Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-09-03
THE CZAR'S PROPOSITION.
An International Conference for the
Purpose of Securing Real anG
Lasting Peace.
EVIDENTLY SINCERE IN HIS PURPOSE.
The Continually Eniarging Military and
Naval Establishments Have Failed in
the Desired Object OF Preventing War
While Proving Tax on Material Prog.
Tess and Wealth.

London, Aug. 90.-The cars propo
siton for an international conference
for the purpose of securing real an6
lasting peace among the powers and
the termination OF the progressive in
crease in armaments, as conveyed in 2
note from Count Muravicff, the Russiaz
foreign minister, to the foreign diplo
mats at st. Petersburg, is likely tt
produce n sensation throughout Eu
rope, and, coming from such a quarter
and with such evident sincerity of pur,
pose, it Is likely to have important ei
fects. There is no doubt that with
Russia taking the lead in such step
Germany, France and the other ma
tions will be ready to follow.
Text Of tho Note.
The text OF the note follows:
"The maintenance Of general peace
and the possible reduction OF the ex
cessive armaments, which weigh upon
all nations, present themselves in cx
isting conditions to the whole world n,
an ideal toward which the endeavor'
of all governments should be directed
| Humanitarian and Magnanimous Ideas.
"The humanitarian and magnani
nous ideas of his majesty the EN-
porer, my august master, have beer
| won over to this view in conviction
that this lofty aim is in conformit,
with the most essential interests ant
legitimate views of all the powers, and
the imperial government thinks the
present moment would be very favor
able to seeking the means.
A RcaI, Durable Peace.
''In the course OF the last 20 years
the longing for general appeasemen'
has grown especially pronounced il
the consccnccs of civilized nations
and the preservation OF peace has been
put forward rs an object of interna
tional policy. 1t is in it's name tina
great states have concluded among
themselves powerful alliances.
The Better to Guarantee Peace.
ut is the better to guarantee peace
that they have developed in proportions
| hitherto unprecedented their military
forces and still continue 10 incrcas,
them without shrinking from any
sacrifice
Nevertheless all these efforts have
not yet been able to bring about the
bencicent result desired-paciticaton
Strike at the Very Root OF Popular Pros
pcrity.
"The financial charges following the
upward march strike at the very roo
of public prosperity. The intellectual
and physical strength OF the nations
labor and capital are most diverted
from their natural application and arr
unproductiyely consumed. Hundreds
Of millions are devoted to acquiring
terrible engines OF destruction, which
though to-day regarded as the las
work of science, are destined to-mor
row TO lose all their value in conse
1uence of some fresh discovery in thu
same field. National culture, economi,
progress and the production OF wealtl
are either paralyzed or checked il, de
vclopment Moreover, in proportion
as the armaments OF each power in
crease, they less and less fulfill the OBJ
ect the governments have set before
themselves
The Economic Crisis
"The economic crisis, due in greai
part to the system of armamcnts
routrancc, and the continual DANCE
which lies in this massing OF war ma
.erial are transforming the armed
peace of our days into crushing blow
which the peoples have more difficult!
in bearing.
at appears evident that If this stat
Of things were to be prolonged /
would inevitably lead to the very cata
,lysm il is desired to avert, and th'
horrors whereof make every thinking
being shudder in advance
To rut an End to Inocssaut Armaments
$40 put an end to these incessant ar
mamcnts and to seek the means o
warding off the calamities which ar
threatening the whole world such i
the supreme duty to-day imposed upo
all states
"FiIlcd with this idea, his majcst
hns been pleased to command me t
propose to all the governments who's
representatives are accredited to tn
imperial court, the assembling of
conference which shall occupy itsel
with this grave problem.
A Happy Frcsage for the Century About t
Open.
"This conference will be, by the hcl
of God, the happy presagc for the cen
tury which is about to open. 1t woul
converge into one powerful focus tn
efforts of all states sincerely seeking
make the great conception OF universe
peace triumph over the elements O
trouble and discord, and it would q
the same time cement their ngreemen
by corporate conservation of TIL
principles of equity and right, whereo
rest the security of states and the we
fare of peoples.