The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-31
Would Make it Compulsory in Ger.
tain Cases.
A Common Arrange
ment Proposed,
Which States May Change on
Recourse to 1t.

The Hagus, May 30.-Het Vsderland
prints today the text of the Russian pro-
posals regarding mediation and arbitra-
ton.
Part enc deals with the desirability Of
seeking u solution of international dis
pntes by the mediation of friendly powers
and sets forth that such good offices as
will be sought or preferred shall bear.
strictly the character of friendly counsel
and in no way of compulsory force
Part two deals with International arbi-
tration which 1t declares "the most eiiica
sious and equitable means Of settling
questIo Ms regarding the international ap-
plication of treaties
The contracting power therefore should
undertake to seek arbitration in such
cases so far as these affect neither vital
interests nor the national honor of the
parties in dispute. Then after setting
forth that each state remains the sole
Judge of what cases are so to be sub.
mitted to arbitration it is suggested that
large number of cases such as questions
of peouniary damage and DISBURSEMENTS
in the application OF treaties or conven-
tions affecting commercial postal naviga-
tion currency sanitary and copyright mat
ters and she like not affecting vital inter-
ests or national honor are those in which
arbitrator should be obligatory. In all
other cases says this Russian scheme, ar
bitration though recommended by the
present act can only be applied on the
spontaneous initiative of one of the
parties in dispute and with the express
consent of the other parties.
| The closing clause provides as follows:
With view of facilitating recourse to
arbitr alton the signatory powers agree to
| formulate common arrangement for the
employment of international. arbltratlon
ana for the fundamental principles TO be
observed In drawing upon rules o. proce-
dure to te followed pending inquiry into
the dispute and the pronouncement OF the
arbitratoIs decision. The application OF
these principles and procedure may be
modified In virtue of special arrangements
between the states which may have re-
course to arbitration.
Part three deals with an international
commission of inquiry. 1t provides as
| follows:
''In cases of divergence causing inter-
national litigation on local circumstances,
which cannot be settled by ordinary
diplomatic means, but do not involve
honor OF vital interests. the government
| interested agree to institute an tnterrat-
lional commission of inquiry to lnvesUi
gate impartially all questions of fact.
| Each government Interested shall sp'
noint two members of the commission.
| These tour shall choose fifth who
shall bs president of the commission.
| If the votes are divided as to this,
| ha nadp another
| government or to a third party to ap-
po!nt "a president. After the investiga-
| tion the commission shall submit report
signed by all the members to the govern
merts interested. The report shall in nc
| wise have the character OF an arbitration
| Judgment, but shall leave the conflicting
parties at full liberty either to conclude
friendly arrangements on the basis of said
report or to have recourse TO rbltratior
by concluding an agreement al noe, OF
else by resorting to active measures al
lowabie in the mutual relations between
nations
| The Russian proposals are followed by
"A code of arbitration indicating procedure
on these lines:
| "lhe states interested that have accept
ed arbitration shall sign special act o.
lcomuromise, clearly setting forth tht
Questions TO lie arbitrated and the full
facts connected Herewith. The conpro
mise thus concluded may provide for ar
duration upon the whole matter in dis
pute or upon points categorically deter
mined.
"lhe governments interested may en-
trus 10 tne funotiors7of arbitration eithel
60 sovereign third power or to tribn-
nal Of arbitration. Such tribunal shall be
held In the same manner as commission
ers of inquiry and If difficulty arises in
choosing the fifth arbitrator as president
the othe. powers shall be asked by com
mon consent to appoint president;
The other clauses of the proposals dea
with details as to place of mseting th
appointment of counsel, the procedure o.
the tribunal and cogate matters.