INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 136, 9 June 1911, Page 8

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.

■ PIONEERING UNIVERSAL PEACE. THE PROPOSED ANGLO-AMERI-CAN TREATY. A. PHALANX OF PEACE ARGUMENTS CHORAL HALL MEETING. A fairly well attended meeting was held in the Choral Hall last night with the object of giving expression, so far as the people of Auckland are concerned, to the hope that the proposed AngloAmerrean Arbitration Treaty will become an accomplished fact. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) presided, while on the platform were the Yen. Archdeacon Calder, the Revs. J. M. Simpson, 8.A., H. Knowles rtempton, J. Olphert, G. B. Monro, E. O. Perry, W. Ready, Mr. H. Go-instead, Mr. W. A. Prickibt (American Consul), Prof. W. T. Mills, of Milwaukee, U.S.A., Messrs. A. M. Myers and C. H. Poole, M.P.'s, Messrs. J. E. Taylor (President of the Peace Society), J. M. Aldis, T. Walsh, and W. Brakerrnig (hon. secretary of the joint committee responsible for the meeting). An apology for absence was received from Bishop Cleary. The Rev. S. Chitty presided at the organ. PEACE AND DRY POWDER. "I don't suppose you could find any subject that is of greater importance, especially to our Dominion, than this treaty, which is under the consideration of the two high contracting parties," began the Mayor, who went on to point out that neither England nor America desired territorial aggrandisement, and neither desired to enrich itself at the expense of any other nation. Therefore, it was practically impossible that any great international question could arise between those two great nations which could not be settled by arbitration. It might lead ultimately to a peaceful understanding between those two nations as to the control of the Pacific; it might lead to those two great nations standing shoulder to shoulder on the question of the yellow peril. But he would like to utter a word of warning. Desirable as peace was, let them not imagine that because England and America might sign the treaty, war would disappear. Other nations, powerful, unscrupulous, and certainly aggressive, would take an entirely different view respecting the elimination of war. The age of universal arbitration would not arrive with the signing of this treaty, and it behoved us therefore, while working for universal peace to be prepared at all costs and to keep our powder dry against emergencies. But that treaty would be a magnificent beginning towards the fulfilment of our hearts' deBire. "The age of universal arbitration is certainly coming, and we must do our share to bring it about," concluded Mr. Parr amid applause. WITHIN MEASURABLE DISTANCE. Archdeacon Calder then moved the following resolution:—"That this meeting of Auckland citizens desires to express its profound thankfulness for the cordial reception given to President Taft's overtures, made to Great Britain through Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary, for the peaceful settlement of questions affecting the two nations, suggesting •that a treaty he made between Great Britain and the United States of America, by which every issue which cannot be settled by simple negotiation shall be submitted to arbitration; and appeals to the citizens of Auckland and all interested in the welfare of our humanity, to encourage and strengthen the hands of those who are endeavouring to bring the proposals to a successful issue." In moving the resolution Archdeacon Calder pointed out that President Taft last year, when the matter was mooted, expressed the opinion that all disputes of honour could be left by men of honour to arbitration. That was all right, but one never knew when your ship was <roing ahead, or what sort of a wake was coming along astern. Was it possible to "scotch" what had been growing for oveT 500 years? The family quarrels of the fourteenth century developed into the tribal ones of the fifteenth century, and those again into the state quarrels of the sixteenth century, with its fanatical desire to promote religious freedom; while in the following century came the high state quarrels with the lust for acquiring territory. The speaker then quoted humorous instances in which failure had attended the hopes of the idealist, but proceeded to express the belief that the ideal of peace was bound sooner or later to see fruition. He believed that with the unfailing help of religion, and with the object lessons of history, the cessation of hostilities between the nations and the substitution of arbitration were within measurable distance. (Applause.) THE VOICE OF DEMOCRACY. The Rev. J. M. Simpson said they should all keep the ideal of universal arbitration before them. It was significant that the great British Empire should be seeking to help on this question of arbitration. If there could be satisfactory arbitration in industry and in other affairs of life, why not in national quarrels? Duels had been abolished. Slowly, but ■urely a great democratic movement was going on all over the world—the workers of the world were realising that enormous millions spent in war would be much better spent in clothing the destitute, providing food for the hungry, and in promoting all the many movements for social betterment and human happiness. ;(Applause.) NATIONAL CONSCIENCE. Mr. W. A. Prickitt (American Consul) quoted the proverb "In time of peace prepare for war." Having been a member of the Union Army for four years during the American Civil War, he himself had witnessed so many horrors in that great conflict that he would say, "Do not omit, while preparing for war, to do everything possible to promote peace and make it everlasting." (Applause.) He believed the movement for promoting universal peace was making great progress, evidenced in the fact of two of the world's greatest nations approaching one another towards the settlement of all matters of difference they could not agree upon by arbitration. "The world was progressing in that respect, and it was becoming more and more apparent that nations had consciences as well as individuals. (Applause.) All over the world Governments were being brought nearer the people, and with the growth of popular government and the increasing power of the masses, there would surely come a time when war, in which the poor man bleeds and for which he pays, must give place to peace. (Applause.) The profit and glory of war were only for the few. (Applause.) lAnd the world was growing wiser in its old a so. Three great movements were evident today—the world's intellectual f egress; the world's growth towards

popular government; and the world'a recognition of the doctrine of human brotherhood. (Applause.} Although the distrust of the nations -was against an agreement to disarm, there was no reason why an agreement not to Kmrease armaments should not be feasible enough. Let them all hope that the Governments of the United States and of Great Britain would give the movement for universal peace a great impetus by bringing this treaty into practical effect. (Applause.) LABOUR'S PLATFORM. Mr. T. Walsh explained that a plank in the Labour party's platform was international arbitration, and any movement or anyone working to that end would have the entire support of the Labour party. (Applause.) THE PROFITS OF INDUSTRY V. WAR. At the invitation of the chairman, Professor Mills, who was an (American representative at the recent Peace Conference in London, addressed the meeting, •which greeted him with loud applause. Although a citizen of the United States he was a citizen of a yet wider nation —the world, prefaced the professor. He did not believe it was possible for any man to love one country and hate another if he -were capable of appreciating the real meaning of patriotic love. He was inclined to think that President Taft may have got his inspiration of international arbitration fwrai the contemplation of the constituent elements of his own country. In the United States there were millions of representatives of almost every country in Europe living amicably together. All nations had settled there, with never a word about war. If peace could be so well maintained on one side of the Atlantic, why not on the other? (Applause.) As far as the workers were concerned, they bad nothing to lose and everything to win by the abolition of war. They bore the burdens and paid the bills. He hoped the time would come when there would be no great private investors who would be served by war. When be "was in New York some time ago a friend had said to him: "What is there to hinder a British fleet from steaming into New York harbour and blowing up the city?" "Nothing," he replied. ''Only that the fellows that owned the British flaet own New York." (Laughter and applause.) The time had come when international investments were so world-wide that for the investor to attempt to make money ■by selling war bonds would be robbing himself of the income he obtained from industrial war. (Applause.) And industrial investments were better paying ones than military investments. The real sound asset of the future would not lie in the promotion of war, but in the financing and advancing of industry— not in destroying wealbh and life, but by creating wealth and life. (Loud applause.) WHERE THE KAISER COMES IN. The Chairman observed, upon Professsor Mills resuming his seat, that if everyone in the United States were like the professor, it would not be long before universal peace arrived. He could only wish the Kaiser could be included. "If you only just let mc have half a minute I will put the Kaiser in, too," replied the professor, amid applause and laughter, and proceeded to express the opinion that the United States and Great Britain would never negotiate the treaty in a thousand years were it not for the mutual and tacit consent on the part of the German Minister. "I believe," he declared, "that the one man is selling war material to the German and to t/he British war-builders —some financial power that helps and encourages each country to gird up for a fight with the other, and profits out of both fighters. Now I have put the Kaiser into it." (Laughter and applause.) AN IMMENSE PEACE LEVER. Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., expressed the opinion that the originators of that meeting were fully justified in their action, and hoped that' it would be but a forerunner of others throughout the Dominion. In future the populace would certainly play a more prominent part in the question of peace and war. Three hundred years ago King Henry of France attempted to bring about the federation of the States of Europe with a court to which all questions of international disputes should be referred, but failed. That was really the ddea of universal peace in the germ. Although the German Chancellor of the Exchequer gave the answer he did when the United States Ministry approached him with the suggestion of international arbitration, yet the spirit of the age showed steady progress towards this goal. A Races Conference, with the support of no less than fifty of the world's nations, was to be held shortly in London —a great step towards the movement of universal brotherhood. (Applause.) If all goes well with the treaty, it would be an immense lever towards the peace of the whole world. (Loud applause.) PEACE, BUT PREPAREDNESS. Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., pointed out that the development of the British Nation provided food for thought. When its growth was (.considered, one could understand how applicable was Mark Twain's proverb, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," to the British nation. (Laughter.) It was now for the two great Anglo-Saxon nations to set the world a noble example. Slowly but surely the time was coming when reason, calm deliberation, arbitration, and negotiation would give any resort to •violence no justification whatever. (Applause.) Patriotism that was prepared to sbed the other fellow's blood was the sort of thing that had been responsible for the slaughter of millions of soldiers who were in no way responsible for the quarrels of States and royalties. (Applause.) But as Nature provided her creatures for defensive purposes, so was it our duty to prepare to defend our hearths and homes. To throw away our arms while our neighbours were all bristling with warlike preparations would be but' a sorry argument for peace when the enemy knocked at our doors. (Applause.) BLOOD BROTHERS. Mr. M. Aldis, as representative of the Auckland branch of the International Arbitration and Peace Association, expressed the opinion that the people of the Dominion should not be content with passive acquiescence to such a splendid and far-reaching measure, but should express their cordial approval. We owed much to our cousins of America, for it was without doubt greatly due to the lessons learned by British statesmen from the American War of Independence that we in the colonies had the freedom and selfgoverning institutions that we possessed to-day. Ever since the peace of 1814, between the United States and England, there had been no fortifications between the frontiers of the United States and Canada which of itself spoke of the relationship and feeling of good faith \ war between the United States and England would be a fratricidal war To all intents and purposes we were one nation and the proposed treaty recognised that J fact. If it went no further, the treaty

would be a great and epoch making meaI sure, and a grand example for other nations to follow. (Applause.) Upon the resolution being put by the j Mayor to the meeting, tit was carried unanimously amid awlamation, and it ■was further resolved that a copy be forI 'warded to Sir Edward Grey, the British Minister for Foreign Affairs. Upon the motion of the Rev. Knowle3 Kempton, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor, the various speakers, and to Mr. Grant and the sailors , who had decorated the hall for the occaI sion. "It could not be said that the hall was one of .barbaric splendour, but it was at [ least refreshing to see it decorated with flags hung right way up," remarked Mr. iKnowles Kempton amid laughter. It | wa3 good also to see the hearty unanimity of the meeting in favour of a movement which, he believed, must before the world had grown much older make so irrational and unchristian an act as war impossible. (Applause.)