The times., 1899-07-04
ARBITRATION IN 175s.
Frederick the Greats Objections to
the French Proposition.
(From the London Post.)


In connection with the meeting of the
Peace Conference. it is of interest to learn
that during the Seven Years War it YVES
proposed TO form European court OF "a
bitration. But it is still more interesting
to become acquainted with the views of
the greatest ruler Prussia ever possessed
with regard to that proposal It was in
the third year of that war lin 1851 when
the conviction began to gain ground in
France that all efforts to conquer Prussia
would be useless. The battles of Prague.
Ros5baeh. and Leuthen had spoken too
emphatically, while France was being
threatened by England. in her colonies. in
the Mediterranean. and even along her
coasts. The resolution was. therefore.
formed at Paris to submit proposals OF
peace to the King, but, owing to the fact
that France was the ally of Austria, it was
impossible to do so in direct way.
A circuitous. method was adopted. the
Margrave OF Ansbach. the brother-in law
of the King, being asked to intervene. He
had TO submit proposals to the King and
at the same time to endeavor to create
the impression that those proposals eua-
mated from himself. offering also to do the
same TO France. After the various con-
ditions for the re-establishment of peace
had been set out the document dated July
u, 1851 closed as follows:
In order to make this peace lasting and
forever, it is expressly determined that
in case quarrel or dispute should arse
whether il be between the Emp-ss-
Queen, her heirs and successors, and tn
King of Prussia and his heirs. or tho
Kings of Prussia and Poland. none o; the
said powers should ever take to arms. but
that, by treaty. a court of arbitration
Trance, England. Sweden, and Russial
be appealed to, which, in accordance with
fairness, Justice customs and the Impe-
rial Constitution, Is to decide, on those
differences. and in such manner that the
power which attacks the other without
waiting for the decision of the court OF
arbitration is to be constrained by it to
make immediate compensation, for which
purpose the powers forming the court OF
arbitration will intervene with all their
might and all their forces. without being
able 10 urge any excuse for their release"
In his answer of July 2S the King thank
ed the MargTave for his good Intentions.
but doubted whether or not any benefit
would come from those proposals. as the
chief causes of the war were not touched
thereby. and concluded by saying: Fin
ally l must not omit to observe that
neither myself nor the Queen Empress
could ever submit to a court of arbitration
as proposed by the project. which attacks
directly the rights of every ruler. would
bring in its train no end of difficulties. and
to which no sovereign power would lend a
hand
Once more the Margrave. on August "a.
after enumerating the various points OF
the proposed peace reverted TO the ques-
tion of the court of arbitration, by saying:
My intention was not to convey that
the proposed court of arbitration should
form the chief point; my view is that the
parties should have free hand there
from" This question of an international
court of arbitration was put aside. and the
King wrote in reply: IF the French. Aus
trians. and Russians have anything to say
let them speak out but as far as l am
concerned, l shall coRfine myself to de-
featicg them and being SILENT