AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL.

OUR readers will find in the present number of CONCORD a most valuable paper, written by Sir Edmund Hornby. Its appearance is most timely. Our Parliament has, in principle, agreed to enter into a permanent treaty with the United States for the future settlement by arbitration of all differences which may arise between the two nations. There can be no doubt that similar treaties will soon be concluded between various States; and we learn that next session a proposal will be brought forward for an arbitral treaty with Spain, a corresponding motion being brought forward simultaneously in the Senate of that country by our friend Don Arturo de Marcoartu.

A permanent system of arbitration demands a permanent COURT for the application of the principle and for the appointment of judges not specially chosen for each case or representing any particular country, but nominated for a term of years under conditions which shall ensure their absolute independence as well as their complete fitness for the great functions committed to them. On all these points Sir Edmund Hornby brings to bear arguments based on reason and experience which seem to us unanswerable.

only on positive law, but on previous decisions, treaties and the opinions of jurists.

Many things are needed to ripen the convictions alike of the general public and of legislators and statesmen, so that the several Governments may become alive to their responsibility in this matter and willing to co-operate for the great purpose in view. Among many incidents, both great and small, which are contributing to the education of public opinion in this matter is the declaration made by Mr. Gladstone in the arbitration debate of the 15th June, and the response which it evoked on the part of the Committee of the Inter-parliamentary Conference held last month at Brussels. The Premier's words will become historic, and they should be recorded in the pages of this journal. They were as follows: :

which I have attached very considerable value, "There is another method of proceeding, to a central tribunal in Europe, a council of the Great Powers, in which the rival selfishnesses may neutralise one another, and something like impartial authority may be attained for the settlement of disputes."

Such a declaration, however measured in its terms, emanating from the the great Minister of a great State, constitutes an event in itself, and is an important step towards the realisation of the grand ideal before us. Its true purport and importance was at once perceived by the representatives of the several European Parliaments at the meeting above referred to. It was not, however, Mr. Gladstone's purpose at the moment to draw a careful distinction between a European Council for the discussion of purely political questions, and a Tribunal for the settlement of questions of law and equity; but of course such a distinction must be made by those publicists and statesmen who will have to consider the organisation of an international Tribunal. The moment is, then, eminently fitting for the work just undertaken by the Association for the Reform and Codification of the Law of Nations, in appointing a Committee to prepare a scheme for the Tribunal in question. In doing so they will no doubt take due account of the excellent project drawn up by the late Professor Leone Levi, as well as of the numerous schemes devised by such men as Kamarowsky and Lorimer. The Committee in question has the opportunity of rendering a great service in placing before the legislators of Europe and America a careful analysis of the various proposals which have been made by jurists for this purpose; with a report based on the latest conclusions of foremost thinkers. Never was such a service more needed by the world. Peoples and Governments would, we believe, heartily welcome the inauguration of the reign of law, if they only saw the way.

H. P.

THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF

UNIVERSITIES.

WE rejoice to be able to announce the definitive creation of a committee at Paris, entrusted with the duty of forging a new link between nations. This work is the outcome of a paper submitted to the Peace Congress at Berne two years ago. In that paper it was urged that the Universities constituted a fitting sphere for cultivating a spirit of due respect and appreciation between nations; that it was at the centres of higher education that those who formed the world's thought and directed the world's affairs were mainly trained; that it was during the years of University life that men were most sensible to generous ideals, and laid the foundation of the convictions which moulded men's careers.

This idea at once took root and was heartily welcomed by University students and professors both in Italy and in France. M. Jacques Dumas, president of the "Society of the Young Friends of Peace," at Nimes, set to work vigorously to give practical form and substance to the idea. While pursuing his studies at Paris, where he has recently received his degree of Doctor of Law, he received most valuable aid from our valued friend, the eminent scientist, Dr.Charles Richet, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine. After much preparatory work two meetings were held in Paris at the beginning of this month, and a provisional committee has been formally constituted. Its thoroughly international character will be seen from the recital

of those now elected to carry on the work, and other representative men have been invited to join the new body. The present members are as follows: Hodgson Pratt, President; Professor Dr. Charles Richet, Vice-President; J. Dumas, Secretary; Léon Marillier, Treasurer; Nicolas Abricossoff, of Moscow; Aulard, Professor in the Faculty of Letters, Paris; Bransome, of Moscow; Carvallo, of Madrid; H. Ferrari, Paris; Fuster, Paris; Herbertson, Edinburgh; Paul Melon, Paris; Osteritte, Heidelberg; Charles Roberts, Oxford; Weiss, Professor in the Faculty of Law, Paris.

The first step taken by the Committee will be to issue, in several languages, a statement of the objects and mode of operations to be adopted by the proposed Alliance; and this document will be communicated at once to members of various Universities known by name to members of the committee. Copies will shortly be supplied to the office of our Association, from which they will be supplied on demand.

The programme commences with a declaration that the object in view is to create a bond of union between those who are connected with the world of Higher Instruction, and to render heir relations with each other more frequent

and therefore more cordial. It is desired accordingly to remove all obstacles to the realisation of a true international life for University men, whether students or professors. The following methods of arriving at the end in view are suggested for consideration:

1. The reciprocal recognition of the equivalence of degrees granted by different Universities where due conditions exist for their validity, so that the diplomas of a student obtained at the University of one country may be accepted at the University of another country, or that terms passed at one may be recognised at another.

2. The promotion in each country of the comparative study of the institutions of foreign countries, and in developing the system of travelling scholarships.

3. The organisation of University festivals, whereby students and professors of various countries may come into closer relations.

4. The adoption of such steps as may promote the attention of the Universities to the best prevail more generally in the relations between means of making the rules of justice and equity

States.

These purposes are to be carried out by the constitution of joint committees at the several Universities, constituting the proposed Alliance.

We need hardly say how cordially we welcome this new agency for the unity of man; and in fully developed, we earnestly appeal to all order that this excellent work may be success

members of Universities to send us the names of persons at any of those seats of learning who would probably be willing to take part in formPHIL. ing the proposed committees.

THE WAR IN MATABELELAND. WITHOUT attempting to go fully into the various questions connected with the action of the Chartered Company in Matabeleland, there are one or two points connected there with to which we desire to call special attention. The first is one on which the Committee of our Association has pronounced an emphatic opinion, as will be found on reference to the column in which the minutes of the Committee are recorded, namely, the grave constitutional question involved in allowing commercial companies to usurp the rights of sovereign states with reference to peace and war. Surely the difficulties and dangers of the past should teach us that no state can safely delegate this power. Another point is the grave financial charges made against Mr. Rhodes and his associates by Mr. Labouchere and the Daily Chronicle to which we venture to say no satisfactory answer was given by the Prime Minister or the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies in the recent debate in the House of Commons. Seldom, it seems to us, has a weaker reply been made to a heavy indictment than