ON September 13 there was held at Perugia a Congress convened by the Peace and Arbitration Society of that town. The large hall in which the meeting was held was crowded, about 1,500 people being present. General Türr presided, and was supported by Bonghi, Rocchi, the Syndic of Perugia, Prof. Tiberi, and others. The first speech was made by the Syndic of Perugia, who greeted the guests and hoped that everywhere the labours of the illustrious workers in the cause would assist the progress of Peace and Arbitration. Professor Tiberi greeted General Türr and Signor Bonghi and the representatives of the Parisian municipality. He referred to the useless war made by several journals now-a-days, and was glad to observe the progress Peace had made in Umbria. M. Girou then spoke. He bore greetings from the Parisian municipality. He hoped that soon Arbitration would be substituted for the large armies which were ruining the morals and finances of nations. Signor Bonghi thanked the Professor and others for their kind words. He discussed the idea that there would always be war because there always had been. He said the most powerful nations did not want war, because it would mean their complete ruin. Professor Morandi dealt with the methods of developing peace action in small centres. Professor Tiberi gave readings from Signori Cavallotti, Zola, Moneta, &c. Then Signor Lazzarini proposed the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :-"This meeting invites the Peace Societies of Italy and of France to join in the objects and in the works of the permanent Franco-Italian Committee, for conciliatory propaganda, and for bringing about a good understanding between the two nations. At the same time it deplores the attitude of those journals in both countries, which, actuated by private interests, stir up old rancours and create new ones. The public opinion of the two nations is invited to denounce these abominable proceedings and to again declare itself in favour of Peace and its desire for solidarity between France and Italy.”

The Press was largely represented. A banquet was given in the evening.

LOCAL ORGANISATION: A VALUABLE SUGGESTION.

WE have received the following excellent suggestions from a member of the Association residing at Exeter, which we have much pleasure in printing, in the hope that some of our friends in various parts of the country may be moved to adopt some of Mr. Everitt's admirable proposals:

"DEAR SIR, I am sure that every member of the International Arbitration and Peace Association must deeply regret the low financial condition to which we are reduced, and the consequent resolve of the Com

mittee to publish CONCORD only once in two months The last report clearly shows that it is incumbent on every one, who has the subject of International Arbitra tion at heart, to at once put the shoulder to the wheel, and to struggle with brain and purse to remedy the misfortune as speedily as possible. I am writing this note in answer to the Committee's appeal for sugges tions on the matter. I consider that an increase of the Association's work is to be looked for in more systematic local organisation. For effecting this I would suggest that every member should be invited to set on foot in his district what might be termed Peace Guild.

"On the chance that this suggestion may find favour with some ladies or gentlemen, I will, with your permission, enumerate a few hints which I venture to think may be found useful.

"Probably the best way of commencing work would be for one to spend a few pence in purchasing a packet of assorted tracts, such as 'An Appeal to Women' or 'Twelve Reasons.' These should be handed round to bosom friends, and discussed privately with each one of them separately. All who appear to take an interest might be asked to a drawing-room meeting, when tea and coffee could be provided with advantage. Let the result of the meeting be the formation of a guild, with oneself as secretary.

"It might be found advisable to insist that every member of the guild should be a member of the Association; and take in CONCORD. But this would not be absolutely necessary, and might be found inexpedient, if many of the so-called working classes' could be induced to join, though not able to afford a subscription. Certainly, every member should, at all events, sign some declaration in favour of International Arbitration; and perhaps two, or even four, might be willing to club together to take in CONCORD.

"The value of the Guild must depend largely on the energy of its secretary. Meetings ought to be held at least quarterly,; oftener, if possible; and arrangements should be made by the secretary for an interesting discussion at each meeting. Subjects for debate can easily be found. At one time, discuss the novel, 'Lay Down your Arms'; at another, some contemporary war, or Sir E. Hornby's scheme, or an article in CoxCORD, or the history of International Law, or a statement such as that of Sir J. Lubbock with regard to the Eight Hours' Bill at the last annual meeting. So much for the internal work of the Guild. When once firmly set on foot, it should apply all its energies towards getting its existence and purpose known in the district around. I will only briefly enumerate a few of the means by which this object can be attained.

"1. The Guild should see that CONCORD was supplied to all the chief reading-rooms in its neighbour hood. Place books like 'Lay Down your Arms' in all the lending libraries.

"2. It should distribute tracts as much as possible. Send them especially to influential persons, such as ministers of religion or secretaries of working-men's societies. Let all schoolmasters and mistresses have a copy of Peace and War.'

"3. It should write to the local papers. Get notices of meetings inserted. Correct erroneous statements by help of CONCORD.

"4. It should get one of the Association's public lecturers down as soon as possible. Join with some larger society, literary or philanthropical, if there is no other way. Expense of advertising might thus be avoided.

"5. It should offer prizes when it has the means. Get school teachers to set their weekly essays on some subject connected with Peace. Offer a cheap edition of Lay Down your Arms' as a prize.

"6. It should distribute suitable tracts at election' times. The ideal of a Guild should be to embrace &

majority of voters in its district resolved to send up a
candidate pledged to International Arbitration.
"Trusting that you will get a large supply of sug-
gestions from other members, I remain, yours sincerely,
"To the Secretary,
"A. W. B. EVERITT.

"International Arbitration and
"Peace Association."

CORRESPONDENCE.

IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

[To the Editor of CONCORD.]

SIR,-In a letter on Imperial Federation in your May number, your correspondent I. G. Homewood "That our Colonies would not send their fittest men to represent them in an 'Imperial Parliament' I do not think possible."

says,

Experience of colonial life would probably alter this opinion, and lead to the belief that instead of sending their best men, the Colonies would send those who would make the largest promises of "good to the Colony," and who would be the most unscrupulous in the means they would employ for attaining a coveted position. In New Zealand, for example, it is well known that, with few exceptions, the members of the present Parliament are distinctly below the best of the population in morality, in intelligence, and in capacity for business. The Premier, a few years ago, kept a public-house. The member for New Plymouth is the lamplighter and turncock of the place, to whom leave of absence from these duties was granted during the sitting of Parliament. Drunkards, gamblers, men of disgraceful deeds, can all find a seat in the New Zealand House of Representatives. Sir Julius Vogel, a few years ago, complained in the House that the present Speaker, who then held the same position, had repeatedly, owing to his intemperate habits, been unable to reach the chair without assistance. In short,

here, and according to the accounts which reach us from the Australian Colonies there also, things are rapidly approaching the condition in America, where it is said that the best men keep themselves from politics. The Government now in power in New Zealand has been described as government by bribery, and it might have been added, by intimidation. It is, therefore, reasonable to suppose that bribery and Intimidation could have much to do with the choice of members of an "Imperial Parliament." Seats would be sought and gained, not for the good either of the Colony or of the Federation, but for the private aggrandisement of the holders. Some of the results to be expected have been well pointed out by your correspondent C. E. Maurice, who is undoubtedly right in saying that "it is just the fiercest and most overbearing colonists who would be returned."-Faithfully MARY STEADMAN ALDIS.

yours,

Auckland, New Zealand, August, 1894.

Casimir-Perier, congratulating him on his election to the Presidency of the French Republic, and expressing the hope that his influence will always be exerted in favour of peace and concord among nations." July 24.-THE PEACE QUESTION IN SCHOOLS.-The Chairman and Secretary reported an interview with the Right Hon. A. H. D. Acland, M.P., on this subject, in which Mr. Acland pointed out what he had already done in the matter, and promised to consider whether he could do anything further.

August 7.-NEW SOCIETY AT OFFENBURG (BADEN).→→ Resolved: "That the congratulations of the Committee be forwarded to the members of this new German society, with an expression of hope that we may be in frequent communication with one another."

,,-THE HOSTILITIES BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.-Resolved: "That this Committee desires to record its feelings of great regret caused by the outbreak of hostilities between China and Japan, arising out of the rivalries of these two nations in the kingdom of Korea, the occasions of which appear to have been disputes that could easily have been referred to impartial mediators or arbitration.

"The Committee also notes that this imitation of the evil customs of the Western world by these two communities of the far East has received its most deplorable illustration in the attack by a naval Japanese force on, and destruction of hundreds of human lives on board a Chinese transport vessel, owned by a British company and flying the British flag, without any previous Declaration of War, whereby the issues involved might have been set forth, thus leaving the way open to adjustment before murderous hostilities were entered into-a flagrant instance of the violation of the true Law of Nations."

21.-FOREIGN MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE.Resolved: "That it is highly desirable that this Committee should be more international in character; and that, accordingly, efforts be made to obtain the services of persons of various nationalities who would be willing to serve on the Committee."

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

So many of our friends have expressed their regret at the cessation of the monthly issue of this journal, and the committee of the Association have felt so strongly the inconvenience of only publishing every other month, that it has been decided to resume the monthly publication. In order, however, to save expense, the number will consist of eight instead of sixteen pages. We again appeal to our well-wishers to do what they can to obtain increased funds for the Association, so that we may be able to return as soon as possible to the larger size. The space at our disposal is exceedingly limited, and we are frequently obliged to omit important and interesting matter.

TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE should be much indebted to our friends in the country if they would undertake to arrange that a copy of CONCORD is placed in the reading-room of the public libraries, and similar institutions in their respective districts,

PRICE TWOPENCE,

[er 25. 6d. Yearly prepaid.

We already send to most of the libraries in London and the suburbs, and to some others; but there are probably many of which we do not know, where a copy might usefully be sent. We shall be happy to supply copies free of charge for this purpose.

THE PEACE OF EUROPE.

HE who, by universal admission, has, for the last thirteen years, been "the protector of European peace," has passed away; and no one knows how far his successor, a young man of twentysix, can, or will, exercise the beneficent influence of his father. The very fact that one

man can thus hold supreme power over the destinies of three hundred and fifty million souls, and that the nations are dependent on him for that most indispensable blessing-peace, is a monstrous anomaly at the end of the Nineteenth Century of the Christian era. That preposterous and most alarming fact is due to the anarchy in which the States of Europe are placed by their absurd and wicked rivalries and animosities. Three hundred and fifty millions of people, who only ask to be allowed to live and work in security, find their existence permanently imperilled by quarrels in which the great majority have no real interest. Their fate is at the mercy of one unhappy man whose own life is not worth a day's purchase, and for whose wisdom or character there is no guarantee whatever. Let us call attention to only one out of a thousand facts which result from this universal anarchy called the "Armed Peace." The French people, whose proudest boast is that they are the creators and inheritors of the REVOLUTION, the fundamental principles of which are liberty, equality, and fraternity, have actually been led to acclaim and support, with unanimity, this tremendous autocracy, which represents the very antithesis and contradiction of their own cherished revolution-the basis of their Republic!

It is hardly necessary to say that this condition of things is opposed to the best interests of

human welfare. No man or woman is true to the cause of Religion or Humanity who does not work for a complete reform in the existing relations of the Peoples with each other. The great question is, How is that reform to be brought about? We have no hope of its realisation except through the greater enlightenment and political power of the masses. They must obtain complete control over their Governments in all international questions; and, in order that that control may be effectively exercised, it is not sufficient to have a Republican form of government. There is no Government which so detests internationalism as that of France; and why is this so? Because the war of 1870-71, and the consequent annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, have preoccupied the whole political thought and energy of France for twenty-three years. That event has moulded and determined its action alike at home and abroad. It is only another instance of the infinite mischief caused by War. We have no intention of throwing blame upon our French brethren in this matter. No other people, placed in the same position, would have acted otherwise. The blow to the national pride, the national sentiment, and the sense of duty towards populations long united to them-these things have unfavourably affected their whole policy and course of action. Such results should awaken men everywhere to a keener perception of the widely destructive influence of war upon man's truest interests and destiny.

arrived when conditions of peace could advantageously be proposed.

We do not care to decide the question of time, but it seems to us always the time to endeavour to arrest massacre and extermination. The danger involved in the destruction of central authority in an immense empire like China was clearly pointed out by Lord Rosebery in his speech at Sheffield. As the Daily News showed, the danger is one in which all Europe is concerned. When, therefore, our Government learned that China was ready to conclude a Treaty and grant Japan better terms than she had at first demanded, there was a clear and pressing duty to see what could be done. Lord Rosebery accordingly enquired of the Powers whether they thought that the proposals of China could be communicated to Japan. It is, therefore, lamentable to find that journals like the Times, of London, and Le Temps, of Paris, can do no better than carp a this proceeding. At all events, the Peace Societies of Europe and America, whose delegates at Antwerp voted that Europe ought to make every effort to bring this war to an end, should, in common consistency, thank the British Minister for his prompt and meritorious action. H. P.

ANGLO-FRENCH RELATIONS AND THE MADAGASCAR QUESTION. THE following correspondence has passed between the Committee of the Association and the President of the Société Française pour l'Arbitrage entre Nations :—

"40 and 41, Outer Temple, Strand, W.C, "October 6th, 1894. "DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE,-The members of our Committee have naturally been greatly concerned

H. P.

INTERVENTION BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN.

IF the Press exists for the "punishment of evil-doers,” it should also exist for "the praise of them that do well." On this principle, Lord Rosebery deserves its hearty approval for his efforts to induce the Powers to join Great Britain in combined diplomatic action for the termination of this cruel war between China and Japan. The credit due to him is not in the least diminished by the fact that only one of the Powers (Italy) accepted the proposal. Two of them gave no definite reply-which was certainly called for on such an occasion-and the other two thought that the time had not

the last few weeks, to the effect that serious differences of opinion have arisen between the Governments of France and England. We have no means of judging how far these rumours have any foundation in fact; but we consider that the comments to which they have given rise in the newspapers are calculated to create angry feelings on both sides of the Channel, a result which all friends of international unity and good will must deprecate. You are aware, dear sir, how earnest our Committee has always shown itself in endeavours to remove causes of international distrust, and to arrest the circulation of false statements affecting the relations of nations with each other.

the French Press that, immediately on the announce"In the present case it has been frequently stated by ment of the special mission of M. Le Myre de Vilers to Madagascar, the English Press manifested unfriendly feeling towards the French nation, and attacked the course adopted by the latter. It is very natural that the English public should on all occasions manifest a deep interest in the intelligent people of Madagascar, where the efforts of English missionaries have been so singularly successful for a very long period; but the action attributed to the influential part of the English Press is not founded on fact. In proof of this we send you extracts from a leading article from the Times, dated September 19th. That newspaper, as you know, exercises a very great influence on British opinion