The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-31
THE RUSSIAN PLAN.
Proposals Regarding Mediation and Arbi-
tration Published.

The Hague, May 3O.-Het Vaderland
prints to-day the text of the Russian
proposals regarding mediation and ar
bitration.
Part 1 dwells with the desirability of
seeking a solution of international dis
putes by the mediation of friendly pow
ers and sets forth that such good Of
fees, whether sought or proffered shall
bear strictly the character of friendly
counsel and in no way of compulsory
force
Part 2 deals with International arbi-
tration, which it declares the most
efticacious and equitable means of set
thing questions regarding the interna-
tional application of treaties The con-
tracing powers, therefore, should I'M
dertake to seek arbitration in such
cases, in 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 to be so submitted to arbitra-
ton, it is suggested that a large num-
Der of questions, such as questions of
! pecuniary damage and disagreements
I'm the application of treaties or conven-
/ lions affecting commercial, postal, nav
lgation, currency, sanitary and copy
right matters and the like, not affecting
vital interests or national honor are
i those in which arbitration shall be OBJ
ligatofS. In air other cases, Asays 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
parties interested.
| Part 3 deals with the Internal ton
al commission of inquiry. 1t provides
as follows:
In cases of divergence causing in
| ternational litigation on local circum-
stances, which cannot be settled by or
| binary diplomatic means, but not in
Volving honor or vital interests, the
| governments intended to agree to in
| stltute an international committee of
| inquiry to investigate impartally all
| questions of fact Each government
| interested shall appoint two members
| of the commission. These four shall
choose a fifth who shall be president of
| the commission. If the votes are diyid-
| ed as to this, an appeal shall be made
/ to another government or to a third
| party to appoint a president.
after the investigation the commit
| tee shall submit a report signed by all
| the members to the governments in
| terested. The report shall in nowise
| have the character of an arbitration
| judgment, but shall leave the conflict
ing parties al full liberty either to con-
| clude a friendly arrangement on the
| basis of said report, or to have recourse
| to arbitration by concluding an agree
ment or else by resorting to active
measures allowable in the mutual rela-
| tons between pations."
| The Russian proposals are followed
! by code of arbitration indicating pro-
| cedure on these lines:
1.-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
| compromise thus included may pro-
vide for arbitration upon the whole
/ matter in dispute or upon points cate
| gorically determined.
1.-THE governments interested may en-
| trust the function of arbitration either
| to q sovereign third power or to 6
| tribunal of arbitration. Such tribunal
! shall be selected in the same manner
as commissions of inquiry, and if diff
| ficulty arises in choosing the fifth ar
| bitrator as president, the other pow.
ers shall be asked by common consent
! to appoint a president
The other clauses Of the proposals
| deal with details as to the place OF
meeting, the appointment of counsel
the procedure of the tribunal and cog
nate matters.