The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-29
nperor Nicholas Calls on All
the Nations
To Join In an international
Peace Conference
TO DISBAND ARMIES
And Stop theBuilding Of Engines
of War.
Proposition Creates a Sensation
In Europe.

st. Petersburg, Aug. 29.-By order of
Emperor Nicholas, Count Muravien, the
foreign minister, has handed to the for
eign diplomats at St. Petersburg note
declaring that the maintenance OF peace
and the reduction of the excessive arma-
ments now crushing all nations is the
ideal for which all governments ought to
strive.
favorable for the inauguration of a move
ment looking to this end, and invites the
powers to take part in an international
conference s a means of thus tnsur1ng
real and lasting peace and terminating
the progressive Increase of armament.
The text of the note follows:
1.-The maintenance of general peace and
the possible reduction of the excessive
armaments which weigh upon all nations
present themselves in existing conditions
to the whole world as an ldeaI Iowat t
should be directed. The humanitarian
and magnanimous ideas of his majesty,
won over to this view in the conviction
that this lofty aim is in conformity with
the most essential interests and leg1ti-
mate views of all the powers; and the
imperial government thinks the present
moment would be very favorable to seek
international discussion is the most eff
fit-a real, durable peace, above all put
ting an end to the progressive develop
In the course of the last twenty years,
the longing for general appeasement has
Sciences of civilized nations; and the
preservation Of peace has been put Tor
It is in it's name that great states have
concluded among themselves powerful al
TT is to better guarantee peace. that
they have developed in proportlons h1ther7z
to unprecedented thelr military FORCES, anu
still continue to increase them without
shrinking from any sacrifice. 49,.
yet been able to bring about the benehcent
result d1paeifleati9@n ni,o the mn,
ward march strike at the very root OF
physical strength Of the nations, labor and
capital, are mostly diverted from their
" consumed Hundreds of millions are
devoted to acquiring terrible engines OF
ed as the last work of science, are des-
tined tomorrow to lose all their value in
the same field. National culture, eco
homie progress and the production OF
development. Moreover, in proportion as
the ornaments of each power increase,
governments have set before themselves.
The economic crisis. due IN great part
and the continual danger which lies in
this massing of war maj erial are trans
a crushing burden which the peoples have
more and more difficulty in bearing;
1T appears evident that if this state of
things were to be prolonged, it would in
evitably lead to the, very eataclysm1 It is
make every thinking being shudder in adj
ITO put an end to these Increasing arm
aments and to seek the means of warding
off the calamities which are threatening
the whole world-Such is the supreme duty
imposed upon all states.
''Filled with this ieda, his majesty has
been pleased to command me to propose
to all the different governments whose
representa- tives are accredited to the inn
perial court, the assembling of a confer
ence which shall occupy itself with this
STfis conference will be- by the help of
God. the happy presage for the century
which is about to open. 1t would con-
verge into one powerful focus the efforts
of all states sincerely seeking to make the
umph over the elements of trouble and
discord, and it would at the same time,
cement their agreement by a corporate
concentration of the principles of Europe
states and the welfare of peoples"
Rome is Impressed.
Rome, Aug. 2s.-The cars note has
made a profound impression here. Some
of the newspapers applaud, while others
greet the communication with reserve or
distrust.
The Sensation of Europe.
London, Aug. 29.-The cars proposition
for an internationa conference for the
purpose of securing real and lasting peace /
the progressive increase in armaments, as
conveyed in a note from Count Murav1em,
the Russian foreign minister, to the for
eign diplomats at st. Petersburg, is likely
to produce a sensation throughout Europe,
and. coming from such a quarter and with
such evident sincerity OF purpose. II IS
likely to have important effects. There is I
no doubt that, with Russia taking the
lead in such step, Germany, France and
the other nations will be ready to follow.