Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-12-14
HAGUE PEACE CONGRESS-.
Its Conclusions Do Not Affect Amer
ica,s Traditional POlicX.

In response to the invitation of his majesty,
on the 18th of May, as members Of con-
mission from the United states consisted Of
the Hon. Audrey D: White, the Hon Seth Seth
Love the H9 10 bs nied stsa Capt p
w. T. Crosier of the United States army, and
the Hon. Frederick w; Hollis. secretary The
serious consideration Of plan for the pacific
adjustment Ct international dtffsrencss-a sub
definite project for a permanent International
the Of the Gn it H States
The final act of the conference includes con-
ventions upon the amelioratton Of the laws avs
to maritime warfare of the principles of the
Geneva convention Of 1864 and the e extension
The convention for the pacific settlement of
The American Plan
with such notifications as were rendered nee
essary by the great diversity of views and in
titles of the convention provide for the main,
tenance Of general pace; the exercise OF good
offices and mediation; the formation OIL COM
mittees Of inquiry, and international arbitra-
ton.
The mediation provided for by the conven-
ton is purely voluntary and advisory and is
intended to avoid any invasion or Limitation OF
the rights of tn eons
of delegations to be specifically constituted for
particular purposes by means OF conventions n
their object the clear understanding of inter-
national differences before resortng to the
use of force. The provision for arbitration
contempates the formation of
A Permanent Tribunal
before which dsuted cases may be brought
for settlement by the mutual consent OF the ne
such a permanent tribunal over impromptu
committees of arbitration are conceived to pc
the actual existence of a competent court.
prepared to administer justice. the greater
economy resulting from a well devised sys, ,
tenn, and the accumulated judicial skill ana
experience which such q tribunal would soon
possess 80 o-.,,,
While earnestly promoting the idea or estap-
fishing a permanent international tribunal,
the delegation of the United States was not
unmndful of the Inconvenience whlch mignt
arise from an obtrusoe entrese oa
fully the historic position of the United States
by the following declaration:
sNOthinE contained in this cOnven-
ton shall be so.cOnstrued as to re-
quire the United states of America
to depart from it's traditional policy
of not intrustinS. interfering WIN
or with entans1ins itself in the po-
litical questions or policy or inter-
national administration of any for
eign state; nor shall anything con-
tanned i'm the said convention be
construed to imply relinquish-
ment by the United States of Amer
lea of it's traditional attitude to-
wards purely American questions"
Thus interpreted. the convention for the pa
cific settlement Of International conlllets may
| be regarded realizing the earnest desire OF
great numbers Of American. citizens whose
deep sense of justice expressed in numerous
resolutions and memorials has urged them to
labor for this noble achievement. The general
character of this convention already signed
by the delegates of more than twenty severely ;
sction of the senate of the United States
whose ratification it still awaits