Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-31
RUSSIAN PROPOSALS
For Mediation and Arbitration as Presented
to the Peace Conference.

The Hague. May 30.-The Nadertand
prints. today, the text of the Russian
proposals regarding the mediation and
arbitration.
Part l deals with the desirability Of
seeking a solution Of international dis
putes by the mediation of friendly pow
ers and sets forth that such good Of
fees will be sought or proffered, shall
bear strictly the character Of friendly
council and in no way compulsory
force.
Part deals with international arbi-
tration which it declares. the most eff
ficacious and equitable means of set
Ting questions regarding the internal
tional application Of treaties
The contracting powers. therefore.
should undertake to seek arbitration
in such cases. so far as these affect
neither vital interests nor the national
honor Of the parties in dispute. Then.
after setting forth that each state re-
mains the sole judge Of what cases are
50 to he submitted to arbitration it is
suggested that a large number of cases.
such as questions of pecuniary dam
age and diSagreements in the appllca-
ton Of treaties ana conventions affect
ing commercial. postal. navigation,
currency. sanitary and copyright mat
ters and the like not affecting vital in
terrsts or national honor are those in
which arbitration should be obligatory.
In all other cases, says the Russian
scheme. arbitration should be recon-
mended by the present act, can only
be applied on the spontaneous initia-
tive Of one Of the parties in dispute
and with the express consent Of the
other parties.
The closing cause provides as fall
lows: with a view of facilitating re-
course to arbitration, the signatory
powers agree to formulate a common
ARRANGEMENT for the employment of IN
ternational arbitration and for the
fundamental principles to be observed
in drawing up rules Of procedure to be
followed pending inquiry into the dis
pute and the pronOuncement OF the ar
hitratory decision. The application Of
these principles and procedure may pc
modified in virtue of special arrange
ments between the states which may
have recourse to arbitration"
Part 3 deals with an international
commission of inquiry. 1t provides as
follows:
TN case Of divergence causing inter-
national litigation on local circum.
stances. which cannot be settled by or
binary diplomatic means, but do not
involve honor or vital interests, the
governments Interested agree to instl-
tute an international commission of in
ouirv to investigate impartialIy I'll
ouestions Of fact. Each government
-bo annpiDt members
of the commission. Those four shall
arpoint two members Of the comlnis-
sion. These four shall choose a nftA'
who shall be president of the commas
sion. If the votes are divided, as 10
this. an appeal shall be made TO an
other government or to third party
TO appoint a president.
.After the investigation the commits
sim shall submit a report signed by an
tha members to the governments inter-
estad The report shall in no wise nave
tho character Of an arbitration 1uds-
Mani hit shall leave the conflicting
nortias at full liberty either TO con-
cI,,de friendly arrangement on the OASIS
~ said report. or to have recourse 70
o,hitration by concluding an agree
r,art ad hoe. or else by resortlng TO
active measures allowable in the mu-
Hal relations between nations.
The Russian proposals are dol q0ced,, os
on r hes states interested that h haye aecep
~ 81 ~ clearly setting forth th22
questions be qrPitTaifSsd a Thd c c6G
facts conn c1ncIuded may provide for
Minis ne T casgd %slfy de S
mined. ,,s Interested NAV en-
~ ne ne f,mctions of arbitration either
70 q SoVefeisna HAN Such tribunal shall
ha , h@id in the same manner ,ic al comm r
ons Of ndhry aPd ar # aGP as p pre.
n Gho2sl'l a,her powers shall be asked by
e Comm ne e aPPS s OqobSssa asa
continued on page A.