Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/20

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6
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

1873, in which Henry Richard, by an admirable speech, prevailed upon the House of Communs to vote an address to the Queen in favor of arbitration, was not even mentioned on the continent even by those papers which pretend to be best informed as to current events. Now all the important proceedings of the peace societies, the motions of the members of different parliaments, the congresses, the speeches, are announced and discussed, sometimes guardedly, and sometimes with explicit approval. Upon the slightest disturbance, appeal is made to arbitration as an unfailing resource. This has been well illustrated, as both Americans and Europeans know, during the recent troubles in regard to Venezuela, Transvaal and Armenia, which in spite of their gravity have not destroyed public confidence in arbitration.

Every year lengthens the list of arbitrations brought to a successful issue, thus confirming the faith of the apostles and preachers of the gospel of arbitration and overcoming and disarming the objections of the incredulous. Moreover the press of all countries and languages, influenced by the progress of ideas and the need of satisfying the ever increasing demands of the public, is beginning to play an important part in the study of international questions and may thus be called, in the fullest sense of the term, cosmopolitan.

The number of books relating to this subject is considerable. I might mention "Conflicts and Disorders of Modern Society" by the Russian Novicow, Vice-President of the International Institute of Sociology, and the "Benefits of War," a piece of grim satire, by the same author. Also a work on "War," by the learned doctor Letourneau; "The Neutrals," by Captain Godchot, an officer of the Zouaves; "The War of 1870-71 by M. Chuguet, Professor in the College du France, a simple but conscientious report, which by its impartiality has done more than the most violent anathemas to awaken detestation for the bloody deeds of war. Besides this there are the admirable volumes of that Alsatian who is known only by his pseudonym Heimweh, "Home Sickness;" those of Ernest Lavisse, which one