ARBITRATION INSTEAD OF WAR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 888, 8 March 1889, Page 31

ARBITRATION INSTEAD OF WAR.

Mr William Jones, formerly secretary of the Peace Society, delivered a lecture at St John’s schoolroom, Willis-street, last night week on “Personal Experiences iu War Time.” The chair was taken by his Excellency the Governor, aud there was a large attendance, the schoolroom being packed. Mr Jones, having been introduced by the Governor, began by referring to an article in the New Zealand Times of that morniDg, in which, he said, he was “very courteously invited by its able editor to present some practical solutions of the difficulties of carrying out arbitration as a subst tate for war.” To that, he answered it was not his mission. Mr Jone.s then proceeded to reply to the article at some length. He pointed out that the object of the Peace party was simply to form in every civilized land aa enlightened public opinion on the question of peace and war, and once they could convince people that war was never to their advantage, but always to their loss, it would not be long before the end was seen of these tremendous and costly systems of war. He assured “ his good friend the editor ” that serious as were the difficulties of introducing arbitration and oat'rying it out, they were, to use an historical phrase, a mere flea-bite compared to the difficulties of existing military systems. He pointed, in support of this, to the ever increasing indebtedness of European nations, and the increase of taxation which fell so heavily on labour. He also quoted in support of arbitration the names of President Grant, Count Tolstoi, M. Simon, Mr Ccbden, and others, and from a letter from Mr John Bright in favour of it; aud referred to the fact that over 200 members of the House of Commons signed a petition for an arbitration treaty with America. If that treaty was ever consummated, as he believed it would be, the other nations of the world would soon follow the example. Having referred to the evils arising from militarism, he said these were the problems to which men like the editor of the Times should turn their attention j and if they could solve them there were many eminent public men in England who would load them with Honours. Mr Jones then proceeded to sketch his experiences during the Franoo-Prussian war, drawing a vivid and powerful picture of the terrible condition of the people in Metz. He referred also to the misery in Russia under militarism, where ten years ago (the latest available statistics) 10s 4d per head was spent for military p>’ r . poses and I|d on education. Ste. ce the battle of Waterloo, he said 60 international disputes had been settled by arbitration — notably that in coang-ction with the Alabama ; and he contrasted the condition of America with that of Ifrance and Germany, since Alsace and Lorraine were taken from France. In conclusion he urged that there must be some other way of settling these disputes ; aud it Wft.a teeir duty as Christians to endeavour to. get it carried out. Mr Jones, wlftq had been frequently applauded, concluded amidst prolonged applause. His Excellency said they were, all much 1 indebted to Mr Jones, for his able and eloquent addins. Mr Jones had put his case before t.hem in a manner which, so far as must reach their reason and sentiment, Ha confessed, for his pare that no One oould possibly go beyond himself in the desire that international disputes should be settled by reason rather than by arms.. (Applause.) It might be asked how he* who had been 20 years an active membpif of tho War Office, and had toy test, seven years been engagefi in, advising the Australasian colqpteh °h defences, could bold t'acqc views.. But they were , perfectly' fid held. He did not j altogether- agree with Mr Jones, but be- , lieved in, t;h« Latin proverb, “Si vis pacem fiSVh feaUum.’' If you desire peace you must be ready for war. The fact cited by Mr Jones —that sixty disputes had. been settled by arbitration—went te, show that his views were, to a certain degree, sound ; but at the same tinje, tskteg the passions of men as they were* find the proclivities of nations, you Gould not now do without arms, j armtesdn'ts, fortifications and armies. (Ap- | plause.) He was sorry for it. As Mr J,ojies had said, war was a bloody gam.q, and anyone who had seen it as that, gentleman had could not but lament effects, However,he would not detaiq, tfiem longer than to say that since ho find been among them he had felt .it duty to recommend preparations [ against descent on them by a naval power—• a desoent he could show them hy chapter and vorse was intended ten years ago by a power then likely to be hcjs'fite. They were now well right abte to. meet that descent, and ho asked tfipia, whether it was not better to incur that expenditure, than to. ask an energy to. withhold and eater into reasonable terms i At the same he. was not opposing Mr J.ppee’ Ytew-. H& only said that when arbijbrfiiipp, faited you must be able to say to ' your enemy, “ I defy you !. * (Gheara )/ Mr Waterhouse, M.L.C., moved » hearty vote of thanks to the Governor §os taking the chair.

Mr Jones, ip seconding the motion, said he hardly. Qopphssed with what his Excelteney tete 1 he believed that policy was a fsjloko. His Excellency, returning thanks (rhe motion having been carried), said Mr Jones’ remarks obliged lii;m to say one word. Eighteen hundred and eighty-eight years had passed since nngete appeared to the shepherds with “ Peace on earth, good will toward men,” and to-day they found the nations, of the world armed to the teeth in a manner which mankind had never seen before.. Until the millennium, occurred there Would be disputes among men ; you could not eradicate human passions. He awaited the millennium to see arbitration universally established. At the same time let arbitration be always promoted ; let no stone be unturned in the effort to secure Eut when arbitration failed yon must resort to arm 3. (Cheers.) On the motion of Mr J. R. Blair a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Jones for his lecture. A number of persons subsequently became members of the Peace Society.