The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-06-03
THE RUSSIAN SCHEME.
An Outline of the Csnr's Propossis
Regarding Mediation and
Arbitration.

The Hague, May 81. - Naderland
prints the text of the Russian proposals
regarding mediation and arbitration.
Part deals with the desirability of
seeking solution of international dis
putes by the mediation of friendly pow
ers and sets forth that such good offices,
whether sought or proffered. shall bear
strictly the character Of friendly
counsel and in no way Of compulsory
force.
Part deals with international arbi-
tration. which IL declares ''the most
etiicacious and equitable means OF set
Ting questions regarding the interna-
tional application of treaties" The
contracting powers, therefore, should
undertake to seek arbitration in such
cases, SO far as these affect neither vital
interests nor the national honor of the
parties in dispute. Then, after setting
forth that each state remains the sole
Judge OF what cases are so TO be submit
ted 10 arbitration. il is suggested that
a large number of cases, such as ques-
tions of pecuniary damage and disa-
greements I'm the application of treaties
or conventions affecting commercial.
postal, navigation, currency, sanitary
and copyright matters and the like, not
affecting vital interests or national
honor. are those in which arbitration
should be obligatory. In all other
cases. says the Russian scheme. arbitra-
ton. though recommended by the pres
ent act. can only be applied on the spon-
taneous initiative of one OF the parties
in dispute and with the express con-
sent of the other parties. The closing
clause provides as follows:
with a view OF facilitating recourse 10
arbitration. the signatory powers agree to
formulate a common arrangement for the
employment OF international arbitration
and for the fundamental principles 10 be
observed In drawing up rules OF procedure
20 be followed pending inquiry into the
dispute and the procurement OF the ar
bitrator's decision. The application or
these principles and procedure may be
modified IN virtue Of special arrangements
between the states which may have re-
course TO arbitration"
Part 3 deals with an international
commission of inquiry. II provides as
follows:
I'm cases OF divergence causing interna-
tional litigation on local circumstances.
lomatic means. but do not involve honor
or vital interests. the governments in
terested agree 10 institute an International
commission OF inquiry TO investigate inn
partially all questions OF fact Each gov
eminent interested shall appoint two mem
bers OF the commission These four shall
choose NTH, who shall be president OF
the commission. IL the votes are divided
as 10 this. an appeal shall be made to an
other government or TO a third party to APP
point a president
After the Investigation, the commits
sion shall submit report signed by all the
members TO the governments interested.
The report shall In no wise have the
character OF an arbitration Judgment but
shall leave the conflicting parties at fun
liberty either TO conclude a friendly ar
rangement on the basis of said report, or
10 have recourse 10 arbitration by conclud-
ing an agreement ad hoe, or else by re-
sorting 10 active measures allowable I'm
the mutual relations between nations"
The Russian proposals are followed
by code Of arbitration indicating pro-
cedure on these lines:
THE states interested that have ac-
cepted arbitration shall sign a special act
OF compromise clearly setting forth the
questions TO be arbitrated and the full
facts connected Herewith. The compro-
mise thus concluded may provide for arbi-
tration upon the whole matter IN dispute
or upon points categorically determined
THE governments interested may en-
trust the functions OF arbitration either to
sovereign third power or to n tribunal OF
arbitration. Such tribunal shall be Sc
lected In the same manner as commissions
OF inquiry ard, ~ difficulty arises IN choos-
Ing the fifth arbitrator as president, the
other powers shall be asked by common
consent to appoint a president"