The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-06

cent years. \ feature of this exhibit
which Is likely to become OF permanent
and increasing utility to our Industries,
Is the collection of samples of mer-
chandise products In the various coun-
tries with special reference to particu-
lar markets, providing practical OBJ
Ject lessons to United States manufac-
turers, as to qualities styles and prices
OF goods such as met the special de-
mands of consumers and may be ex-
ported with advantage.
In connection with tho exposition on
International commercial congress was
heId upon the invitation of The Phila-
delphla Commercial Museum. trans
ported by the secretary Of state 20 the
various foreign governments for an
eXchangc of information and opinions
with the view to tho promotion Of in
ternational trade. This invitation met
with general and cordial acceptance
ana the congress, which began it's ses-
Sions ct the exposition of the 18th of
october proved to he of great prac-
teal Importance from the fact that
II developed q general recognition OF
the independence of nations in trade
and most gratifying spirit Of ac-
commodation with reference to the
gradual removal of existing iinped-
ments to reciprocal relations without
injury to the industrial interests Of
either party.
The Peace Conference.
In response to the invitation OF his
majesty, the emperor of Russia, dele
gates from twenty-six countries were
assembled at The Hague on the 18th
of May, as members of u conference
in the interests of peace. The COM
mission from the United States con-
sisted of the Hon. Andrew u. White
the Hon. Seth Low. the Hon. Stanford
t,s, n.
United states navy. Captain William
Crosier. of the United States army,
and the Hon. Frederick w. Hollis, sec
retary.
The occasion seemed TO be oppor-
tune for the serious consideration IT
a plan for the pacific adjustment Of in
ternational differences, subject In
which the American people have been
deeply interested for many wears, and
a definite project for a permanent in.
| ternational tribunal was included in
| the Instructions to the delegates of
| the United States. The final act of the
| conference includes conventions upon
| the amelioration of the law; and Gus
toms of war on land. the adaptation 10
maritime warfare of the principles of
! the Geneva convention of 1864 and the
| extension of judicial methods to in
| ternational cases The convention for
! the pacific settlement of International
| conflicts embodics the leading features
! of the American plan with such modi-
| fications as were rendered necessary
| by the great diversity of views and
| interests represented by the delegates,
| The four titles of the convention pro-
vide for the maintenance of general
peace, the exercise of good offices and
| mediation the formation of commits
| eions of inquiry and international arbi-
| tration.
The mediation provided for by the
| convention is purely voluntary and ad-
visory, and is intended to avoid any in
yasion or limitation of sovereign rights
! Of the adhering states. The commits
sions of inquiry proposed consist OF
| delegations to be specifically cCnstitut-
! ed for particular purposes by means or
| conventions between the contesting
| Darties, having for their object the
clear understanding of international
| differences before resorting to the use
of force. The provision for arbitra-
ton contemplates the formation of
permanent tribunal before which dis
| puted cases may be brought for set
| tlement by the mutual consent of the
ltigants in each separate case. The
advantages of such permanent trib-
unal over mpromptu commissions of
arbitration are conceived to be the ac-
| feasibility of a competent court, pre-
! pared to administer juvice, the greater
| economy resulting from a well devised
| system, and the accumulated judicial
| skill and experience which such trib-
unal would soon possess.
While earnestly promoting the idea
of establishing permanent interna-
tional tribunal the delegation of the
United States was not unmindful of
the inconvenience which might arise
from an obtrusive exercise of media
tion and in signing the convention
carefully guarded the historical position
of the United States by the following
declaration: Nothing contained in
this convention shall be so construed
as to require the United States of
America to depart from its traditional
policy of not intruding upon, interfer-
ing with, or entangling itself in the pO-
litical questions or policy or internal
administration of a foreign state nor
shall anything contained in said con-
vention be construed to imply a re-
linquishment by the United States of
America of its traditional attitude to-
wards purely American questions"
Thus interpreted, the convention for
the pacific settlement of international
conflicts may be regarded as realizing
the earnest desire of great numbers
of American citizens, whose deep sense
| of Justice, expressed in numerous reso-
lutions and memorials, has urged them
to labor for this noble achievement
The general character of this cOnven-
tion already signed by the delegates
of more than twenty sovereign states
further cOmmends it to the favorable
action Of the senate of the United
States, whose ratification 1t awaits.
The Army.
Since my last annual message, and in
obedience to the acts of the congress OF
April 22 and %, 1898, the remaining
volunteer force enlisted for the Span
ish war, consisting of 34S34 regulars
and llO,2O2 volunteers, with over 5,00C
volunteer officers, has been discharged
from the military service. OF the vol
unteers, 667 officers and 14,S21 mer
were serving in the Philippines, and
1850 of the regulars who were entitled
to he mustered out after the ratifiCa-
ton of the treaty of peace. They vol
unfairly remained at the front unit
their places could be filed by new
troops. They were returned home in
the order in which they went to Ma
nila and are now all of them out OF
the service and in the ranks of citizen,
snip. | recommend that the congress
provide a special medal of honor fol
the volunteers, regulars, sailors ant
marines on duty i'm the Philippines VIII.
voluntarily remained in the service af.
ter their terms of enlistment had eX.
pired.
by the act Of March >. 1899. congress,
gave authority to increase the regular
army 10 a maximum not Needing g.,
900 enlisted men and to enlist a fore,
or 10000 volunteers. 10 be recruitey
irom the country at large. BY virtue
OF this authority the regular army ha,
been increased to the number of 81, 90
enlisted men and 22iS officers and new
volunteer regiments have organized
aSgregatinG 23,0j0 enlisted men and I,
a2l Oihcers, two of these VOluntea
regiments are made up of coIored mon