The San Francisco call., 1899-07-08


= News says that owing TO the dis =
= appointment of Emperor Nicho- =
= las in the results Of the Peace =
4 Conference the position of Count y
= Muravieff, the Russian Foreign
4 Minister, is said to be severely =
shaken.
= = = y = = = =
THE HAGUE July THE third
committee. sitting this morning at the
Huis Ten Bosch. discussed the scheme
for mediation and arbitration drawn up
by the Comite d d'EXamin. Many of the
delegates have only been acquainted
with the proposals since yesterday, and
they have not had time to consult their
Governments. Consequently it was de-
cided that when the cOmmittee ad-
iourned to-day it would be until July
L. in order to allow the delegates a
week in which TO consult their Govern
ments and receive final instructions.
The scheme is headed Draft of conven-
tion for the pacific settlement of in
ternational conflicts" The first part
deals with the maintenance of general
peace; the second part with arbitra-
ton.
The reporter of the committee ex-
planned lengthily the motives which in
spired the drafting committee in elabo-
rating the scheme.
VI. Bourgeois, head of the French
delegation. thanked the reporter in
warm terms and congratulated him
upon his remarkable exposition. The
sitting was then adjourned until July
Il.
During the discussion the plenary com
mi ~ as n O.
vide that when powers between whom
there is a serious dispute accept media
tion they cease all the relations in regard
10 the disputed question, which shall be
considered exclusively referred to the me-
didtory powers.
Three additional paragraphs regarding
the permanent court were also adopted at
the request of President Zorn of the Ger
man delegation: Count Ntgra. head of the
Italian delegation, and Sir Julian Paunce-
fote. head of the British delegation, as
Members of the permanent court
should enjoy and exercise all the funC-
tions OF diplomatic privileges and immuni-
ties. The bureau is authorized 10 place
its offices and organization at the disposal
of the SignatOry powers for the proper
exercise of any special arbitral jurisdiC-
ton. The SignatOrY powers undertake to
communicate to the bureau a copy of any
stipulation regarding arbitration decided
between them and all judgments of the
permanent court and they undertake to
communicate TO the bureau the laws.
regulations and documents setting forth
the execution of judgments pronounced
by the court"
The proposed convention without the
changes adopted to-day is as follows:
Article With the object Of preventing as
far as possible, recourse to force in iuterna-
tional relations the signatory powers agree to
all endeavors TO effect by pacific means
settlement Of differences which may arise
Article 2-The signatory powers decide that
In cases Of serious difference or conflict they
will before appealing to arms, have recourse
good Offices or mediation Of one or several
friendly powers
Article Independently of this the signatory
powers deem it useful that several of the pow
CTS not committed to the arbitration scheme
shall. their own initiative, offer, as far as
circumstances permit their good Offices for
mediation to the contending states. The right
uf Offering their good offices belongs to powers
not connected with the conflict. even during
be regarded as unfriendIy.
Article THE part of mediator. consists in
reconciling conflicting claims and appeasng re-
sentiment which may have arisen between con-
Article The functions of mediators cease
from the moment it may be stated by one
of the coutending parties or by the mediator
hlmseIi that the compromise or basis of an
amicaole understanding proposed by him has
Article Good offices and mediation have
the exclusion character OF counsel and de-
void Of obligatory power.
Article THE acceptance of mediation. un-
less otherwise stipulated may have the effect
of interrupting the obligation of preparing for
opening of hostilities it shall not interrupt ex-
cept bv convention Of contrary tenor, mill
tary operations that may be proceeding
Article s-The signatory powers agree in
recommending the application of special media
ton IN the event or threatened interruption of
peace between members. Contending states
may each choose a oower to which they will
entrust the mission OF entering into nego-
tiatiOn with a power chosen by the other side
with the object of preventing a rupture of
pacific relations, or in the event Of hostlities,
OF restoring peace
Articles 9 to "A provide for the institution of
an international commission Of inquiry for the
verifcation Of facts in cases Of minor dis
putes not affecting the vital interest or honor
Of states but impossible of settlement by or
dinary diplomacy. The report Of an inquiry
commission viii not force arbitral judgment
leaving the ccntending parties full liberty to
either conclude an amicable arrangement on
the basis Of the report, or have recourse uIte-
riorly to mediation or arbitration
Articles a to 10 set forth the general objects
Of and benefits 1t is hoped TO derive from the
arbitration court, and declare that signing the
convention implies undertaking to submit
in good faith to arbitral judgment
Article 20With the object of facilitating an
immediate recourse to arbitration for interna-
tional differences not regulated by diplomatic
means the signatory powers undertake to or
ganize In the following manner a permanent
court of arbitration accessible al all times and
exercising SIS functions, unless otherwise
stipulated between the cOntending parties in
conformity with the rules of procedure in
serted in the present convention.
Article 21-This court is to have competency
in all arbitration cases, unless the contending
tablishment of a special arbitration jurisdic-
Article 22-An international bureau establish
ed at The Hague and placed under the direc-
ton of q permanent secretary general will
serve the office of the court. 1t will be
the Intermediary for communications concern
ing meetings. The court is to have the Gus
tody of archives and the management of all
administrative affairs.
Article 23-Each OF the signatory powers
shall appoint within three months of the rati-
fcaton OF the present article not more than
four persons Of recognized competence in ques-
tions of international law, enjoying the high
est moral consideration and prepared to accept
the functions of arbitrators. The persons thus
nominated viii be entered members of the
fynf will he r1r,a,1r, r,fca bty
the bureau to all the signatory powers Any
modification of the list will be brought by the
bureau to the knowledge of the sgnatory
movers Two or powers may agree to-
gether regarding the nomination of one or
more members and the same person may be
chosen bv the different powers. Members of the
court are to be appointed for the term of six
years The appointments are renewable. In
case of death or resignation of a member of
the court the vacancy is to be filled in ac
cordance with the regulations made for the
original nomination.