Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1898-09-02
rMg czaK rnorosEs pIsanmA,
MENr.


Tfs following remarkable docu-
ment has just been issued by the
Gar of Russia addressed to all ma
tions having repre- entaiives at his
court. The document has made a
profound sensation throughout the
world. All civilized nations agree
that il y the ideal to be stiyeu for.
but point ont numerous difficulties
in 'he way:
The maintenance OF general peace
and the ros,itie reelection OF the e1-
cessive asr meats winch weigh upon
all nations present themselves in cx-
istinR conditions to the world as mn
ideal toward which the endeavors ~
all governments should he directed.
Tho humanitarian nd magnapi
mons ideas 81 his Ms the Emper.
OF. my august mares. ave been won
over tn these views. IL the conviction
that this laf,y aim is in conto' nifty
with The most essential interests and
Legitimate views Of all the powers.
: and the inperill government Think
the present moment would be very
favorable to seeking the means.
International discussion is the most
effrcfual OF insuripR all peo-
Plies beuetit, n rPnl. durable peace,
above all-putting an end TO the pro-
gressive development Of the present
armament. 10 the courso OF the las
twenty years the longing for general
appeusement has grown especially
pronounced IN the cOusciences 9! civ.
ilized nations, md he preservation III
peace has been nut orNnrl MS nm nb-
jet international policy. 7; is in its
name that great S'n'es have con-
Guided amoug themselves powerful
allinnp ces. II Is the better TO guar
nntee peace that they have developed
in proportions hitherto unprecejent-
ed their military forces and still con-
hnue tn incnrasr them, without
shrinking ron any sacrifice. Never
theless, all these efforts have not yet
been able IN br nS about the beneh-
cent result desired, qualification.
The financial charges following Tbs
upward march strike at the very root
OF public prosperity. The intellect
u5 and physical strength OF The ma
tion's labor aud capital are mostly
diverted from their natural applica-
ton and are unprodrctively con.
sumed. Hundreds OF millions ara
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 same field
Natural culture, economic progress
md the production of wealth ere
either parnl, zed or checked in devel.
opment. Moreover. in proportion as
the nrmaments Of each power iu-
crease, the less and less they fulfill
the Object the governments have set
before themselves. The economic
crsis, due in great part to tile system
Of armameuts and the continual dam
ger which lies in the massing Of war
material. are Transforming the armed
peace ~ onr days into a crushing
burden which the people have o
and more difficulty III bearing. II
appears evident TINT il this state Of
things were to be prolonged it would
inevitably lead 10 the very cataclysm
1t Is desired to avert, and the horrors
whereof make every thinking being
shudder in advance.
To put an end to these incesslnt
armamentn and to seek the means OF
varding off the calamities which are
threatening the whole worli-such is
the aupreme duty today imposed
upon ali Sta'es.
Full With this idea, his Majesty has
been pleased TO command me 10 bro.
pose to all the governments whose
representatives are accredited Ia 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 ia about to open.
1t would converge into one powerful
focus the efforts NJ all states sincere
ly seeking tn make the great concep.
ton OF universal peace triumph over
the elements ~ trouble and discord.
and IT w0nld nj the same time cement
their agreement by a corporate con.
centration OF the principles Of Enrope
and right wbereon rests the security
OF states nni the welfare Of peoples s.