The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-02
THE N0AD1S AS1OOND[D
At the Proposition OF
@ Emperor of Russia.
TO DlSlRM EUROPE.

sS1Sak tOISDS~
OF Nations for the Purpose-Comments
OF Statesmen and the P~re~s-Ameri.
cas- Naval Victories Perhaps q Con.
trfbutins Factor.
- st. Petersburg, August 2S.-By order
of Gar Nicholas, Count Maravieff,
the Russian foreign minister, has
handed to each of the foreign repre-
sentatives in ST. Petersburg a note
stating that the maintenance OF peace
and the reduction of the excessive ar
maments now crushing all European
naions form the ideal for which all
governments ought to strive. 30 r
The car considers the present mo-
ment favorable for starting a move
ment looking to this end and invites
the powers TO take part in an interna-
tional conference as a means OF ensur-
ing real and lasting peace and ending
the increase Of armament. .- a-"
The text Of Count Muravieff's note
is in part as. follows:
maintenance of general peace
and the possible reduction of the eX-
cessive armaments which weigh upon
all nations present themselves in ex-
listing conditions to the whole world
as an ideal toward which the endeav-
,ors Of all governments should be di-
rected. The humanitarian and mag
unanimous ideas of his majesty, the
emperor, my august master /, have
been won OVert to this view in the
conviction that this lofty aim is in con
iformity with the most SSenti in
tereStS and legitimate views of all the
powers; and the imperial government
thinks the present Would be
very Favorable to seeking the means.
3 international discussion is the most
~effectuaf means of ienSuring all peo-
PIES beneft-a real durable peace,
above all, putting an end to the pro-
greSsivei development of the present
ornaments. - fH,.l
il In the course of the last twenty
years the longing for general appease-
ment has grown especially pronounced
in the conScienceS of civilized nations;
and the preservation of peace has been
put forward as an object of interna-
tiOna policy. L" is in its name that
great states have concluded among
themselves powerful alliances; it is the
better to guarantee peace that they
have developed in proportion hitherto
unprecedented their military forces
and still continue to increase them
without shrinking from any sacrifice.
Nevertheless, all these efforts have
not yet been able to bring about the
beneficent result MISREPRESENTATION.
This conference will be by the help
of God a happy presage for the cen
fury which is about to open. 1t would
converge into one powerful focus the
efforts of all states sincerely seeking
to make the great conception of uni
Versal peace triumph over the elements
of trouble and discord, and would, at
the same time, cement their agree
ment by a corporate conservation of
the principles of equity and right where
on rest the security of states and the
welfare of peoples
COMMENTS OF STATESMEN AND
THE PRESS.
London, August 29.-The papers are
filled with discussions, comments and
opinions as to the circular of the En-
peror Nicholas. The most world
shaking e could hardly have pro-
duced such a coup as this suggestion,
the fruitiOn of which is regarded on
all sides as an absolute imposSibility.
This being holiday season, it is difficult
to obtain the opinion of the public men
III IHC SuOJC1t- II ICl1S louS "olIu,
however, loudly welcomes and praises
the cars noble initiative. Numerous
bishops have already publicly express
ed their views in that sense.
Among T" statesmen interviewed,
Lord Kimberley, the liberal leader, de-
clined to express a hasty opinion be-
yond saying that-the proposal was one
of the utmost Importance
The marquis of Ripon said: Il,
heartily wish the proposal all success,
Sir Charles Dixie, radical member of
parliament for the forest of Dean. re-
marked:r~"The Russian peace footing
of nearly ], 900. 600 regulars exceeds the
peace footing Of Germany. Austria and
Italy combined. Thus it has been in
Russia's power to reduce the lam
forces by diminishing her own in con-
nection With a"simifar action on the
part of Germany IFrench public opin-
ion is ot'fprepared for disarmament.
which. would mean as things, stand
now an Acceptance of the Hlsace-Lo-
'raine Situation. Naval Disarmament
would be, dangerous for Great Britain.
formal plan would involve .-subse-
quent breaches. Of faith, but if, Ger
many and Russia Will cease increasing
their forces We. can follow without a
formal agreement" o...rf... .
mo excitement is noticeable at the
foreign office. 1t is understood that the
special messenger was sent from St.
Petersburg recently with a fun expla-
nation of the ears proposal. lg1-. -
Naturally. all persons and societies
connected with peace and arbitration
movements are j~ubifant.U The pope
wired his congratulations to Emperor
Nicholas Immediately and offered ev-
cry assistance in. his power to promote
the proposed conference.
The Times in its financial article his
morning 1.-THE zar's circular
has had a good effect upon the mar
kets as indicating that there is no i'm
mediate probability Of war. Many peo-
pie remark the fact hat the proposal
appears when Russia's power 40 bor-
row freely almos ended and when
she has placed herself in positions in
China and elsewhere which can ne de-
Tended only at great cost" ..s' ."
FRANCE MUST HAVE ALSACE-LO-
-. RAINE FIRST.
Paris. August 29-The French news
papers distFust the praeticability OF