The evening times., 1899-03-23
AGAINST DISARMAMENT.
Instructions to the American Dele
gates to the Cxar's Conference.

Instructions to the American DeIe-
gates to the Cxar's Conference.
There is reason to believe that an impor-
tant proposition looking to the settlement
of international disputes by arbitration
will be advanced at the coming disarma-
ment conference by the American dele
gates.
1t is learned ON good authority that the
credentials for and instructions to the
American delegates are now being prepared
by Secretary Hay, and will be ready for
submission to the President for his appro-
val when he returns to Washington from
his Southern trip. These instructions will
be complete exposition of the attitude OF
this Government on the question OF d1sar-
mament and arbitration.
Sir Julian Pauncefote has been advised OF
his appointment as senior member OF the
British delegation. The British minister
to The Hague will also be member. M.
de Staael, the Russian Ambassador TO
Great Britain and leading representative OF
the Car at the conference, will be assisted
by Prof. Martens, professor of international
law in the University of st. Petersburg,
and probably by the Russian Minister to
The Hague.
Following the policy which is seems like
ly that all the nations will adopt. President
Mckinley will accredit the Minister to the
DIS Oue vi tIC uCic6deSo' 1hAA
bassadors White and Tower will probably
be the other members of the American
delegation.
1t was explained by diplomat having
| knowledge of the present programme OF
the Russian government that upon the as
semblage of the delegates a committee
will be appointed to determine the sub
| jects to come before the conference and
the order in which they shall be consid-
cred
So far as the proposition for a general
disarmament of the nations of the world
| is concerned, it will be the duty OF the
! American delegates to explain and to show
| that the United States, both from mill
tary and a naval standpoint, is far below
| the armament 1t should have; and besides
| it was explained that this Government
| does not intend to hamper in any way
| the inventive faculty OF the people OF this
country. Nor is it expected that Great
Britain will do so. In fact the most inn
portant result which the officials expect OF
| the conference will be the adoption of some
/ plan for the reference of disputes TO gen.
/ eraf arbitration, and the United States will
| have a plan of this character, as well as
| other nations.
| The Administration is strongly in favor
of arbitration as the means for the settle
ment of disputes between nations. and,
while it appreciates that there are num-
| ber of controversies that can only be set
| tied by war. it is still believed that many
questions which arise and are causes OF
| much friction can be arbitrated. The
President is committed TO international ar
| bitration by his inaugural address and by
| subsequent declarations, but his admins
| tration has not attempted to negotiate ar
! bitration treaties-for one reason. because
| of the imminence Of war with Spain and the
| occurrence of the war. In view of the
assembling of the conference at The Hague
! il is thought by the officials that the time
| has come when the Administration can put
| itself on record before the world as favor
| ing arbitration.