The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-23
THE CARS PEACE
PLAN IN FULL

by Count Muravieff with a preface copied
from the Official Messenger OF the Russian
government. They are worthy of close
study, as Indicating the end to which the
czar is working. The preface naturally fol-
lows first:
1.-THE communication of the imperial gov
eminent dated August IL of last year rela-
tive to the convocation of an international
conference for the purpose of discussing the
best means of obtaining a general peace has
been received with the most lively interest
by the governments of other countries, who
have shown willingness to do their ut
most that the idea of the czar may be real
lied.
'In consequence the minister of foreign
affairs has, by order of the czar on Decem-
Der 80, 1898, addressed new communication
to the representatives of the powers In st.
Petersburg. containing the following:
Il. The request to inform themselves as
to whether their respective governments
consider the present political moment as
: opportune for convoking the projected con-
ference.
81 A succnct enumeration OF questions
of special and of a general order that
could be introduced, among others. into the
programme of the future work of the con-
: ference; and
'3 A statement of reasons why 1t would
3 not be desirable that the conference should
meet in the capital of one of the great pow
ers.
ut Is not the intention of the imperial
government to propose a definite pro-
gramme for the work of the conference.
Considering that 1t will be the work of this
meeting to consider all sides of the problem
to be solved, the imperial government has
2 limited itself to pointing out beforehand
certain questions that 1t will be necessary
to consider at the time of making the gem
eral report of the detail work of the con-
:, ference. AS to the questions of purely
- technical order, it will be easily seen that
( they must be elaborated afterward, with
the assistance of specialists, invited to take
part In the work of the projected confer
ence.
e. IAN entire freedom in the examination
J and discussion of the best means of stop
ping the excessive increase of existing ar
Z maments while assisting in the solution of
these very complex questions cannot help
i. but contribute to the establishment of
harmony between the powers, and conse-
: Quently to the practical reaiZations of the
magnanimous Intentions of his majesty
the car"
Then follows the circular addressed De-
cember 80, $685. by Count Muraveff, minis
ter of foreign affairs to the representatives
+ of foreign governments at the court of st.
Petersburg:
~ Last August, when my august master
ordered me to propose to the governments
whose representatives are in st. Peters
burg the reunion of a conference whose
object should be the research of the most
Z effcacious means Of securing to all peo-
pies the benefits of real and durable
peace, and above all to put an end to the
progressive development Of existing arma-
: ments, nothing seemed to oppose itself to
the more or less speedy realization of this
: humanitarian project
AZ. 1.-THE prompt reception given to this pro-
ceeding of the government by nearly all
the powers justifies the attempt. Highly
apprectating the sympathetic terms In
Ehch were expressed the agreement of
the greater part of the covenants, the
imperial cabinet has been able to collect
{ at the same time the testimony of the
warmest accord that were addressed to Ii
and that do not cease to arrive from all
classes OF society, In all parts of the civ
: tlized globe.
In spite of the great current of opinion
that was produced in favor of this idea of
general pacification, the political horizon
< mas changed sensibly recently. Several of
= the powers have forced themselves to In
crease still more their military forces. and
one Is forced to ask oneself if the powers
md the present moment opportune for the
discussion OF the ideas expressed in the
circular of August r.
stu hoping that the elements of trouble
tnat agitate the political world will soon
give place to more calm disposition and
one more OF nature to favor the success
OIL tne conference, the imperial government
. IS, Tor its part, of the opinion that 1t will
De possible to proceed at the present mo-
IN fs.~s.,
between the powers with the object
'ti "fa) To seek without delay the means of
x putting an end to the progressive increase
b. OF ornaments on land and sea- the solu-
: tion or which question becomes evidently
. more and more urgent In view of the new
-. extension given to these ornaments and
~ "(b) To prepare the way for discussion
OF questions bearing upon the possibility
OF. preventing armed conflicts by pacific
means which shall be at the disposal of
International diplomacy.
I'm case of the powers finding the ores
ent moment favorable for the convocation
So of q conference on these bases 1t will GER
tainly be useful to establish between the
cabinets an understanding on the subject
of the programme of its work.
The themes to be submitted to an In
ternational discussion in the bosom of the
conference may in a general way be sum-
med up as follows:
Il. An understanding stipulating the nom
Increase of the effective forces of land and
sea. for fixed term, together with the
budgets of war referring to it, prelim-
nary study of the means by which in the
future reduction of the aforementioned
forces and budget may be realized.
e. Introduction Of the putting In in
the army and navy new weapons of war of
any sort and Of new explosives, as well as
of more powerful powders than those now
for guns or for cannOnS.
80. Limitation of the use in military war;
fare Of explosives of formidable power
already In existence, and prohibition of the
throwing OF projectiles or Of explosives of
any sort from balloons or by any anal
ogous means.
~ The forbidding of the employing In
. naval battles of torpedo boats. submarine
or plungers or other engines Of destruc-
ton of the same nature; agreement not to
construct in the future the naval ships
with rams
f 80. Adaptation to the naval battles of
-