The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-09-02


The car considers the present moment
favorable for the Inauguration of a
movement looking to this end and in
vites the powers to take part in an in
I.ternational conference as a means of
thus insuring real and lasting peace
and terminating the progressive in
crease Of armament. The text of the
note follows:
The maintenance Of general peace and the
possible reduction Of the executive armament
which weigh upon all nations present them
selves in existing conditions to the whole world
Us an ideal toward which the endeavOrs OF all
governments should be directed The human
itarian and magnanimOus ideas OF his ma
1eSty, 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 essential interest and legitimate views
Of all the powers; and the imperial govern
ment thinks the present moment would be very
favorable to settling the means
international discussion is the most ef-
fectual means OF inSuring all peoples benefit
q real, durable peace. above al pu tting end
ornaments In the course Of the last 20 years,
the longing for general appeasement has grown
especially pronounced in the cOnscisnces 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 It is better 70 guarantee
peace that they have developed IN proportions
hitherto unprecedented their military forces.
and still continue to increase them without
shrinkage from any sacrifice Nevertheless,
all these Efforts have not yet been able 70
bring about the benehcent result desired
pacifcatiOu.
The financial charges following the upward
march strike at the very root OF public pros
perity The intellectual and physical strength
on the nations labor and capital are mostly
HaraHF
are unproductiTcly consumed Hundreds Of
millions are devoted to acquiring terrible en-
Eines OF destruction, which. though to-day re-
Rarded as the last work Of science, are destined
tomorrow to lose all their value in cOnse-
quence Of some fresh discovery in the same
field National culture, economic progress and
the production OF wealth ere either paralyzsd
OF checked IN development Moreover, in pro-
portion as the arguments Of each power in
crease. they less and less fulfill the object the
governments have set before themselves
The economic crisis, due in great part 20 the
system Of ornaments, Ioutrancs. and the con-
tinual danger which lies in this massing Of war
material are transforming the armed peace OF
our days into crushing burdens which the psO-
pies have more and more difficulty in bearing
It appears evident that II this state OF things
we're 70 be prolonged. it would inevitably lead
70 the very cataclTsm Il Is desired 10 avert, and
the horrors whereof make every thinking be-
ng shudder in advance To put an end TO these
increasing ornaments and u seek the means
OF Tarding OF the calaInitieS which are threat
ening the whole Wo-ld-such is the supreme
duty to-day imposed upon al states
Filled with this idea his majesty has been
pleased TO command me 20 propose to all the
governments whose represe ntatiTes are &C
credited 10 the imperial court the assembling
Of a conference which shall occupy itself with
this grave problem This conference VIII be,
by the help Of God. the happy presage for the
century which IS about 70 open II would con-
verge 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 il would.
at the same time, cement their agreement BY q
corporate concentration Of the principles Of
Europe and right wherein rest the security Of
states and the welfare Of peoples