The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-06
WAR TO BE A LAST RESORT
WHEN ATTEMPTS TO ARBI-
TRATE DIFFERENCES HAVE
FAILED.
OFFICES OF MEDIATOR MADE VOLUNTARY
And Either Of the Parties May Terminate the
Arbitration Negotiations at Will. The
Document TO Have Sec.
ond Reading.
ond Reading.

The Hague June 1.-The arbitration
committee of the Peace Conference held
q mectig today under the craftsmanship
of NJ. Leon bourgeois. Mr. Andrew ID.
White, head of the United States delega-
ton, Sir Julian Pauncefote, head of the
British delegation. and NJ. De Staal.
head of the Russian delegation, with all
the members Of the committee were pres
ent.
The secretary Of the drafting COM
nittee read the draft scheme of media
ton it had had under consideration.
Articles | and are declaratory--to
the effect that the signatory powers, in
order to prevent "A recourse to force,
brave agreed to effect pacific solutions or
differences, and will, except in cXcep-
tional circumstances. before an appeal
to force, have recourse to the mediation
of one or more friendly powers.
Article 3 independently Of Il recourse
to such amicable means, the signatories
deem it expedient that one or more pow
ers not concerned in the conflict, should
offer of its or their own initiative. and,
so far as circumstances will permit, its
or their good offices of mediation to the
States at variance. The right to offer
good office of mediation belongs to pow
ers not concerned in the conflict, even
during the course Of actual hostilities:
and the exercise of this right can never
be considered by the PARTIES at variance
as an unfrendly act.
Article provides that the role of
mediator shall consist in the reconcil-
iation of conflicting claims and the al
laying of bitterness between States at
variance.
Article ). defining the limitation of the
functions Of a mediator, says these shall
cease on the moment when it is stated
by one of the parties to the dispute. or
by the mediator. that he arrangements
or the basis of Il friendly understanding
proposed by him is not accepted.
Article q says that the good offices
contemplated. either at the instance of
the parties at variance or ON the initia
tive of uninvolved powers, are eXclu-
siyely of the character of friendly coun-
sci.
Article asserts: acceptance of me-
diation cannot have the effect. except by
virtue of convention to the contrary, Of
interrupting or retarding or hampering
mobilization or other preparations for
war. If mediation intervenes after the
opening of hostilities it shall not inter
rupt except by virtue of convention
to the contrary. military operations in
course of execution"
Article s: 1.-The signatories are in ac-
cord to recommend. in all circumstances
permitting it, special mediation in the
following form: In the event of grave
differences threatening peace the states
mt variance shall choose respectively a
power to which each shall confide the
mission of entering into direct relations
with the power chosen by the other side
in order to prevent IL rupture of friendly
relations. During the currency of their
mandate, which, except i'll the event of a
stipulation to the contrary shall not eX-
coed thirty days, the question i'll dispute
shall he considered as referred exclusive
ly to these powers. They shall apply all
their efforts to settle the dispute and,
in the event of an actual rupture of
friendly relations, shall remain charged
with the mission of taking advantage
of every occasion to restore peace"
The draft was adopted without modifi-
cation. although the committee stipulat-
ed that it should be subject to modiii-
cations at the second reading.