The evening times., 1899-12-05

ford Newell, Capt. Alfred T. Mahan, of tn,
United States Navy: Capt. William Gro.
zier. of the United States Army, and tn,
Hon. Frederick W. Hollis, secretary. The
occasion seemed to be opportune for the
serious consideration OF plan for the
pacific adjustment # international differ
ences, a subject In which the American peo-
pie have been deeply interested for many
years, and a definite project for a per-
manent international tribunal was in
cluded In the instructions to the delegates
of the United States.
The final act Of the conference includes
conventions upon the amelioration Of the
laws and customs OF war On land. the
4 adaptation to maritime warfare of the
| principles Of the Geneva Convention Of
1864. and the extension OF judicial methods
| to international cases. The Convention
| for the Pacific Settlement OF International
Conflicts embodies the leading features Of
the American plan, with such notifications
(, as were rendered necessary by the great
diversity of views and interests represented
by the delegates. The four titles OF the
| convention, provide for the maintenance Of
general peace, the exercise OF good Offices
and mediation. the formation Of commits
sions of enquiry. and international arbitra-
tion.
The mediation provided for by the con-
vention is purely voluntary and advisory,
and is intended to avoid any invasion or
Limitation OF the sovereign rights OF the
adhering States. The commissions of en-
quiry proposed consist OF delegations to be
specifically constituted for particular pur-
poses by means OF conventions between the
contesting parties. having for their OBJ
ject the clear understanding OF interna-
tional differences before resorting to the
use of force. The provision for arbitration
contemplates the formation of 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
permanent tribunal over impromptu COM
missions of arbitration are conceived to
be the actual existence OF competent
court. prepared TO administer justice. the
greater economy resulting from a we'll
devised system, and the accumulated judi
cial skill and experience which such a tri-
bural would soon possess.
Americn's Position.
While earnestly promoting the idea of
establishing a permanent international tri-
ounal the delegation of the United States
vas not unmindful of the Inconvenience
which might arise from an obtrusive ex-
ercise OF mediation. and in signing the
convention carefully guarded the historic
position of the United States by the fol-
lowing declaration:
Nothing contained in this convention shall be
construed 10 require the United States OF
America TO depart from its traditional policy OF
not intrudng upon, interfering with, en-
tangling itself in the political questions policy
or internal administration Of any foreign state;
shall anything contained in the said conven-
tion be construed TO imply REIMBURSEMENT by
the United States Of America Of its traditional
attitude toward purely American questions.
Thus interpreted, the Convention for the
Pacific Settlement of International Con-
fiicts may be regarded as realizing the
earnest desire of great numbers Of Amer
lean citizens, whose deep sense Of justice,
in numerous resolutions and me- |
MORALS, has urged them 10 labor for this |
noble achievement. The general character /,
of this convention, already signed by the
delegates OF more than tweEty sovereign |
States, further commends It TO the favor |
abls action of the Senate of the United |
States, whose ratification II still awaits.