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obtain it。
〃They pretend to be anxious to 'save souls；' and especially to
love Poland and Ireland； but they have for years used those
countries as mere pawns in their game with Russia and Great
Britain； and would sell every Catholic soul they contain to the
Greek and English churches if they could thereby secure the
active aid of those two governments against Italy。 They have
obliged the Italian youth to choose between patriotism and
Christianity； and the result is that the best of these have
become atheists。 Their whole policy is based on stirring up
hatred and promoting conflicts from which they hope to draw
worldly advantage。
〃In view of all this； one stands amazed at the cool statements of
the Vatican letter。〃
These were the words of an eminent Roman Catholic representative
of a Roman Catholic power； and to them I have nothing to add。
In looking back calmly over the proceedings of the conference； I
feel absolutely convinced that it has accomplished a great work
for the world。
The mere assembling of such a body for such a purpose was a
distinct gain； but vastly more important is the positive outcome
of its labors。
First of these is the plan of arbitration。 It provides a court
definitely constituted； a place of meeting easily accessible； a
council for summoning it always in session； guarantees for
perfect independence； and a suitable procedure。
Closely connected with this is the provision for 〃international
commissions of inquiry；〃 which cannot fail to do much in clearing
up issues likely to lead to war between nations。 Thus we may
hope； when there is danger of war； for something better than that
which the world has hitherto heardthe clamor of interested
parties and the shrieks of sensation newspapers。 The natural
result will be； as in the Venezuelan difficulty between the
United States and Great Britain； that when a commission of this
sort has been set at work to ascertain the facts； the howling of
partizans and screaming of sensation…mongers will cease； and the
finding of the commission be calmly awaited。
So； too； the plans adopted for mediation can hardly fail to aid
in keeping off war。 The plans for 〃special mediation〃 and
〃seconding powers；〃 which emanated entirely from the American
delegation； and which were adopted unanimously by the great
committee and by the conference； seem likely to prove in some
cases an effective means of preventing hostilities； and even of
arresting them after they have begun。 Had it been in operation
during our recent war with Spain； it would probably have closed
it immediately after the loss of Cervera's fleet； and would have
saved many lives and much treasure。
Secondly； the extension of the Geneva rules； hitherto adopted for
war on land； to war also on the sea is a distinct gain in the
cause of mercy。
Thirdly； the amelioration and more careful definition of the laws
of war must aid powerfully in that evolution of mercy and right
reason which has been going on for hundreds of years； and
especially since the great work of Grotius。
In addition to these gains may well be mentioned the
declarations； expressions of opinion； and utterance of wishes for
continued study and persevering effort to make the
instrumentalities of war less cruel and destructive。
It has been said not infrequently that the conference missed a
great opportunity when it made the resort to arbitration
voluntary and not obligatory。 Such an objection can come only
from those who have never duly considered the problem concerned。
Obligatory arbitration between states is indeed possible in
various petty matters； but in many great matters absolutely
impossible。 While a few nations were willing to accept it in
regard to these minor matters；as； for example； postal or
monetary difficulties and the like；not a single power was
willing to bind itself by a hard…and…fast rule to submit all
questions to itand least of all the United States。
The reason is very simple： to do so would be to increase the
chances of war and to enlarge standing armies throughout the
world。 Obligatory arbitration on all questions would enable any
power； at any moment； to bring before the tribunal any other
power against which it has； or thinks it has； a grievance。 Greece
might thus summon Turkey； France might summon Germany； the
Papacy； Italy； England； Russia； China； Japan； Spain； the United
States； regarding matters in which the deepest of human
feelingsquestions of religion； questions of race； questions
even of national existenceare concerned。 To enforce the
decisions of a tribunal in such cases would require armies
compared to which those of the present day are a mere bagatelle；
and plunge the world into a sea of troubles compared to which
those now existing are as nothing。 What has been done is to
provide a way； always ready and easily accessible； by which
nations can settle most of their difficulties with each other。
Hitherto； securing a court of arbitration has involved first the
education of public opinion in two nations； next； the action of
two national legislatures； then the making of a treaty； then the
careful selection of judges on both sides； then delays by the
jurists thus chosen in disposing of engagements and duties to
which they are already pledged…all these matters requiring much
labor and long time； and this just when speedy action is most
necessary to arrest the development of international anger。 Under
the system of arbitration now presented； the court can be brought
into session at short noticeeasily； as regards most nations；
within a few weeks； at the farthest。 When to these advantages are
added the provisions for delaying war and for improving the laws
of war； the calm judgment of mankind will； I fully believe；
decide that the conference has done a work of value to the world。
There is also another gainincidental； but of real and permanent
value； and this is the inevitable development of the Law of
Nations by the decisions of such a court of arbitration composed
of the most eminent jurists from all countries。 Thus far it has
been evolved from the writings of scholars often conflicting；
from the decisions of national courts biased by local patriotism；
from the practices of various powers； on land and sea； more in
obedience to their interests than to their sense of justice； but
now we may hope for the growth of a great body of international
law under the best conditions possible； and ever more