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be suggested by the progress of invention) is sure to meet with opposition, on the ground that such renunciation would unfairly affect nations which are compelled by their circumstances to rely specially on one or other of the practices which it is pro- posed thus to stigmatize.
4. The divergencies of view which cause certain powers to formulate reserves on certain points are due to deep-seated and enduring causes. Thus the United States are not likely to withdraw their objection to being bound in any way to depart from their traditional attitude with reference to European politics and to questions purely American. Turkey is certain to remain jealous of interference with her concerns, even in the guise of a tender of good offices. Great Britain will continue to refuse even to discuss any rules which would hamper her in the freest use of her advantages as the great sea power; while, with other states which keep small standing armies, she will always be loth wholly to prevent non-combatants from assisting in the defense of their country.
5. With reference to the form of the documents prepared at The Hague, one is struck by the unusual provision, contained in all three declarations, that they, like the conventions, shall need ratification. Each of the conventions and declarations drafted by the conference contains a clause which implies, though it does not express, that any one of the powers, parties to it, may, by denouncing it, stand free, after the lapse of a year, from the obligations which it imposes. It might be as well if duration of all agreements of this class were limited to live years (ten would perhaps be better), as in the case of the declaration with reference to projectiles from balloons.
6. The substantive provisions contained in the arbitration convention amount really to nothing, since everything in them which savored of an obligatory character was omitted, in deference to arguments of which the German delegation was the mouthpiece.
7. As to the machinery of arbitration, a code of procedure has been drafted, but its rules may be followed or departed from at the discretion of litigants. A perma- nent court is also to be mstituted, although no one need seek its aid. It is, however, quite possible that the mere existence of such a court, with its rota of judges, its bureau fixed at The Hague, its archives and its officials, inav in time produce among the powers a habit of referring their disputes to it for settlement.
8. Nothing done at The Hague has touched the real difficulties in the way of arbitration, viz.: (i) the making it to any extent compulsory, without derogating from the sovereignty of states; (2) the selection of the classes of topics to which com- pulsory arbitration is applicable, since there are admittedly classes of topics to which it is not applicable; (3) the choice of impartial arbitrators. — T. E. Hali.anu, "Some Lessons of the Peace Conference," in Fortnis^itly Review. December, 1899.
Penal Aspects of Drunkenness. — The conclusions and recommendations of the committee are summarized as follows :
The classes of offenders considered are roughly divided into the following groups :
First of all the large class of accidental and of first offenders, who under the pres- ent practice of the courts are commonly discharged, and, with occasional exceptions, obviously require only the exemplary warning furnished by arrest, a night in jail, and arraignment in court. Porthe exceptional cases referred to, probation or probationary fine may serve still more to reinforce the warning. This whole group constitutes more than 50 per cent, of the total number of arrests for drunkenness in Suffolk county.
.Second, the smaller class of occasional offenders, presumably on the road to hab- itual inebriety, and calling for the most intelligent sympathy and treatment. It is here that the restraint, encouragement, and personal influence of probation, and in rarer cases of probationary fines, are most needed and most effective.
Third, the still smaller, but more distinctly pathological, group of habitual and of periodical drunkards. Here the restraining influence of probation is obviously less likely to produce permanent results ; and it is this class which makes the strongest appeal for the more systematic and scientific rescue work of asylum treatment. Unhap- pily, at present the frequent application of fines, and consequent short-term impris- onment, to persons in this critical condition only hastens the work of demoralization.
Fourth, the smallest and most pathetic residual group of confirmed inebriates. For the small minority of young offenders belonging to this group every consideration
