1919-01-28 — Page 7

THE WORLD'S FUTURE

LORD ROBERT CEOIL ON PEACE

orations.

BAFEGUARDE.

MEANING OF A FUTURE WAR.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 1919.

More

a treaty

whore, of more or less sincere perorations, shoot a fox. Among the working classes But in their hearts there are many who I believe, there is no charge more feared important step we can now take is to I am convinced, therefore, that the most are convinced that the whole thing is than that of being a blackleg; while, in deviso machinery which, in case of inter- just a bora of war-weariness and criminal Pontiment. To such from the old system the veinis laisal roprobation is the the outbreak of war, and soure at doing the national dispute, will, at the delay Lord Robert Cecil, M.P., was installed of the balance of power and groups of

ober 12th 15 Chancellor of the Allied nations watching one another with versely, in certain states of society, there for that purpose, no very elaborate in- of information to the police. Con. open discussion of the causes of quarrel. Unversity of Birmingham,

steadily increasing armaments, reinforced position 4

All which has been vacant since the death by secret treaties of insurance and rein. are actions which the law condemns but ternational machinery is required.

Such used to that would be necessary would be of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain. In the surance, is all that can be hoped for public opinion condones

be the case with smuggling, and, at a binding the signatories never to wage war course of a thoughtful address he dis- Unless they are mad they recognise that later date, bribery and corruption, and themselves or permit others to wage war,

the recurrence from time to world, at the root of which he declared time of devastating wars. was the great question of the ergatian-they hope that with our historical goodns political is regarded with indifference decide upon the dispute. It is probably|

But I suppose distant where any offoucs which is classed been held to inquire into and, if fortune we shall always be found on the or even with favour. You will even find true, at least in theory, that decisions would possible. tion of international relations.

winning side. Having expressed his thanks to the ani

some cases such as duelling, in many be difficult to obtain, for the decisions of countries at the versity for the great honour it had confer

present time where such a conference, like all other interna red upon him, Lord Robert Cecil, in It is surely enough to point out to those public opinion commands a man to com- tional proceedings, would have to be un alluding to the low of the war, said: who hold this view, that, even assuming mit an action for which the law punishes animous to be binding. But since the im Let us thank Heaven for it and in doing future wars were no worse than this one be found that public opinion is the more discussion that is to

Mim, and, in such cases, it will generally portant thing is to secure delay and open so let us not forget thral the very enmià is doubtful whether European civilisa

time to enable pleteness of our stress impose upon us tion could in relied on to withstand a powerful agency of the two. timately public opinion to act and information to a vorresponding weight of responsibility, repetition of the lust four years. Revolu no doubt, where the courte are strong and instruct it-this is not a serious objection (bar. bear.) To no nation or group of tion and anarchy have already over respected, the law will tend first to mould to the proposal. Indeed, from one point nations has ever been given such absolute whelmed Russia, and threaten to engulf public opinion and then to replace it. of view, it is an advantage, since it avoids

The Allies have in their hands Austria, and perhaps Germany power.

For this result, however, to take place any intereference with national the political future of the whole world over, it is safe to say that, terrible as this it is essential that the machinery of the sovereignty except the interposition of a Upon their devisions may depend the war has been, the next one would be law should not only be strong-that, by delay in seeking redress by force of ar Peace and happiness of unnumbered gen- far more terrible. It bas been proved itself, as German experience in Belgium That is the essential thing, and to pre The problems they will have to that in a world struggle no rules of war sufficiently shows, is not enough--but it it the treaty would require each of the

and avail face are intricate and perplexing, and

የዲያ rastrain combatants

must also be generally approved-that is, signatories to from

use their whole force, ut the rest of them all is the great ques treachery or cruelty, and it is therefore have the support of public opinion.

It economie as well as military, against any Lion of the future organisation of inter-impossible to set any limits to the devilishi, indeed, the chief merit of our inven- nation that forced on war before at com. pational relations. It is to that question results which scientific skill, directed by tion of trial by jury that it makes the ference had been held.

To that extent, that I venture to invite your attention Prussianised soldiers, might achieve.

man in the street a party to the enforce and to that extent only, international to-day;

It is

is important to remember There seems, for instance. Du reason to

ment of the law.

coercion would be necessary. that this war is no exceptional outburst doubt that aerial attack might be so

80 de

INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL

And here let me say that I attach very of untional ferocity. On the contrary, veloped that every city might be levelled it is the natural fruit of

I conclude, therefore, that in dealing great weight to the use, in this connection, false and and its inhabitants, poisoned, whilst the with individuals public opinion without of the economic weapon. For one thing, heathenish theory of statecraft steadily ingenuity of armament manufacturers may the law may be very powerful, yet that will be easier to induce the weaker mem- pursued since the days of

the Great expected to devise new and improved courts of law, even though backed by over

the League to cut off all inter- Elector invasion of Belgium was means of brganised battle-sinughter on

indefensible that tik seizure land and sea. If therefore, the League pine fores, a, una anu neraal take the field against him. For another, whelming no m. d

unless also supported course with a powerful offender than to of Silesia in the eighteenth century or of Nations is a dream, it is difficult to abeyed. If this proposition be necept-the events of this war have shown that the unexation of the Danish Duchies in avoid despair. And yet it would be folly, it should help us the nineteenth, The falsification of the to ignore the strength of the case

in laying an international boycott would be be ex

traordinarily effective. Hampered as we Es despatch in

closely who doubt whether such an organisation For, in international matters, the diffical attaching to the nodedication necessarily palled by the invented telegram ana ever unterialien. They can point ties in the way of establishing courts of attaching novelty of our nomring the Russian mobilisation at the with undeniable force to previous" his beginning of this way.

law which would command obedience are ings, aud by the consequent remon attempts, tory. They can quote, for instance, the enormo In the present condition of trances, especially in the earlier stages happily sucessful, tu fall us into neu. State papers and proclamation of trality till France and Russia had been Alexander 1 of Russia in the closing the

international feeling, it is hard to say how of the war, of centrals whose interenta Overthrown, was a conscioas initation of stages of the Napoleonic wars, which could the personnel of such courts could be reflected by them, we liave still ixen able to do a good deal by or blockade the maneuvres by which Bismark kept

searely any alteration, is printed nations now be judge were drawn from Frun guzet until he and defeated Aus odd that the only outcome of these ad remain the neutral nations; I certainly League were swept away, and it were put) article to-day, and they canations now belligerents they would clear- tions on the use of this weapon by the and kindred operations. If all restric J should

There present, of Granny hoped say the late, rulers of no doubt te obliterate their misdeeds by establishing German begemony in Europe, juet us Bismarck dazzled the conscience of mankind to the creation of the German Empire.

ולה!

גו

war

as

1

21

Holy Alliance.

are

tbose the foundation of an int system.

ly not be universally respected,

ап

NATIONAL DIRARMAMENT.

mey

deny that they ever entertained it. Even that it favoured autocratic forms of gov. practicable. It involves a very serious found du trustworthy mea nay bos

but I must frankly

say that I cannot conthe countries of the world against one the whole, almost the whole of There is little ground for saying that ceive a court. constituted of metubers offender, is would mean certain and irre- democracies are always peaceful. After drawn exclusively from pations now all, our ancestors were right in regarding neutral which would be a satisfactory in rievable ruin for that country. Napoleon as a direct product of revoluternational tribunal, Nor is that the hoped that such a menace would cool We have bought, therefore, to annihilate Lionary democracy, and it may well be only, or even the chief, difficulty. The the ardour even of a German profesor. a colleeption of national morality asked whether the Bolshevik Government, great trouble about the creation of an pernicious as it is untrue, and to set up if it had suceded, would have been more effective international court has always something better in ite place, By the peace-loving than revolutionary France been to discover a really satisfactory

It will be observed that, in the plan thus prodigious exertions which the Allies. For myself, I um not prepared to say that means of enforcing its decrees. Various outlined, nothing has been said alat ma have been enabled to make, and the fear. Holy Alliance of democracies would devices have been proposed, but ultimately tional disarment. It is, indeed, mest ful sacrifices which they have endured, really make for the peace of the world, they all come down to some form of in-

true that without disarmament there can the Germinu design has been defeated, and The main defect of the Holy Alliance as ternational armed force. I confess to the be no complete security against Inture

terly destroyed that its authors now an instrument of peace was not so much gravest doubts whether any such plan is

war, and I earnestly wish that some really! effective and our task is but huff done. We have ernment, objectionable as that Wan on inroad on national sovereignty.

LO limit the armed achieved victory, but the most glorious other grounds, as that by its nature it

Each of the nations responsible for difficult one, and I have so far to admit

forces of every State. The problem is victory would lie scarcely distinguishable became restricted to a certain group of from defeat unless we hereby lay the antius. We must build on surer founda.executing the Court's decrees would have that after giving considerable thought to foundations

ons of a lasing peste. Truly, ions than that if we are to hope to estab-

to place at its disposal the whole or sonic the subject. I have not yet come upon when we think of what this war has cost fish a better international order. Our portion of the national forces. It seerna plan for this purpose which neema

very doubtful whether any soveiergu State le is only the hour that such a peace new society of nations must not be would agree that its armies should beplan, we must trust that the autions will and practicable. Failing such a degree etablished that will, in any group, however large and important. If sions as to the meaning of modern war will inevitably aim at world put in motion, its blood and treasure gradually disarm, as and when the neces sacrifices. Let anyone who bas nu go and visit the battlefields of the Somme. Broups, and you will have the 01syouci touto enforce a decree, perhaps six..for pational armament dignanean

"A DRAUGHT OF DEADLY WINE."

Those battlefields are but a symbol of

the waste of war.

district

Africa.

of the balance of power restored under even if the decrees of such a court w another name. It is absolutely essential

go

J1

become

Until

as helping to form public opinion. But po:ed, there are many other steps that that the League of Nations should be open unenforceable they would still be of value this object, besides the big changes to every nation which can be trusted by Wealth represented

a to any scheme of international peace that: Table decrees bas no real analogy to

nations have all treaties should be rigidly observed, but by thousands of millions of pennds has its fellows to accept ex anime the prin. Court which can only make unenforce should be taken. For instance, it is vital been blown into the air, hundreds of thou ciples and basis of such a society.

my mind this condition is vital, and court of law.

to be feared that Courts, the conditions obtaining when they were would even far as to say that such as friendly us ourselves and Ame. treaties, like everything else, grow eld suude of tons of shipping have been sunk,

to be so called, without first made do not last for ever, and, when human habitations, trees without number. Juve been destroyed, the whole social and Lionately ineffective maless every civilised coercive power, will not have sufficient they change, the existence of the trenties) intely churches and historic buildings society will be incomplete and proport

Indeed, it is a matter disaation joias it

It is, ly unjust. The signaturies of the League otherwise lead directly to war. industrial life of mankind has been dis for consideration whether those who will authority to decide questions which would becomes irksome, and, in some cases, gross- heated, and there is scarcely a dist not join willingly should not be compel for instance, incredible that Germany should there-ture undertake periodical con

So, too. led to do so by coonomic or other pressure. and France would ever have submitted suitations for the purpose of reviewing in the remotest parte of China or Afr world catastrophe. And all this kase of it may well be asked what hope it there the ownership of Alsace-Lorraine to such obsolescent treaty sbligations. which is not cursing the authors of this

Society cun be

formed.

an arbitrament, or that we would have that most thorny of all subjects, the con- Heaven knows, wenth is but the smallest part of what that such

I do not underrate the allowed a dribunal of this nature to de trol of backward races, should be solved Millions of the best

a largs and increasiag W or are been killed in intile difficulties in our was, but there seen termine matters vital to our sea power if possible by international action, and we bare suffered.

there is International activity in dealing I bave such as the right of search. (Her, hear. be some favourable conditions. millions more have been maimed for life already alluded to the overwhelming horo decide questions which at present held for Go into a war hospital, and hear some rurs of the present war, and the appalling would form occasions of war, we require, with certain social questions and other

liaba

matters of more than national importance, who has lost one of his

to civilisation itself of

anthon, an instrument of far greater au danger young

Then there is the describe himself as one of the lucky oues

recurrence thereof.

these proposals may seem inadequate. fiee the heart-searching cheerfulness of

abe expected to possess under existing con- those who, with whatever injuries, have growing acceptance of the doctrine that thority than any international Court can I am quite aware that to some penal. Such an instrument es, They desire to see a fully-equipped in- it .com. of nationality, yet underlying escaped from the hell of trench warfarewever admirable may be the sentiment ditions

To them I believe, be found in organised and con-ternational legal system imitated directly These things will give us some inengur mon humanity which has in some respects centrated international public opinion. from national institutions,

Consider well the difficulty of the horrors of actual war, and if a paramount claim on the loyalty of us Even at the present time the germ of would say:

18 Been in the that lies before you; remember all the The movement towards religious such opinion exists. would realise the full take of suffering P involved we must add to them the slaugh reunion on one side and international growing sentiment, already alluded to elements of opposition which await you; ter of women and children, the anxieties, labour organisations on the other is evi- which recognises the common interests of remember. too, that any ambitious scherne the grief,

the despair of the mourners at dence of the strength of this sentiment. the peoples of the world. Moreover, any means a large invasion home, the wholesale destruction of life and property in foreign lands. The op- pression of Belgium and northern

man

Wo

France,

ECONOMIC ORGANISATION.

one who considers the nutter fairly will agres that the part directly played by international public opinion even in this war has been by no means unimportant (Hear, bear.)

WORLD OPINION.

the Finally, we have a right to place soune confidence in the increasing recognition of the truth that all civilised States aro We have parts of one economic whole. scan that, under the stress of war, the

World opinion, therefore, even now may on international Entente uations have been forced to create an elaborate inter-Allied economic organ have great influence

But it IS

not of much Almost the whole shipping of relations. isation.

the starvation of Serbia, and Poland, Russian chaos, the Syrian murders, the Armenian massacres, with all their accom

indeed a terrors, make up Nor can draught of deadly wine.'

of the heroism satisfy myself that, in und self-sacrifice of which the war has been so prolife, there is on the balance any moral advantage to set against the terrible material evils.

ལ

of national sovereignty of British govereignty a well as that of others and then think whether a change which really precluded definitely forced contending nations to the possibility of sudden attack, which submit their quarrels to the opinion and conscience of mankind, would not con- stitute a great step forwards towards the gopl which you are striving to reach. "

In the first two warnings,

Beem

I do

Temos

Machinas

Com

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TWO WARNINGS. the world is now controlled by an inter-use at present to prevent the outbreak

To others these proposals may Allied body for the benefit of the alliance of war, because it may so easily be over as a whole. Similar arrangements have ridden by rapid military action. All will

Cgo, there are good grounds for asserting it is right that men should ask whether and allied purchases and distribution of manic Powers to face an international that they present no serious, and certainly In the face of a catastrophe like this been made with regard to allied finance recollect the steady refusal of the Ger visionary. As far as technical questions no insuperable, difficulty. They are no nothing can be done to prevent its re raw material, and this immense cominer conference at the beginning of this war:

venture to claim currence, and I do not think tut anyone cial and economic force has been used not they were perfectly aware that if they castles in the air, but solidly based on

only to strengthen and consolidate the bad had to wake their ener openly before existing foundations. will bave the courage to give a negatavefiance, but na n powerful means of pres- the world at large they would have found that they are free from some of the chico-i reply. Some there are who look for future tranquility to the direct effects of sure against our enemies. Since nations it dilbealt, if not impossible, to induce tions to which other similar schemes are open, and that they constitute a genuine our overwhelming victory. They demand have shown a tendency to combine for their own people to sanction hostilities. But the destruction of Germany and the pre other purpoess, it doce not sem hopeless As things now are, they were able to avoid and practicable attempt to solve what is, But I would add: duminunce of her present eneuries. That that they should form as Rasociation to this dificulty by rushing into war.

problem of the day. Austrian ultimatum, the

place, the realiention by the Central Powers promote the greatest of all earthly bless-suppose that, after the receipt of the Serby far, the gravest social and political of their defent is an essential conditionings, namely, peace. It is when the no-bian reply to the of any future settlement is true enough. ture and structure of such an association Central Powers had been compelled to not think that any League of Nations Only so can the German people be con has to be set forth that the great oppor submit the matter to an international con should make us careless of, or indifferent vinced that they have been the followers tunity for destructive criticism artscs, ference, and it had been clearly establish alout, the other terms of peace. Not only

ned. ja

and we it necessarily an experiment, of false gods. But it is more than ques We are seeking indeed to substitute some ed, as must necessarily have happened. tionable whether permanent peace can be thing like the reign of law for that of that the Serbian concessions had left not have no right in such vital matters to the world brute force, and it is obvious that the a shadow of excuse for warlike action gamble on the success of any experiment, established on the basis

Sowever promising; but we must-have a domination of the Entente or any other reign of law presupposes, in the brat place, If that bad occurred, it seems doubtful group of lowers. (Hear, hear.) To such a law-giver to enact laws, and, in the whether the Germanic Powers could have and peace in order to give the Lorgun a As declared war. They could never have fair start. For any true partnership of settlement 1 do not believe that the second, machinery to enforce them, peoples of the world will ever be brought to the law-giver, there can be little doubt; pretended, even to their own people, that nations, we must have a territorial settic Lo submit for any length of time, and the only possible authority for the they were engaged in defensive operations ment based on natural justice. We must 1 must add that in my heart I do not making of laws to bind natione is an Morcover, they would have known beyond re-establish the sanctity of treaties. We World assembly of the nations themselves or their all possibility of mistake the strength of must oxorcise the spirit of German mili For all this, the conditions of wish that they should do an domination is, after nil, only, another representatives. The fundamental prin- the forces ranged against them, and sach tari word for international despotism, and ciples which the langue of Nations is to knowledge might well have made them the coming treaty demand the utmost Finally, if they had notwith-precaution. To attempt the construction however benevolent such a despotism try to enforco can only be thus laid pause. might

ho it must be inconsistent with that down. It is the machinery required to standing all, insisted on going to war, the of a League of Nations, on any other cess of oblivion will set in; men will say who think that whatever is is right, the war will not come in their time; the Innd as a enervating evil, will combine with will have peado for, forty years, till 0 the would have been diminished or destroyed, upon sand., liberty without which all other political onforce these principles that causes the element of surprise in their aggression foundation would be, indeed, to build it possibly with truth that a new world militarists, who regard perpetual ponci disciples of the late Lord Melbourne Can't you let it alone!" It "if any new international or new generation springs up to whom the to way: Finally, advantages are insipid and, not infre real difficulty,

For the enforcement of laws amongst and they would have been thereby de degrading It, then, we reject the iden ut a penon imposed on the world individuals we rely chiefly on two great prived of one of their chief weapons. Norganisation is to be rented, it must be horrors of war are a matter of history, is only, therefore, while the recollection

Discussion and brought into existence by the treaty which rather than of experience. Forty yours of all we have been through is burning by some powerful alliance, there remains agencies; we have courte of law whose this a special enre.

It shall close this war. The great force, on in a long time, and for men rehily care fresh that we can hope to overcame the infeguarded except sotus general agroe sical force, and we have public opinion, always has been so in history, and even which we must rely, is the hatred of the what will happen to posterity. In such inevitable opposition and establish uk no other method by which pance can be deerees are ultimately executed by, phy delay must always make for peace.

cor Resociation, or Longue of Nations. which, in the end, is made effective by where such expedients have failed to pro- cruelty and waste of war which now a field, doubts and fours will grow nprice, lost the beginning of a new and bette With this proposal almost everyone ex mural sanctions. We have all road that vent hostilities, I believe that they have exists. Now that the war is over, the pro- The, chauvinists who believe that all organisation of the nations of the

(Continued at foot of neat column.) Foreigners are barbarians, the bureauerata (Cheers.) Dresses & general sympathy, and makes in vertain classes of society the two unfor. in almost every case circumscribed the

chent at cards and to arca of conflict. it the theme, on the platform and els givable sine aro

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