Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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Tur Senior ANNTAT, 13 been, among the foremost nations, a won- derful increase in justice, which is gov- ernment for the people, and in wisdom, which is the education of the masses. But the greatest of the characteristics of yveace we have yet to obtain, unity. That I J ' is the problem to be solved in the future. In the more link to be forged. From as early as the seventeenth cent- evolution of peace there is one ury there have been men who wrote and talked of the benefits of Then there were gatherings of from different countries to discuss tion. These were the first indication of a mutual de- They were the result of peace, people the gatherings ques- international sire for unity. centuries of unconscious preparation. It was the working out of the great law of concord. At first these congresses were unofficial and could only suggest improve- 3ut their fame spread through their discussions of matters of vital in- terest to all The aroused, its eyes were opened to the in- ments. people. world was humanity of war, its attention was called to the necessity of peace for progress, and the nations began to take up the great question of peace, which had been developing throughout the history of the world, and the result was the Congress of Nations at the Hague in 1904. This Conference represented the rulers of twenty-six nations. It met for the pur- pose of promoting the possibilities of world peace which involves many prob- lems arising from the complexity of our modern civilization. This is the first of many conferences, and if their enthusias- tic efforts continue, surely the result will be the accomplishment of their aim. The first question that came before the congresses has already been quite satis- factorily settled. It concerned the miti- gation of the evils of warfare. In the early wars, any one in the enemy’s terri- tory was subject to the most brutal treat- ment. ‘Though some of these cruel prac- tises had gradually died out, there was room for much improvement and several measures have been adopted for the “hu- manizing of war.” At the Geneva Con- vention, in 1864, the Red Cross Society was founded, providing for the neutral- staff of doctors and who are to care for the sick and wound- ed. Each nation had a military code, but they differed from one another in several These differences finally settled and an International Code ization of a nurses ways. were now governs the conduct of all armies in the field. The Hague Conference gave further instructions which would tend to make war, if war there must be, less hor- rible. But the and question is Arbitration, the settling of disputes by a council of persons mutually Many dis- greatest most complex chosen by contending parties. putes in modern times have been settled by this means, and numerous arbitration treaties have been made between all the great nations. At present the sphere of arbitration is disputes, but the national limited to business graver questions concerning policy, vital interests, honor or self-pres- ervation, must be settled by the time- honored method—war. eminent diplomat says, However, as an “To settle dis- putes by arbitration is a very good habit to get into, and once the habit is formed as to minor matters, it is only a step further to the settlement of major differ- ences by the same means.” The restriction of Arbitration is due to the fact that the nations will acknowl- edge no higher power than their own. The world has yet no head, no single central power to direct and govern and keep the countries working together in harmony. There should be a Court of Nations established permanently to settle all disputes and regulate the condition of

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12 THE stands for Vera, a sedate child, Who walks about much, but seldom does smile. is for Webster, not Daniel you know, Only a girl who makes a great show. x is a letter found in excuse, When one you find its no use. you face Mr. Harris without is for yesterday, the day before to- day, What pay. you did then you will it will is for Z last, but not least, For often she’s been ‘immer, the thought of by the ‘ ‘Editor” in (While (meditating. peace. PEACE OR WAR: The Possibilities of International Arbitration war: This is the great throughout the to- Yast to West the greatest age are pondering upon it. ement, the first which both the Occident which concerns | JEACE or question world From the It is a world mov day. men of has stirred and Ori- and person throughout the whole earth! For this reason it is the greatest question that arisen. It higher civilization, of civilization in its ent every has ever is a proof of our truest sense. War is an historic law. man mar- Every and woman thrills at the sound of tial fife and drum. principle; it is a law of God Himself. Sir Isaac Newton known to the world a great principle which had al- humanity had It re- But peace is a divine made ways existed, although been ignorant of its existence SENIOR ANNUAL mains not for one man, but for many na. tions, to find out through experience that positive conditions of peace are absolute. The first of all, wisdom, ly necessary for univer sal progress. essentials for this peace then are, justice and unity. mercy, and, greatest of all, The question is, does the world possess these character- istics, or will it ever them, so possess that the possibilities of war may be re. moved forever ? In the aim early civilization war was the ambition of all. skill nize over the less fortunate. one and He who excelled in military rose to tyran- ‘ys = This wasa a brute civilization, made up of inhuman thirsting for the blood of fellowmen. humans, their Even their amusements were this lust for the de- Such was the tion of the Romans. designed to satisfy struction of life. civiliza- 3ut over the chaos of this great savagery was shed the first light of the pure, clear light of It burned dimly at first, but the love and sacrifice of its little alight, and it began to brighten and pierce the God’s mercy, Christianity. desciples kept the flame darkness of universal cruelty. Through the ages, as the brightness has increased, inhumanity has diminished. Christianity, the sovereignty of supreme power of the man for first quality of peace, the the world’s 3y the principles of one and love of the appreciate good, man, mercy, made man value of a life. However, human still for centuries the tyranny of a few over many. there was many But the common people were gradually rising out of the depth of ignorance. As they more enlightened they gan to resent oppression and to demand their rights. Then the for education became be- individual struggle for justice began, and personal rights go hand in hand, and both are necessary for national progress. In the latter years of history there has

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14 TH affairs, and until that time there can be no lasting unity or permanent This will undoubtedly be the for the nations are beginning to see that peace e next step, just as the conditions are between man and man, so should they be between na- tions. Formerly a man settled his griev- the now men ances by a duel and better swords- man won, but refer their case to the law and it is discussed and settled fairly. There is also the benefit from such a condition to industry and commerce. In war, business is at a standstill and great sums of money must be spent in main- taining the army. When it is over the countries are in a crippled condition, and have dropped back a pace in the universal progress. tariffs and At present there are high the free intercourse of trade is obstruct- ed. This is due to narrow ideas of prog- ress and the fear that, should the barri- ers be thrown down, someone would get more than his share. This would be reg- the C Nations, since the European nations are jealous of the the world bound togetherin Unity, would it resent the attempt to ulated by murt of and maintaining “ status quo,” so were covetous break the laws of nations. Another laws.” the “conflict of But through careful study these obstacle is laws might be compromised. In the same way as the English Common Law grew out of the decisions of the Courts, an In- ternational Law might grow from the decisions of the High Court, which would be composed of the wisest and impartial lawyers. To this Court of Nations the question of Disarmament must be left, for the na- tions are not yet prepared to trust one another. Until then, timely preparation for war is the best means of preserving peace. SENIOR ANNUAL that the minds and the whol hastening the So we see hearts and hands of world are busy at work development of this last characteristic, Unity. rd of Through the brotherho humanity has grown a horror of the practice of human slaugh- ter to settle disputes. Education has d that it doesn’t settle the question and wrong. From a practical people see how peaceful con- ditions promote they industrial progress, and are beginning to realize the im- measurable bene Peace. When in the near future it is hoped the world will add Unity to Mercy, Justice and Wisdom, I »indeed. And a then there multitude on earth will join the heavenly its of will be Pea host singing, ‘‘Glory to God in the High- est. and on earth Peace and good-will toward men.” Heien E. FINIs. STURDEVANT. No Harm Done Mr. Hughes forgets himself in Amerti- merely answers can History class, and “No” tions, a question which might have been least panic in to one of Miss Crawford s ques- argued on for at fifteen minutes. There the young ladies screamed and many of the but the was a class, the strong men wept or fainted, memory will stay by us forever. Better be small and shine than’ large and cast a shadow. Warren Noble. I cannot tell where my heart has gone. = Marjorie Ellis. His rolling. bright, black eyes kept rolling, Mr. Harris.