Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-09-02
Text of the Note.

Text of the Note.
London, Aug. 30.-The czar's propo-
sition is likely to produce sensation
throughout Europe, and coming from
such a quarter and with such sincerity
OF purpose, it is likely TO have import
ant effects.
1t is thought that France and Ger
many will follow Russia.
The text of the note follows:
1.-THE maintenance of general peace,
and the possible reduction OF the expen-
sive armaments 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
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 insuring all peoples
benefit---a real, durable peace, above
all, putting an end to the progressive
! development of the present armaments.
SIN the course OF the last 20 years;
the longing for general appeasement
has grown especially pronounced in the
consciences of civilized nations; and
the preservation OF peace has been put
forward as an object OF International
policy. 1t is in its name that great
states have concluded among them
selves powerful alliances. 1t is the
better to guarantee peace that they
have developed, in proportions hitherto
nprecedented, 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 benef-
cent result desired, pacifcation.
1.-The financial charges following the
upward strike at the very root of pub
lie prosperity. The intellectual and
physical strength OF the nations labor
and capital are mostly diverted from
their natural application and are un-
productivity consumed. Hundreds of
millions are devoted to acquiring terri.
bic 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 same
field. National culture, economic prog
ress and the production OF wealth are
either paralyzed or checked in develop
ment. Moreover, in proportion as the
armaments OF each power increase, the
less and less they fulfill the object the
governments have set before them
selves. The economic crisis, due in
great part to the system of armaments,
Poutrance, and the continual danger
which lies in this massing Of war ma.
terial, are trans forming the armed
peace of our days INTO crushing bur.
: den, which the peoples have more and
more difficulty in bearing.
1T appears evident that if this state
of things were to be prolonged it would
inevitably lead to the very catacysm it
is desired to avert, and the horrors
, which make every thinking being
shudder at in advance.
TO put an end to these incessant
armaments and to seek the means of
warding off the calamities which are
threatening the whole world-such is
the supreme duty today imposed ON all
states.
Filled with this idea, his majesty
has been pleased to command me to
propose to all the governments whose
representatives are accredited to the
imperial court the assembling of con-
ference which shall occupy itself with
this grave problem. This conference
will be, by the help of God, the hapnv
presage for the century 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 universal peace triumph
over the elements OF trouble and dis.
cord, and it would, at the same time
cement their agreement by corporate
concentration OF the principles of En-.
rope and right, whereon rest the So.
curlty OF states and the welfare of neo.
PIES" r''