Proceedings of [1st]-6th National Conference, American Society for Judicial Settlement of International Disputes. 1910-16 (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913. Excerpt: ... While this healthful advance in civilization and this undoubted public sentiment supporting it mark the new relations between individuals, there has been little if any progress in the peaceful, lawful and orderly settlement of international disputes, involving communities. The barbarous, murderous and uncertain methods of the ancient and the medieval periods still prevail. The alarms of war agitate a world. The columns of our daily papers are filled with cables and telegrams announcing the rage of nations and the imminence of their flying at each other's throats. The battle blood which is the inheritance of the ages is aflame for fight. Only one power keeps the nations of Europe from instantly declaring war. The bankers and business men have become the arbiters between nations. In modern conflicts, so vast and expensive are the preparations for and operations of war that the longest purse wins. Neither Germany, nor France, nor Austria, nor Italy, nor Russia, nor Spain can hurl their armies at each other and equip their navies for fight without the consent of the great bankers of the world. The only two nations which may be said to be free from this thralldom, because of their wealth, their commerce and credit are the United States and Great Britain. War, said Erasmus, is the malady of princes. He might have added, the danger of Republics. The spirit of war--largely the inheritance of the dynastic ambitions of royal houses--is the chief incentive to the employment of the best inventive genius for engines of destruction. Improvements in naval architecture are first for war and next for commerce. If armor is made which will resist a new shell, there follows the gun that will fire the shot which will pierce the armor. If a magazine is constructed which ...