The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-27
Only Some Recommendations to the
Governments Participating,
THE ARBITRATION COMMITTEE.
The President Urges Recourse To All
Pacific Means of Settling Intcrna-
tional Questions Before Resort
ing to War - Sub-COmmit-
tees Appointed 90 Facili-
tate the Work.

THE HAGUE. May 25.-lt can now be
stated with some degree of confidence
that the delegates 10 the Peace Confer
enco are gradually arriving at the belief
that the outcome will be very much what
Andrew j.. White. United States Ambas-
sador at Berlin and head Of the American
delegation here. forecasted 10 the cor
respondent Of the Associated Press in the
interview cabed to the United States last
Monday.
So far as armaments are concerned,
tho utmost that it is expected % accom-
piish is some slight recommendations to
the governments participating.
The various committees have now set
lied to work and the delegations have
begun formal exchange OF views.
PEACEFUL MEANS.
The Arbitration Committee met this
afternoon under the presidency Of the
chief Of the French delegation. Leon
Bourgeois who was hanked by the hon
orary presidents OF the cOmmittee-Sh
Julian Pauncef0te. chief OF the British
delegation. and Count Nigra. chief OF the
Italian delegation. NJ Bourgeois present
ed the questions Of mediation and arbi-
tratiOn and suggested "a programme the
committee might follow. urging recourse
to all pacific means 20 settle international
questions before q recourse 20 war.
Sir Julian Pauncefote proposed that
tho committee should Immediately pro-
ceed before an else 20 consider the Ques-
ton of a permanent tribunal OF arbitra-
tion. He did not however. submit any
plan and eventually withdrew his mo-
tion In view of the suggestions offered
by Count Nigra and others who urged
the wisdom of following the programme ot
the president IN which the question 0f
permanent tribunal follows tho general
subject OF arbitration.
NJ Bourgeois observed that the COM
mittec. by not opposing it, gave adhesion
10 the principle fayoring a peaceful solu-
ton of international questions before
recourse 10 arms.
TO FACILITATE WORK.
RECOGNIZING that the committee was
too large 10 consider the Russian pro-
posals NJ Bourgeois appointed the fol-
lowing subcommittee: Chevalier Des-
camps-D David. Of the Belgian delegation,
Professor Asser. privy councillor of the
Netherlands delegation, Baron Estour-
nelles de Constant. of the French dele
CATION. Frederick Hollis secretary of the
United States delegations Professor Maar-
tens. Of the Russian delegation; NJ. l..
Odeior. of tho Swiss delegation. and Dir.
ZOrn. Of the University Of kounssbefg,
representing the German delegation.
Sin Julian Pauncefote and Count Nigra
were appointed honorary presidents of
the subcommittee. and NJ Bourgeois and
NJ. p smal were empowered TO attend
its meetings
Great Importance is attached TO the
meetings held to-day and 10 the unani-
nous achievement Of the general princi-
pie of arbitration and mediation.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS.
LONDON. May 27-re correspondent Of
the Daily Telegraph an The Hague says.
Peace prospects touched high water
mark to-day when the conference found
itself face 10 face with arbitration In "a
practicable and acceptable form. and as
"a permanent international achievement.
This honor IS mainly due to Sir Julian
PaunceiOte When the members of the
arbitration section had finished reading
the Russian proposals on this subject. Sir
Julian expressed his complete approval
Of them but said II would be a great
pity if the conference failed TO embody
the principle OF arbitration I'm some per-
manent shape.
"I now beg 10 propose he said the
formal establishment of permanent ar
DlIftll0M ltlDANdls tIusf0Ntifi 10 AFttl
with all matters in dispute capable OF
reference TO the judgment Of an umpire.
/ do not intend 10 trouble you with de
tails as 10 its mechanism to-day nor
until you accept the principle Of my pro-
posal Therefore. I ask you 70 accept
the principle now
M Destaal at once declared Sir
Julian Pauncefote having presented Ms
proposal. we are prepared 10 supplement
and 10 complete the printed suggestions
lust distributed by others. dealing with
a permanent arbitration board.
"Thereup0n the Russian president OF
the conference drew a paper from his
pocket. and laid Il upon the table then
and there. The paper contained the
foundation of "A permanent tribunal sug-
gesting the substitution Of n new clause
and referring 10 an appeandiX not yet
drawn up The amazed delegates
crowded around Sir Julian. congratulat-
ing him upon having played the winning
card which had so uqickiy precipitalcd
The Russian alternative scheme. Some
stood aghast. as the matter was not
contemplated I'm their Instructions. Fin
ally it was decided to refer the matter
10 subcommittee
"The Americans. n is believed are
celebrating an organic statute for the
erection OF a permanent tribunal which
will probably be laid before. the confer
ence and be- supported By the British
delegates when the principle embodied
I'm Sir Julians resolution Is accepted"
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