Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-07

its sessions at the exposition on the 18th
of October, proved to he of great prac-
tical Importance, from the fact that il
developed general recognition of the
of nations in trade
and "a most gratifying spirit of accom-
mediation with reference tn the gradual
removal of existing impediments to re-
ciprncal relations, without injury to the
industrial interests of either party.
In response to the invitation of His
Majesty tho Emperor of Russia, dele
gates from .26 countries were assembled
Mt The Hague on the 18th of May, as
members OF conlerencejn the interest
OF peace. The commission from the
United States consisted of the Hon.
Andrew d. White, tho Hon. Seth Low,
the Hon. Stanford Newell, Capt. Alfred
I. Mahan of tho United States Navy,
Capt. William Crozier of the United
States Army, and the Hon. Frederick
N. Wholls secretary. The occasion
seemed to be opportune for the serious
consideration Of a plan for the pacific
adjustment of international differences,
a subject in which the American peo-
PIE havo been deeply interested for
many years, and II definite project for
a permanent international tribunal was
included in the instructions to the
delegates of the United States.
The final act of the conference includes
conventions upon the amelioration and
customs of war on land, the adaptation
to maritime warfare and the principles
of the Geneva convention of 1864, and the
extension of judicial methods to'inter-
national cases. The convention for the
pacific settlement of the international
conflicts emboiies the leading features
of the American plan, with such modl-
fications as we're rendered necessary by
the great diversity of views and inter-
ests represented by the delegates The
four titles of tho convention provide
for the maintenance of general peace,
tho exercise of good offices and media
ton, the formation of commissions of
inquiry, and international arbitration.
The mediation provided for by the
convention is purely voluntary and ad
visory and is intended to avoid any in
vasion or limitation of the sovereign
rights of the adhering States The COM
mission CT inquiry proposed consist of
delegations to be specifically constitut-
ed for particular purposes be the means
of conventions between the contesting
parties, having for their object the
clear understanding of international
o ., M poioio iesol'ins ~ .no .oe
Oh Iorce' Inc provIslon Ior arpilratloh
conteuiniates the Iormatlon OF perIna
nenI Irlpunai pel4re whicn uisputteu
cases may pc nrougnt tor seteiement py
tne mutual consent OF the litlgants ID
such permanent tribunal over i'm
promptu commissions of arbitration
are conceived to be the actual existence
of a competent court, prepared to adj
minister !ustice' tne s,eaeer econohiy
resulting nom a wen '1eviseu system,
anu tne accumulated Juulclai skill anu
experience which sueh tfipunai would
soon POSSESS
While earnestly promoting the idea
OF establishing permanent inter.
national tribunal, the delegation of
the United States was not unmipdful
of the Inconvenience which might
arise from an obtrusive exercise of
mediation, and in signing the con-
vention carefully guarded the historic
position of the United States by the
following declaration:
Nothing contained in this con-
vention shall be SO construed as to re-
quire the United States Of America to
depart from its traditional policy of
not intruding upon, interfering with,
or entangling itself in political ques-
tions or policy of international adj
ministration Of any foreign state, nor
shall anything contained in the said
convention be construed to imply q
REIMBURSEMENT by the United States
of America in its traditional attitude
toward purely American questions. p"
Thus interpreted the convention for
the pacific settlement of international
conflicts, may be regarded as realizing
the earnest desire OF great numbers of
American citizens, whose deep sense
of Justice, expressed in numerous reso-
lutions and memorials, has urged them
to labor for this noble achievement.
The general character of this con
vention, already signed by tho deio-
gates OF more than ~ sovereign States.
further comments 1t to the favorable
action OF the Senate OF the United
States, whose ratification 1t still awaits,
Since my last annual message, and
in obedience to the acts OF the Con-
gress of April I'D and 18th, 1913, the
remaining volunteer force enlisted for
the Spanish war, consisting OF 3I,s3l
regulars and 10, POP volunteers, with
over 5000 volunteer officers, has been
discharged from tho military service.
OF the volunteers, 66I officers and
4,S3i men were serving IN the Phllip-
pines, and 1,65O OF the regulars who
were entitied to De mustered out after
the ratification OF the treaty OF peace.
They voluntarily remained at the front
until their places could be filled by
new troops. They were returned home
IN the order In which they went to
M To- nd nF hntN nttt Of