Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-27
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot.)

The Hague, May 26.-It can now be
stated with some degree of confidence
that the delegates to the Peace Confer
ence are gradually arriving at the be-
lief that its outcome will be very much
what Andrew ID. White, United States
Ambassador at Berlin, and head OF the
American delegation here, -foroeasted
to the correspondent of the Associated
Press in the Interview cabled to the
United States last Monday.
SO far as ornaments are concerned,
the utmost that 1t is expected to ac-
complsh Is some slight recommended
tions to the governments participating.
The various committees have now
settled to work and the delegates have
begun a formal exchange of views.
ARBITRATION.
The arbitration committee met this
afternoon, under the presidency of the
chief of the French delegation. Leon
Bourgeois who was flanked by the
honorary presidents of the committee,
Sir Julian Pauncefotc. chief of the
British delegation. and Count Nlgra
chief Of the Italian delegation. Nj.
Bourgeois presented the questions of
mediation and arbitration, and sug-
SeSteu IL proBruIn tne committee might
lollow urging recourse to oil pacific
means to settle international questions
before n recourse to war.
PAUNCEFOTE'S PROPOSITION
Sir Julian Pauncefote proposed that
the committee should Immediately pro-
ceed before all else, to consider the
question of permanent tribunal OF ar
bitraton. I've did not, however, sub
NIT any plan, and eventually withdrew
his motion. in view of the suggestions
offered by Count Nigra and others. who
urged the wisdom of following the pro-
gram Of the President, in which the
question of Il permanent tribunal fol-
lows the general subject of arbitra-
ton.
NJ. Bourgeois observed that the COM
mittee. by net opposing 1t, gave adhe-
sion 10 the principle favorng n peace
full solution of international questions
before recourse to arms.
Recognizing that the committee was
too large To consider the Russian pro-
poeals. NJ. Bourgeois appointed the fol-
lowing subcommittee: Chevalier Des-
camps David. of the Belgian delega-
ton; Prof. Asser privy councillor of
the Netherlands delegation Baron Es-
t1urrcllcs de Constant, OF the French
delega.ion; Frederick Hollis. secretary
OF the United States delegation; NJ.
Lammassch, of the Austro- Hungarian
delegation; Prof. Martens. of the Rus
sian delegation; NJ. L. Oder, of the
Swiss delegation. and DR.. Zorn, Of the
University of Konlgsberg, representing
the German delegation.
ARBITRATION ACCEPTED.
Sir Julian Pauncefote and Count
Nigra were appointed honorary presi-
dents Of the subcommittee, and M.
Bourgeois and NJ. de Staal were EN-.
powered to attend it's meetings.
Great Importance is attached to the
meetings held to-day, and to the unan-
imous acceptance of the general prin-
ciple of arbitration and mediation.
DAILY TELEGRAPH'S STORY.
London. May 27.-The correspondent
of the Daily Telegraph at The Hague.
says:
Peace prospects touched high water
mark to-day when the conference found
itself face to face with arbitration in
practicable and accepta BILE form, and
as permanent international achieve
ment. This honor is mainly due to Sir
Julian Pauncefote. When the members
of the Arbitration section had finished
reading the Russian proposals OF this
subject. Sir Julian expressed his COM
plete approval of them, but said it
would be great pity if the Confed-
eracy failed to embody the principle of
arbitration In some permanent shape
" I now beg to PROPOSE" he said. the
formal establishment of q permanent
arbitration tribunal, empowered to deal
with all matters In dispute capable of
reference to the Judgment of an umpire.
do not intend to trouble you with de-
tails as to its mechanism to-day, nor
until you accept the principal of my
proposal. Therefore. ask you to ac-
cept the principle now.
IN do St,aal at once declared: Sir
Julian Pauncefote having presented his
proposal, we are prepared to supple
ment and to complete the printed sug-
gcstlons just distributed by others,
dealing with permanent arbitration
board
'Thereupon the Russian president OF
the conference drew a paper from his
pocket and laid it upon the table then
and there. The paper contained the
foundation of a permanent tribunal
suggesting the substitution of n new
clause and referring TO an appendix no,
yet drawn up. The amazed delegates
crowded around Sir Julian, congratu-
latng him upon having played the
winning card which had go quickly
anticipated the Russian alternative
scheme Some stood aghast. as the
matter was not contemplated In their