176 A Century of Science 



is confessedly provisional and tentative, and upon 

 renewal can be modified in such wise as may seem 

 desirable. Other human institutions have been 

 moulded by experience, and so, doubtless, it will 

 be with international courts of arbitration. 



The working of the tribunals created by the pre 

 sent treaty will be carefully watched by other na 

 tions than the two parties directly concerned, and 

 should it achieve any notable success it will furnish 

 a precedent likely to be imitated. The removal of 

 any source of irritation at all comparable to the 

 Alabama Claims would be, of course, a success of 

 the first magnitude ; great good, with far-reaching 

 consequences, might be wrought by a much smaller 

 one. Probably few readers are aware of the ex 

 tent to which the arbitration at Geneva in 1872 

 has already served as a precedent for the peaceful 

 solution of international difficulties. 1 Already the 



1 The following list of instances within a period of twelve years 

 is cited from an able article by Professor Pasquale Fiore, of the 

 University of Naples, in the International Journal of Ethics, Octo 

 ber, 1896 : 



Arbitration by the Emperor of Austria between Great Britain 

 and Nicaragua, 1881. 



A mixed commission to arbitrate between France and Chili, 1882. 



Arbitration by the President of the French Republic between 

 the Netherlands and the Republic of San Domingo, 1882. 



Arbitration by Pope Leo XIII. between Germany and Spain ; 

 affair of the Caroline Islands, 1885. 



