The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-06
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
Results Obtained at the Gathering Of
Nations at The Hague.

T. In response to the invitation of his
majesty, the emperor of Russia, dele
gates from twenty-six countries were
assembled at The Hague on the 18th
lof May, as members of a conference in
THE interest of peace. The commission
from the United States consisted OF the
/ Hon. Andrew White. the Hon Seth
Low, the Hon. Stanford Newell, Cap
l,tain Alfred T. Hahan, of the United
States navy; Captain William 7. Gro
zier, of the United States army, and
s1he Hon. Frederick w. Hollis. secretary
The occasion seemed to be opportune
for the serious consideration of plan
for the pacific adjustment of interna-
tional differences, a subject in which
the American people have been deeply
interested for many years, and def
mite project for a permanent interna-
tional tribunal was included in the in
structions to the delegates from the
United States.
& The final act of the conference in
cludes convention upon the ameliora-
ton of the laws and customs OF war on
land, the adaptation TO maritime war
fare of the principles of the Geneva
convention of 1864 and the extension of
judicial methods 20 international con-
| flicts embodies the leading features OF
the American plan, with such modihea-
lions as were rendered necessary by
ests represented by the delegates.
The four titles of the convention pro-
vide for the continuance of general
peace, the exercise of good offices and
mediation. the formation of commits
sions of inquiry and international arbi-
tration
The mediation provided for by the
convention is purely voluntary and ad-
visory and is intended to avoid any in
Of fr,.ir rat of :
of the adhering states. The commits
sions cn inquiry proposed consist of
delegations to be specifically conSti-
tuted for particular purposes by means
of conventions between the contesting
parties. having for their object the clear
understanding of International differ
ences before resorting to the use OF
force.
The provision for arbitration con-
templates the formation of a perma-
nent tribunal before which disputed
cases may be brought for settlement
by the mutual consent of the litigants
in each separate case.
The advantages of such a permanent
tribunal over impromptu commissions
of arbitration are conceived to be ac-
tual existence of a competent court.
prepared to administer justice, the
greater economic resulting from wei
devised system. and the accumulated
judicial skill and experience which such
tribunal would soon possess. While
earnestly promoting the idea of estab-
fishing a permanent international tri-
bunal, the delegation of the United
States was not unmindful of the incon-
veniences which might arise from an
obtrusive exercise of mediation, and in
signing the convention carefully guard
ed the historic position of the United
States by the following declaration:
Nothing contained in this convention
shall be so construed as to require the
United States of America to depart
from it's traditional policy of not in
truding upon. Interfering with. CT en-
tangling Itself in the political questions
or policy of international administra-
ton of any foreign state; nor shall
anything contained in the said cOnven-
ton be construed TO imply n relinduish-
menf by the United States OF America
of its traditional attitude toward purely
American questions"
Thus interpreted, the convention for
the pacific settlement of international
conflicts may be regarded as realizing
the earnest desire of great numbers of
Americans citizens whose deep serse OF
Justice expressed in numerous resolu-
tons and memorials has urged them TO
labor for this noble achievement. The
general character OF this convention al
ready signed by the delegates of more
than twenty sovereign states, further
commends it to the favorable action OF
the senate of the United States, whose
ratification it still awaits.