The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-08-29
TEXT OF THE NOTE.
It Is Likely to Produce a Sensation
Throughout Europe.

LONDON, Aug 2S.-The Cars
proposition for an international con-
ference for the purpose of securing real
and lasting peace among the Powers
and the termination of the progressive
increase of ornaments, as conveyed IN
a note from Count Muravieff, the Rus
sian Foreign Minister, 10 the foreign
diplomats at St. Petersburg, is likely
to produce a sensation throughout Eu-
rope and coming from such a quarter
and with such evident sincerity of pur-
pose, it is likely TO have important eff
fects.
There is no doubt that with Russia
taking the lead in such a step, Ger
many, France and the other nations
will be ready to follow.
The text of the note is as follows:
THE maintenance of general peace
and the possible reduction of the ex-
cessive ornaments which weigh up n
az nations present themselves in eA-
iHfng 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
these views in the conviction that this
lofty aim is in conformity with the
most essential interests and legitimate
views of all the Powers; and the i'm
perial Government thinks the present
moment would be very favorable to
seeking the means
international discussion is the most
effectual means of ensuring all peoples
benefits--a real, durable peace, above
all, putting an end to the progressive
development of the present ornaments.
I'm the course of the last twenty
years the longing for general appease-
ment has grown especially pronounced
in the conscience of civilized nations;
and the preservation of peace has been
put forward as an object of interna-
tional policy. 1t is in its name that
great States have concluded among
themselves powerful alliances.
1T is the better to guarantee peace
that they have developed in proper
tions hitherto unprecedented their mill
itary forces and still continue to in
crease them, without shrinking from
any sacrifice.
Nevertheless, all these efforts have
not yet been able to bring about the
beneficent results desired-pacificatio
THE financial changes following the
upward march strike at the very root
of public prosperity. The intellectual
and physical strength of the nations
labor and capital are mostly diverted
from their natural application and are
unproductively consumed. Hundreds
of millions are devoted to acquiring
terrible engines Of destruction, which,
though to-day regarded as the last
work of science, are destined tomorrow
10 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
naralyzed or checked in development
Moreover, in proportion as the arma-
rnents of each Power increase. the less
and less they fulfill the object the Gov
ernments have set before themselves.
.Jt apnears evident that if this state
of things were TO be prolonged it would
Inevitably lead to the very cataclysm 1t
is desired to avert and lHe horrors
whereof make every thinking being
shudder in advance.
"To nut an end to these incessant
ornaments and to seek the means OF
warding off the calamities which are
threatening the whole world-such IS
tho sunreme duty to-day imposed upon
all States.
Filled with this idea, his majesty has
been pleased to command me TO pro-
nose to all Governments whose repre-
sentatives are accredited to the I'M
nerial court. the assembling OF CON
ference which shall occupy itse1 with
this grave problem.
"Tbis conference will be. by the heip
of God. the happy presage for the CEN
turv which Is about to open. IL "ouiu
converge into one powerful focus 'ne
efforts of all States sincerely seeking ~
make conception of universal pea
triumph over elements or trouble aila
discord and it would at the same .ili.e
cement their agreement by COZ a.
concentration of the principies u -.
rone and right whei con rest the secuii'y
- c.otas and the welfare of peoples.