The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-21

ries hope that the Governments not rep.
resented at the Congress will unite in the
sentiment which has inspired the wish
recorded In the present protocol. -
In the treaty which they concluded
they embodied, but with mole limited
application, the principal of mediation,
more formal than that of good offices,
though substantially similar to 1T. In
case OF misunderstanding between the
Hofte and any of these signatory powers,
Tue opl1gation was undertaken before
having recourse tosthe use of force, to
AFFORD the other contracting parties the
opportunity of preventing such an ex.
tremity by means of their mediation. .
Cart. 81. Under this article Turkey, In
1877, appealed to the other powers to
mediate between her and Russia. 1t Is
not, perhaps, to be wondered at, conslo-
ering the circumstances, that the appeal
did not succeed in preventing the Russo
Turkish War. But the powers assem-
bled in the American Conference at Ber-
lin were not discouraged from repeatin g
the praiseworthy attempt, and in the final
act of that Conference the following pro-
viso Article 12) appears:
Gin case of a serious disagreement
rrising bewteen the signatory powers on
any subjects within the limits OF the
Territory mentioned in Article ! and
placed under the regime of commercial
free dom, the Powers mutually agree, be-
fore appealing to arms. to have re course
to the mediation of one or more OF the
neutral powers.
1t is to be noted that this provision con.
templates not arbitration but mediation,
which Is different thing. The Mediator
is not, at least, in the first instance, in
vested, and does not seek to be invested,
with authority to adjudicate upon the
matter in indifference. He is the friend OF
both parties. He seeks to bring them TO-
gether. He avoids tone of dictation to
either. He is careful to avoid, an to each
of them, anything which may wound
their political dignity or their suscepti-
billties. If no caDnou compose the quar-
rel, he may at least narrow it's area and
probably reduce it to more limited di-
sions; and, having narrowed the issues,
he may pave the way for that final settle
ent by reference to arbitration or by
some 9th er method.
This is Power often used, perhaps
not SO often as it ought to be-and with
good results.
1t is obvious that 1t requires tLct and
Judgment, as to mode. time and olrcum-
stance, and that the task can be under
taken hopefully, only where the Media
tor possesses great moral influence, and,
where he is beyond the suspicion of any
motive except desire for Peace and the
public good.
There Is, perhaps, no class of question
In which mediation may not, time and
occasion being wisely chosen, be usefulIy
moneyed, even in delicate questions affec-
ting national honour and settlement.
Lord Russell concluded his speech at
r.. Is. As he closed the audience ohsered
for several minutes. An informal recess
was taken, during which all that could
possibly do SO, crowded to the platform
and olasped the hand Of Lord Russell.
When order was restored, the thanks
of the association were presented to Lord
Russell by vote.
The report on International law recon-
nended that the Ameriea Bar assooia-
ton concur in resolutions adopted by the
American conference OH international ar
bitration at Washington in April and
was adopted.