting dis cussions of the Fourth Universal Peace Congress.

As members of the International Peace Bureau the fol

lowing were then appointed: Emile Arnaud, France; Frederick Bajer, Denmark ; Elie Ducommun, Switzer land ; Hodgson Pratt, England ; Benjamin F. Trueblood,

United States ; Nicolas Fleva, Roumania ; A. Gobat, Switzerland ; Henri La Fontaine, Belgium ; Mrs. Belva

Lockwood, United States ; W. Marcusen, Switzerland ;

Angelo Mazzoleni, Italy ; Frederic Passy, France ;

Adolphe Richter, Germany ; Baroness von Suttner, Austria ; Franz Wirth, Germany. Each member of the Bureau was authorized, for the coming year, to send a

substitute to the meetings of the Bureau in case he could not be present personally.

Among the propositions and resolutions submitted but not considered for lack of time and which the President announced would be put into the hands of the Bureau,

was the following one introduced by Dr. Darby and seconded by Dr. Trueblood :

' ' Inasmuch as the religious sentiment is universal and dominates human life and activity to such a large extent, and the principles of truth, justice, humanity and brotherhood are essential elements of religion, and these are wholly on the side of peace ;

" The Congress appeals to all religious teachers and

organizations, and especially to the Christian Church, whose work of Propagandism is pursued by means of the 6

Gospel of Peace/ to cooperate in the great work of liberating humanity from the curse of war, and all the evils associated with it, and in spreading the Divine principles of Peace."

The President, who had presided with great ability and fairness and who had done so much, though not

strong in health, to make the meetings a success, then closed the Congress in a speech of such tact, beauty and

hopefulness that the feelings of all were united together in the greatest harmony, and all departed newly inspired for the great work before them and full of hope and

courage.

Dr. Clark, M. P., moving a vote of thanks to Mr.

Ruchonnet, said that though he had attended public gath erings in many countries he never had known one pre sided over with more ability and fairness than this.

The Congress closed with cries of " Vive Ruchonnet! Vive la Suisse ! Vive la Paix ! "

AMONG THE PAPERS.

THE PEACE CONGRESS AND THE FAIR. The International Peace Congress at Berne the last week

in August accepted by acclamation the invitation to hold the next session of the congress in this city next year in connection with the World's Fair. This will be only one of a number of congresses that will be held in this city next year, but it will not be the least interesting and im portant.

The International Peace Congress has done a great work in popularizing through press and platform the great prin ciple of international arbitration as a preventive of war. The resolutions adopted on this subject at the annual meet ing this year are as follows :

" 1. That in no case shall the decisions pronounced by arbitration courts be enforced by measures of a warlike character, or such as might be calculated to lead to war.

u 2. That nations can, without sacrificing their indepen dence, leave the enforcement of the decisions of arbitra tion courts to arbitrators.

"3. That the permanent International Peace Bureau shall lay full and conclusive reports on the question of arbitration courts before the next congress.

u 4. That the Interparliamentary Conference be re quested to influence the insertion of arbitration clauses in all international treaties."

The growth of the principle of international arbitration has been greatly extended by the practical adoption of it



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