The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-08
Provision Made for an international
Commission of Inquiry and a Per-
manent Court OF Arbfters.
LATTER TO SIT At THE HAGUE
Unless THE CONTENDING POWERS
CHOOSE ANOTHER PLACE.
Adjournment Taken for Ten Days to
Enable Delegates to Present the
Scheme to Their Governments.

4--
THE HAGUE, July THE third commit
tee, sitting this morning in the Huisten
Bosch. discussed the scheme for the media
ton and arbitration convention drawn up by
committee d'examin. Many Of the delegates
have only been acquainted. with the propo-
sails since yesterday. and have not had time
to consult their governments. Consequently
IL was decided that when the committee ad-
journed to-day 1t would be until Tuesday,
July IL. in order to allow the delegates
week in which to consult their governments
and receive final instructions. The scheme
Is headed Draft of the Convention for the
Pacific Settlement of International Con-
ficts." The first part deals with the main
te=snce Of general peace. the second part
with arbitration.
The reporter of the committee explained
lengthily the motives which inspired the
drafting committee in celebrating the
scheme. NJ. Bourgeois. head Of the French
delegation, thanked the reporter in warm
terms and congratulated him on his remark
able exposition. which, he said, would re-
main an official commentary on the provi-
sions formulated, both for the delegates and
for their governments.
During the discussion the plenary COM
mittee amended Article s so as to provide
that when powers between whom there is a
serious dispute accept mediation they cease
all direct relations in regard to the disputed
question, which shall be considered exclu-
sively referred to the mediatory powers.
Three additional paragraphs regarding the
permanent court were also adopted, at the
request of President Zorn of the German
delegation, Count Nigra Of the Italian dele
cation and Sir Julian Pauncefote. head of
the British delegation. as follows:
Members Of the permanent court shall
enjoy and exercise all the functions of diplo-
matte privileges and immunities.
THE bureau IS authorized to place its Of
fees and organization at the disposal of
the signatory powers for the proper exer-
else of any special arbitral jurisdiction.
THE sigratory powers undertake to COM
municate to the bureau a copy of any stipu-
lation 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.
The proposed convention without the
changes made to-day is as follows:
as far as possible recourse to force in in
ternational relations, the signatory powers
agree to use all endeavors to effect by pa
cific means a settlement OF the differences
which may arise among them.
Art. 2. The signatory powers decide that
IN cases Of serious difference or conflict
they will, before appealing to arms. have
recourse, so far as circumstances permit.
TO the good offices or mediation Of one or
several friendly powers
Art. 3. Independently OF this the sigma
tory powers deem 1t useful that several OF
the powers not committed to the arbitra-
ton scheme shall, on their own initiative,
offer, as far as circumstances permit. their
good Offices for mediation to the contending
states The right of offering their good
Offices belongs to the powers not connected
with the conflict even during the course of
hostilities, which act can never be regarded
IS an unfriendly act.
Art. 4. The part Of mediator consists
In reconciling conflicting claims and ap
peasing resentment which may have arisen
between contending states.
Art 5. The functions OF mediators cease
from the moment IL may be stated by one
OF the contencing parties or by the mediator
himself that the compromise or the basis
of an amiable understanding proposed by
him has not been accepted.
Art. 6. Good Offices and mediation have
the exclusive character OF counsel and are
devoid OF obligatory 70, q.
Art. T. The acceptance of mediation, I'M
less otherwise stipulated. may have the eff
feet OF interrupting the obligation OF pre-
pairing for war. II the acceptance SUPER
venes after the opening of hostilities. It
shall not interrupt. unless by a convention
OF contrary tenor. military operations that
may be proceeding.
Art. 8. The signatory powers agree in
recommending the application of special
mediation IN the event OF threatened inter-
ruption OF peace between members. Con-
tending states may each choose a power 10
which they will intrust the mission of en-
tering into a negotiation with a power
chosen by the other side with the object Of
preventing a rupture OF pacific relations or,
In the event OF hostilities. OF restoring peace.
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
Articles 0 TO II provide for the institu-
tion of an international commission OF in
quiry for the verification of facts In cases
Of minor disputes not affecting the vital
interest or honor OF states, but impossible
Of settlement by ordinary diplomacy The
sSRSts - go Soh4hAoS4Ou Will not
force an arbitral judgment, leaving the con-
tending parties full liberty TO either con-
ciude an amicaole arrangement on the basis
OF the report or have recourse ulteriorly
20 mediation or arbitration.
Articles IA to 10 set forth the general OBJ
5ects OF and BENEFITS II is hoped to de-
rive from the arbitration court and declare
signing the convention implies an UNDER
taking TO submit In good faith to arbitraI
Judgment.
Art. 20. With the object Of facilitating an