The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-29

Call to All Great Nations to Meet and
A2ree on Articles

LONDON, Aug. 2S.-The Cars PROPOSE
tioE for an international conference for the
purpose of securing real and lasting peace
among the powers and the termination of
the progressive increase in armaments, as
conveyed in a note from Count Muraveff
the Russian foreign minister, to the foreign
diplomats at st. Petersburg, is likely to pro-
duce a sensation throughout Europe, and,
coming from such a quarter and with sucn
evident sincerity of purpose it is likely to
have important effects. There is no doubt
that with Russia taking the lead in such
a. step. Germany, France and the other ma
tions will be ready to follow. The text of
the note follows:
THE maintenance of general peace and
the possible reduction of the excessive ar
maments which weigh upon all nations pre-
sent themselves in existing conditions to the
whole world as an ideal toward which the
endeavors of all governments should be di-
rected. The humanitarian and magnani-
nous ideas of his Majesty the Emperor,
my august master, have been won over to
this view in the conviction that this lofty
aim is in conformity with the most essen
tial interests and legitimate views of all
the powers. and the imperial government
thinks the present moment would be very
favorable to seeking the means. Interna-
tional discussion is the most effectual
means of insuring all people benefit-a real,
durable peace-aboye all, putting an end
to the progressive development of the pres
ent armaments
In the course of the last twenty years
the longing for general appeasement that
has grown pronounced in the consciences
of civilized nations, and the preservation of
peace has been put forward as an object of
international policy. 1t is in its name that
great states have concluded among them
selves powerful alliances. 1t is the better to
guarantee peace that they have developed
in proportions hitherto unprecedented their
military forces and still continue to increase
them, without shrinking from any sacrifice.
Nevertheless all these efforts have not vet
been able to bring about the beneficent re-
suit Observation-Disclosures.
THE financial changes following the up-
ward march strike at the very root of pub
lie prosperity. The intellectual and physical
strength of the Nations labor and capital
are mostly diverted from their natural ap-
plication and are unproductively consumed
Hundreds of millions are devoted to acquir-
ing the terrible engines of destruction,
which, though to-day regarded as the last
work of science, are destined tomorrow to
lose all their value in consequence of some
fresh discovery in the same field. National
culture. economic progress and the produc-
ton of wealth are either paralyzed or
checked in development Moreover, in pro-
portion as the armaments of each power
increase. they less and less fulfill the object
the governments have set before them
selves. The economic crisis, due in great
part to the system of ornaments routrance
and the continual danger which lies in this
massing of war material. are transforming
the armed peace of our days into 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
evitabiy lead to the very cataclysm 1t is
desired to avert, and the horrors whereof
make every thinking being shudder in ad-
vance. To put an end to these incessant
armaments and to seek the means of ward
ing off the calamities which are threatening
the whole world-such is the supreme duty
to-day imposed upon all states.
Filled with this idea, his Majesty has
been pleased to command me to propose to
all the governments whose representatives
are accredited to the imperial court the as
sembling of conference which shall oc-
cupy itself with this grave problem
This conference will be- by the helm Of
God. happy presage for the century which
is about to open. 1t would converge into
one powerful focus the efforts of all states
sincerely seeking to make the great con-
ception OF universal peace triumph over the
elements of trouble and discord, and It
would. at the same time, cement their
agreement by corporate conservation Of
the principles OF equity and right whereon
rest the security of states and the welfare
of peoples"
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