The Indianapolis journal., 1899-05-31
THE PEACE CONFERENCE
Russia's Arbitration and Mediation
PROPOSALS Made Public.

THE HAGUE, May 30.-The Brussels con-
ference section of the International Peace
Congress, after adopting the second read
ing of Articles 23 to "a, which deal with pris-
oners of war, discussed questions relating
to flags of truce, capitulation and armis-
tices as contained in Articles AZ to 52, In
elusive upon which an agreement was
reached. The Red Cross section considered
the extension Of the Geneva convention to
naval warfare and adopted slight modihca-
tons of the articles relating to material,
leaving the other two categories. general
and as to personal, for future consideration.
Het Vaderland prints to-day the text OF
the Russian proposals regarding mediation
and arbitration. Part deals with the de-
STABILITY of seeking a solution OF interna-
tional disputes by the mediation of friendly
powers, and sets forth that such good Of
fees, whether sought or proffered, shall
bear strictly the character of friendly coun-
sci and in no way of compulsory force.
Part deals with international arbitration,
which it declares "the most efficacious and
equitable means of settling questions re-
garding the internal application of treaties.
The contracting powers, therefore. should
undertake to seek arbitration in such cases,
so far as these effect neither vital interests
ror the national honor of the parties in dis
pute Then, after setting forth that each
state remains the sole judge of what cases
are so to be submitted to arbitration, it is
suggested that large number of cases,
such as questions of pecuniary damage and
eisagreements in the application of treaties
or conventions affecting commercial, postal.
navigation, currency, sanitary and copyright
matters and the like not affecting vital in
terests or national honor. are those In which
arbitration should be obligatory. In all other
cases, says the Russian scheme, arbitration
though recommended by the present act.
can only be applied on the spontaneous In
itiative of one of the parties in dispute and
with the express consent of the other par
ties. The closing clause provides as follows:
with a view of facilitating recourse TO ar
bitration. the signatory powers agree TO for
muate a common arrangement for the en-
p!oyment of international arbitration and
for the fundamental principles to be OBJ
served in drawing up rules of procedure to
be followed pending inquiry into the dispute
and the pronouncement of the arbitrators'
decision. The application Of these principles
and procedure may be modified in virtue OF
special arrangements between the states
which may have recourse TO arbitration" !"
Part 8 deals with an international COM
mission of inquiry. 1t provides as follows:
I'm cases of divergence causing interna-
tional litigation on local circumstances
which cannot be settled by ordinary diplo-
matte means, but do not involve honor or
vital interests. the governments interested
agree to institute an international commits
| sion of inquiry to investigate impartially
all questions of fact. Each government In
/ ferassa6 shall annoiuf two pnarnhers Of tha
| commission. These four shall choose fifth,
| who shall be president Of the commission
| II the votes are divided as to this an appeal
| shall be made to another government or to
third party to appoint president. After