Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-27

MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION.

ItE HAGUE, May 2b.-lt can now De
stated with some degree of confidence
that the delegates TO the peace confer
ence are gradually arriving at the belief
that its outcome will be very much what
Andrew d. White, United States Ambas-
sador at Berlin, and head Of the American
delegation here, forecasted to the COR
respondent of the Associated Press in
the interview cabled to the United States
last Monday.
So far as ornaments are concerned. the
utmost that it is expected to accomplish
is some slight recommendations to the
governments participating
The various committees have now set
tied TO work, and the delegates have be-
gun a formal exchange of views.
ARBITRATION.
The Arbitration Committee met this af-
ternoon, under the presidency of the chief
Of the French delegation, Leon Bourgeois,
dents Of the committee, Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, chief of the British delegation,
and Count Nigra. chief of the Italian
delegation. NJ. Bourgeois presented the
questions of mediation and arbitration,
and suggested a programme the COM
mittee might follow, urging recourse to all
pacific means to settle international ques-
lions before recourse TO war.
Sir Julian Pauncefote proposed that the
committee should Immediately proceed,
I,f ill Il. i, h, OF
a permanent tribunal of arbitration. He
did not, however submit any plan, and
eventually withdrew his motion, in view
of the suggestions offered by Count Nlsra
and others. who urged the wisdom Of fol-
lowing the programme of the president,
in which the question of permanent
tribunal follows the general subject Of
arbitration.
NJ. Bourgeois observed that the com
mittee, by not opposing 1t, gave adhesion
to the principle favoring a peaceful solu-
ton of international questions before a
recourse to arms.
SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTED.
Recognizing that the committee was too
large TO consider the Russian proposals,
VI. Bourgeois appointed the following sub
committee: CheValier Deschamps- David.
Of the Belgian delegation, Professor AS
ser. privy councillor of the Netherlands
delegation; Baron EstOurneles de Con-
slant. of the French delegation; Freder-
lex Hollis, secretary Of the United States
delegation; NJ. Lammassch, Of the Austro-
hungarian delegation; Professor Maar-
tens. of the Russian delegation; NJ. r..
Odeler. OF the Swiss delegation, and DR..
Iorn, of the University Of KOnigsberg
representing the German delegation.
Sir Julian Pauncefote and Count Nigra
were appointed honorary presidents of the
Subcommittee, and NJ Bourgeois and NJ.
de Staal We're empowered TO attend its
meetings.
Great Importance is attached 10 the
meetings held to-day and to the unani-
nous achievement on the general princi-
PIE Of arbitration and mediation.
PEACE PROSPECTS GOOD.
LONDON. May 27--The correspondent
Of the Daily Telegraph at the Hague
says: peace prospects touched high
water mark to-day. when the conference
found itself face-to-face with arbitration
in a practicable and acceptable form, and
as 4 permanent international achieve
ment. This honor is mainly due 10 Sir
Julian PaunCefote.
when the members Of the arbitration
section had finished reading the Russian
proposals on this subject. Sir Julian eX-
pressed his complete approval Of them.
but said it would be a great pity if the
conference failed 10 emb0dy the prlnci-
pie OF arbitration in some permanent
shape.
ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL.
81 now beg to propose he said. the
formal establishment Of permanent ar
bitratiOn tribunal, empowered To deal
with al matters in dispute capable of
reference to the judgment of an umpire.
| do not intend TO trouble you with de-
tails as TO its mechanism to-day, nor
until you accept the principle OF my pro-
pOsal. Therefore, | ask you to accept the
principle now
M DeStaal at once declared: Sir Jul
liam Pauncefote having presented his pro-
pOsal. we are prepared to supplement
and to complete the printed suggestions
Just distributed by others. dealing with
a permanent arbitration board
THE WINNING CARD.
"ThereupOn the Russian president of
the conference drew a paper from his
pocket and laid it upon the table then
and there. The paper contained the
foundation of a permanent tribunal, suS-
costing the substitution Of a new clause.
and referring 10 an appendix not yet
drawn up. The amazed delegates crowded
around Sir Julian, congratulating him
upon having played the winning card,
which had so quickly precipitated the
Russian alternative scheme Some stood
aghast. as the matter was not contem-
plated in their instructions. Finally IL
was decided to refer the matter to a
subcommittee.
THE Americans, it 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 del
egates when the principle embodied in