Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-29
EUROPE STANDS AMAZED.
But the Idea Of Nicholas will Probably Be
Carried Out.


London, Aug. 2S.-The Cars proposition
for an International conference for the
purpose of securing real and lasting peace
among the powers. and the termination
Of the excessive increase in ornaments,
as conveyed in a note from Count Mura-
vieff. the Russian foreign minister, to the
foreign diplomats at St. Petersburg, is
likely to produce a sensation throughout
Europe, and coming from such a quarter
and with such evident sincerity of pur-
pose. It is likely to have important effects
There is no doubt that with Russia TAX
France and the other nations will be
ready to follow. M
The text OF the mote kpllows:
'"The maintenance o&general peace and
the possible reduction of the excessive
ornaments which weigh upon all nations
present themselves in existing conditions
to the whole world as an ideal toward
which the endeavors of all governments
should be directed. The humanitarian
and magnanimOus ideas of His Majesty
the Emperor. my august master. have
been won over to this view in the convic-
ton that this loftylaiml is in conformity
legitimate views ofHall the powers; and
the imperial government thinks the pres
ent moment would be very favorable to
seeking the means.
international discussion is the most
effectual means of ensuring all peoples
benefit-a real. durable peace. above all.
putting an end to the progressive devel-
opment of the present ornaments.
''In the course of the last 20 years the
longing for general appeasement has
grown especially pronounced in the con-
sciences of civilized nations; and the
preservation of peace has been put for
ward as an object of International policy.
1t is in it's name that great states have
concluded among themselves powerful
alliances.
at is the better to guarantee peace that
they have developed in proportions hith-
erto Unprecedented their military forces
and still continue to increase them, with
out shrinking from any sacrifice. Never
theless. all these efforts have not yet
been able to bring about the beneficent
result desired-pacification.
''The financial charges following the up
ward march strike at the very root of
public prosperity. The intellectual and
and capital are mostly diverted from their
natural application and are unproduc-
lively consumed
Hundreds of millions are devoted to
acquiring terrible engines of destruction,
which, though today regarded as the last
work of science. are destined tomorroy to
lose all their value in consequence Of
some fresh discovery in the same field.
national culture, economic progress
and the production of wealth are either
paralyzed or checked in development
Moreover. in proportion as the arma-
ments of each power increase. they less
and less fulfill the object the governments
have set before themselves,
''The economic crisis. due in great part
to the system of ornaments routrance,
anG the continual danger which lies in
this massng of war material are trans
forming the armed peace of our days into
a crushing burden which the peoples have
more and more difficulty in bearing.
1T appears evident that IL this state of
things were to be prolonged, It would in
evitably lead to the very cataclysm it is
desired to avert, and the horrors whereof
make every thinking being shudder in adj
vance.
ITO put an end to these incessant arma-
ments and to seek the means OF wardiug
off the calamities which are threatening
the whole wOrld-such is the supreme
duty. today. imposed upon all states.
''Filled with this idea, His Majesty has
been pleased to command me to propose
to all the governments whose representa-
tives are accredited to the imperial court,
the assembling of conference which
shall occupy itself with this grave
problem.
'This conference will be, by the help OF
God. happy presage for the century
which is about to open. It would con-
verge into one powerful focus the efforts
of all states sincerely seeking to make
the great conception of universal peace
triumph over the elements OF trouble and
discord, and it would, at the same time.
cement their agreement by a corporate
conservation of the principles of equity
and right whereon rest the security OF
states and the welfare of peoples"