The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-09
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
sEATrIE, SUNDAY, july ..
RESULTS AT THE HAGUE.

SEATTLE, SUNDAY, JULY ..
RESULTS AT THE HAGUE.
1t II only = small step toward uniyer-
81 arbitration that = made In the Atty
three articles approved By the commit
tee OF the peace congress- al The Hague.
but 1t 10 a. much Of q step an would be
wise or would be likely 70 lead to the
Anal success Of arbitration principles
The Preferential tendency 10 not one
which can be hurried. and any attempt
20 crowd II by premature requirements
could result only In the breaking up OF
any tribunal that might be established
and the disereditins of the entire
scheme.
The articles ~ reported from the CON-
snittee are . very distinct and positive
acknowledgment Of the desire Of ma
lions to seek peaceable adjustment Of
controversies No such advanced posi-
ton has ever before been taken by ma
tons in concert. or. indeed. by nations
a individuals. Were there nothing
more In the proposed convention. the
purposes OF the congress would not be
futile, but the fact that the articles pro-
vide also the several processes by which
arbitration shall be approached and. il
possible, contaminated astests the earn
estness and the iihcraiity OF the men,
bership Of the congress and the pre-
paredness Of the principalities which
they represent to at least make tnitia-
tory experiments In the practicability
Of arbitration.
Mediation by dislnterested states is
net down as the first alternative OF con-
Dict. This necessarily carries no power
Of force and no persuasion other than
that of friendship. the committee hsv-
Ing prudentiy abstained from requiring
resort to mediation as first step In the
settlement of difficulties The matter is
left entirely within the election Of the
contestants. but is strongly recommend
ed for general adoption.
Where minor disputes arise. not In
vclying the vital interest or honor of
states. a commission TO make investiga-
ton OF facts and to report them for mu-
lual consideration is provided. 1t being
presumed. evidently. that an examina-
tion by impartial agents will facilitate
arrival ut anieahie understanding.
In difficulties which cannot be- ad-
3uEtea by mediation or by the report
CT the commission of investigation. re-
sort Is TO be taken TO arbitration. "the
signing Of the convention implying an
undertaking 10. submit In good faith 10
srhstrai Judgment" A permanent court
OF arbitration Is established. except in
cases where the parties to q controversy
desire special arbitration jurisdiction
This court Is To Sit at The Hague, the
sea; Of the present congress. Is TO be
the possesscr Of all archives. to act as
intermediary for communications be-
tween the respective powers. and Is 10
BE- supported by the powers Jointly In
the same manner tina; the universal pos
tai union Is supported.
The permanent court is TO consist OF
feur persons named by each party TO the
convention. the members 70 hold os,ice
for SIX wears. with the possibility az re-
appointment. From the LARGE number
az srssirators thus constantly avaiia~
bic participants in any controversy may
select one ar more according so their
desire. 10 &C. in their instance Ma}e~-
Ky and minority reports are 10 be sub
,mlstei by the tribunal. the agents ~
the counsel 81 the coasendsng parties
20 finally decide she matter at issue in
accordance with the majority report.
There Is nothing compulsory IN any
81 the articles Fer this reason doubt
less many critics will declare tire e
suits Of the congress 10 10 ssaiesisn:
20 So many wasted words II Is MT 81.
however. To have MADE arbitration
compulsory. as tire critics wau.s have
hai II. would have heen - sorca
erea the nations submission 10 an
international practice which Is a, nsst
emily an experiment ana which rnus:
PASS. probably. through many .nsas-
aeations aEa adaptations before II
can assume either satisfactory or per