4io POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



realized Cruce's ideal, and given to the world its first permanent court 

 for the settlement of international disputes. The last century is in 

 future ages to remain famous as having given birth to this high court 

 of humanity. The conference opened upon the birthday of the Em- 

 peror, May 18th, 1899. The day may yet become one of the world's 

 holidays in the coming day of peace, as that upon which humanity 

 took one of its longest and highest steps in its history, onward and up- 

 ward. As Ambassador White says, ' The Conference marks the first 

 stage in the abolition of the scourge of war.' Such an achievement 

 was scarcely expected, even by the most sanguine. Its accomplishment 

 surprised most of the members of the conference themselves; but so 

 deeply and generally had they been appalled by the ravages of war, and 

 its enormous cost, by its inevitable progeny of future wars, and above all 

 by its failure to ensure lasting peace, that the idea of a world court 

 captivated the assembly, which has been pronounced the most dis- 

 tinguished that ever met. A less sweeping proposal would probably 

 not have touched their imagination and aroused their enthusiasm. The 

 prompt acceptance of the international court by public sentiment in 

 all countries was no less surprising. Every one of the powers repre- 

 sented promptly ratified the treaty, the United States Senate voting 

 unanimously — a rare event. We may justly accept this far-reaching 

 and rapid success as evidence of a deep, general and earnest desire in 

 all lands to depose war and enthrone peace through the judicial settle- 

 ment of disputes by courts. 



At last there is no excuse for war. A tribunal is now at hand to 

 judge wisely and deliver righteous judgment between nations. It has 

 made an auspicious start. A number of disputes have already been 

 settled by it. First, it settled a difference between the United States 

 and Mexico. Then President Eoosevelt, when asked to act as arbiter, 

 nobly led Britain, Germany, France, Italy, America and Venezuela to 

 it for settlement of their differences, which has just been concluded. 



Britain had recently a narrow escape from war with Bussia, arising 

 from the unfortunate incident upon the Dogger Bank, when fishing 

 boats were struck by shots from Kussian war-ships. There was intense 

 excitement. The Hague Treaty provides that when such difficulties 

 arise international commissions of inquiry be formed. This was the 

 course pursued by two governments, parties to the treaty, which happily 

 preserved the peace. 



It was under another provision of the Hague conference that the 

 President of the United States addressed his recent note to Japan and 

 Bussia suggesting a conference looking to peace, and offering his 

 services to bring it about. His success was thus made possible by the 

 Hague Treaty. The world is fast awakening to its far-reaching con- 

 sequences and to the fact that the greatest advance man has ever made 



