Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-09-02
\ Universal Peace.
RussIa's Ruler Appears In an EStraor-
binary Role.


International conference for the purpose
Of securing a real and lasting peace
among the powers, and the termination
u the progressive increase in armament
1t has been conveyed in note from,
Count Muravief, the Russian foreipo
minister, to the foreign diplomats in ST
Petersberg. The document is likely 20
produce a sensation throughout Enrope
and coming from such a quarter and
with such evident sincerity of purpose. is
likely to have important effects. Theye
is no doubt that with Russia taking the
lead in such a step, Germany. France
and the other nations will be ready to
follow.
The text of the note follows: THE
maintenance Of general peace and the
possible reduction Of the excessive arm
aments which weigh upon all nations
present themselves in existing condi-
lions to the whole world as an ideal to.
ward which the endeavors Of all govern
ments should be directed. The humani
tartan and magnanimous ideas Of his
majesty the emperor, NY august mas
ter, have been won over to this view IL
the conviction that this lofty aim is in
conformity with the most essential in
terests and Il climate views of all the
powers: and the imperial government
thinks the present moment would be
very favorable to seeking the means.
international discussion is the most
cffectual means of ensuring all peoples
beneft-a real, durable peace. above all.
putting an end to the progressive de-
velopment of epresent ornaments In
the course Of the last 90 years the long
ing for general appeasement has grown
especially pronounced in the consciences
OF civilized nations: and the preserva-
ton Of peace has been put forward as
an object of international policy. 1t is
in its name tho great states have con-
Guided among themselves powerful al
liances. 1t is the better to guarantee
peace that they have developed in pro-
portions hitherto unprecedented their
military 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 benescent result desired.-pacifica-
ton.
THE financial charges following the
uP -ard march strike at the very root
Of Tuplc prosperity. The Intellectual
labor and capital is mostly diverted
from its natural application and unpro-
ductiveiy consumed. Hur dreds Of mil
lions are devoted to acquiring terrible
engines of destruction, which, though
today regarded as the last work Of
science, are destined tomorrow to lose
all their value in consequence of some
fresh discovery in the SANE field. Ma
a nd
the production of wealth are .ither
paralyzed or checked in deveiopm>1t
Moreover in proportion as the arma,
merts OF each power increase, they less
and less fulfill the object the govern
ments have set before themselves.
The economic crisis, due in great part
to the system of unlimited ornaments,
and the continual danger which lies in
this massing 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 bear
ing. It appears evident that If this state
of things were to be prolonged, it would
inevitably lead to the very cataclysm IL
Is desired to avert, and the horrors
whereof make every thinking being
shudder in advance.
ITO put an end to these incessant arm
ing off the calamities which are threat
aments and to seek the means of ward
ening the whole world-such is the su-
preme duty today imposed upon all
states. Filled with this idea, his ma
jesty has been pleased to command me
10 propose to all the governments whose
representatives you are accredited to
the imperial court, the assembling Of
conference which shall occupy itself
with this grave problem. This confer
ence will be, by the help of God, happy
pr. age for the century which is about
10 open. 1t would converge 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 dis
cord. and it would, at the same time,
cement their agreement by a corporate
conservation of the principles of equity
and right wherein rest the security Of
states and the welfare of peoples"
Six Are Dead.
Ware Mass, Aug. 29.-With the death
of John Scott, years old, the list o:
fatalities of an ACCIDENT at Whiting ,
crossing, where a train dashed into
barge Saturday night, is increased to
six. The names of the dead are:
George Whiting, so; Jesse Whiting, Is;
Sadie Whiting, 20; Albert Rich, 10
George Whiting. Jr., 1S, and John
Scott, G.
According to the account of the &C
cident by a survivor there was no warn
ing Of the coming train. Nobody heard
the whistle or the bell, and the shock OF
the engine threw the occupants OF the
barge right over a fence into a HELD
There is a gong at the crossing, and q
flagmen is stationed there nearly all DAY
but it has been his custom to leave Just
after the mail train, which precedes the
local, or "scoot" train-the one that
struck the barge-goes by. 1t is said
that the gong has not been in working
order for sometime. The crossing has
long been looked upon as dangerous
spot, If left without safeguards as the
road and tracks come together near a
curve, and also from the fact that the
approaches of the road are bad.
Mr.. Whiting, who drove the barge
purposeIy waited until after the time
when the "scoot" train was due, but the
train was late. In speaking of the &C
cident, Engineer Parker said that the
whistle was blown and the bell rung De-
fore the train reached the crossing.
Rough Riders Suicide.