The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-08-26
ARBITRATION NOT POPULAR.
Efforts to Settle Disputes BY That
Method in Europe Failed
in 175S.

It is of interest to learn that during
the seven years war it was proposed to
form a European court of arbitration.
But it is still more interesting to be-
come acquainted with the views OF the
greatest ruler Prussia ever possessed
with regard to that proposal 1t was IN
the third year of that war Tin 1859
when the conviction began to gain
ground in France that all efforts to con-
quer Prussia would be useless. The
battles of Prague, Eossbach and Leu
then had spoken too emphatically,
while France was being threatened by
England, in her colonies, in the Medi--
terranean 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 inter-
yene. He had to submit proposals to
the king and at the same time to en-
deavor to create the impression that
those proposals emanated FROM him
self, offering also to do the same 70
France. After the various conditions
for the reestablishment of peace had
been set out the document dated July
12, 1881, closed as follows:
"In order to make this peace lasting
and forever it is expressly determined
that in case quarrel or dispute should
arise, whether it be between the en-
press-queen, her heirs and successors,
and the king of Prussia and his heirs,
or the kings of Prussia and Poland,
none of the said powers should ever
take to arms, but that, by treaty, q
court of arbitration France, England,
| Sweden and Russia) be appealed to,
which in accordance with fairness, JUS
tice, customs and the imperial ccnstitu-
ton is to decide on those differences
and in such manner that the power
which attacks the other without wait
ing 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 viii intervene with
all their might and all their forces,
without being able to urge any excuse
for their release"
In his answer of July 2s the king
thanked the margrave for his good in.
tentions, but doubted whether or not
any benefit would come from those pro-
posals, as the chief causes of the wal
were not touched thereby, and con.
cluded by saying: Finally, must not
omit to observe that neither myself
nor the queen-empress could ever sub
NIT to court of arbitration as pro
posed by the project, which attacks di
rectly the rights of every ruler, would
bring in its train no end OF difficulties
and to which no sovereign power would
lend hand"
Once more the margrave, on Augus'
"a, after enumerating the various
points Of the proposed peace, reverted
to the question of arbitration. by say
ing:
i My intention was not to convey thai
: the proposed court of arbitration
should form the chief point; my view
is that the parties should have fre'
hand therefrom." This question of al
international court of arbitration wal
put aside. and the king wro;e in reply
sIf the French, Austrians and Russianl
have anything to say let them speal
out. but as far as ! am concerned ! shal
confne myself to defeating them AMI
being silent, r. Chicago Chronicle