ARBITRATION IS BY NO MEANS NEW AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO WAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 8

ARBITRATION IS BY NO MEANS NEW AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO WAR.

i (Written for the “ Star.") ! The general movement towards arbitration at the present day is by no means a new development in history. The use of such methods dates back to the ancient world, when in the VI.IV. century there was a movement in Greece towards the settlement of interstatal disputes, not by war, but by the peaceful method of international arbitration. Indeed, arbitration was highly developed in Greece at this period, some cases being settled by compromise, others as a result cf special treaty. Neutral states were called in to act as arbitrators. It can scarcely be questioned that the traditions which tell of the arbitrations between Andros and Clialcis and between Mytilene and Athens in the VII. century have sound historical foundation. By the middle of the fifth century the Greeks had advanced so far as to consent to arbitration before a deadlock was reached, ar.d on some occasions they bound themselves by treaty to deal in this way with any disputes which should arise. Prior to the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians appealed again and again to the coin promise clause in the Thirtv Years’ Peace. Yet, in spite of their fa.lure on this occasion, ard contrary to the expectations that the example; of so disastrous a war ujotild quench j any further attempts at arbitrational! methods, the institution still survived, j and “ we find arbitration clauses were! inserted in the Year’s Truce of 423, in i the Peace of Nicias (421) and in the Alliarce of 418 between Sparta and | Argos.’ (Greek International Arbi-! tration, Oxford, 1915.) It seems to be agreed that the fourth i century was a period “in which the employment of arbitration was gradu-I ally spreading over the entire Greek \V orld. and even the smaller states weie becoming more familiarised with this mode of putting an end to disputes with their neighbours.’’ —8.E.3.