The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-06
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
The Position of the United states
Carefully Guarded.

The Position of the United states
Carefully Guarded.
In response to the invitation OF his
majesty, the emperor of Russia, delegates
from twcntysix countries were assembled
at The Hague on the 18th Of May as mem
bers Of conference in the interest OF
peace. The commission from the United
States consisted of Hon. Andrew d. White,
Hon. Seth Low, Hon. Stanford Newell,
Captain Alfred T. Mahan of the United
States navy, Captain william 7. Ciozief
OF the United States army and Hon. Fred
erick w. Hollis, secretary.
The occasion seemed to be opportune
for the serious consideration OF plan
for the pacific adjustment of International
difficulties, a subject In which the Amer
lean people have been deeply interested
for many years, and definite project Tor
permanent International tribunal was in
cluded In the instructions to the de egates
Of the United States.
The final act of the conference includes
conventions upon the amelioration of the
laws and customs of war on land. the
adaptation to maritime warfare of the
principles of the Geneva convention of
1864 and the extension of judicial methods
to International cases. The convention
Tor the pacific settlement OF International
conflicts embodies the leading features OF
the American plan with such notifications
us We're rendered necessary by the great
diversity of Views aud interests repre-
sented by the delegates. The four tlt,os
OF the convention provide for the main
tenance of general peace, the exercise of
good offices and mediation, the formation
Of committees of inquiry and interna-
tional arbitration
Inc mediation provided for by the con
vention is purely voluntary and advisory
ana is intended to avoid any invasion or
limitation of the sovereign rights OF the
adnerinE States The commission OF in
quiry proposed consists of delegations IN
De specifically constituted for particular
purposes by means of conventions between
inc contesting parties, having for their
OBJECT the clear understanding of interna-
tlonai differences before resorting to the
use of force.
The provision for arbitration contem-
Plates the formation of permanent trib
unal before which disputed cases NAV be
Drought FOR settlement by the mutual con-
Nehtlons OF the litigants in each separate
case. The advantages of such a perma-
nent tribunal over impromptu commits
slons OF arbitration are conceived to he
the actual existence of a competent court
prepared to administer justice the great-
er economy resulting from well devised
system ana the accumulated judicial skill
and experience which such tribunal
would soon possess.
While earnestly promoting the idea of
establishing permanent international
tribunal. the delegation of the United
states was not unmindful of the vexation
Which might arise from an obtrusive ex-
ercise OF mediation. and In signing the
convention. carefully guarded the historic
position OF the United States by the fol-
loving declaration: Nothing contained
IN this convention shall be SO construed as
10 require the United States of America
TO depart from its traditional policy OF not
intrauing upon, interfering with or en-
tahgllng itself in the political questions
or pollcy OF International administration
Oh any foreign state; nor shall ANYTHING
contained in the said convention be con-
strued TO imply a REIMBURSEMENT by the
United States of its traditional attitude to-
ward purely American questions"
Thus interpreted the convention for the
paclhc settlement of International con-
tests may be regarded as realizing the ear
nest desire OF great numbers of American
whose deep sense of Justice. en-
pressed In resolutions and memorials. has
urged them to labor for this noble achieve
ment. I
The general character OF the convention
already signed by the delegates OF more
than twenty sovereign States further com |
mends 1t to the favorable action of the
senate of the United States. whose ratifi-
ft.Na ~. II