The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-31
SCHEME FOR ARBITRATION.
Matters which A0eet Neither No-
tienal Honor NoP vital Interests
10 De subnitteA In ALI Casss-
Set Compulsory In other Cases.

THE HAGUE, May D-The Brussels
conference section Of the international
peace congress after 8, aa 40 e ane desls
with prisoners OF war. discussed questions
relating to hags Of truce. capitaiaiioue ana
armist!ces, as contained In articles - 10 %.
inclusive upon which an agreement wS
The Red Cross section considered the ex-
tension OF the Geneva convention 10 naval
warfare and adopted slight notifications
OF the articles relating 10 material, ieav-
ing the other two categories for future
The vaderiand prints today the text
OF the Russian proposals regarding medi-
alton and arbitration.
Part l dweiis upon the desirability OF
seeking . solution of international as
putes by the mediation OF friendly powers
and sets forth that such good ofnces.
whether sought or preferred. shall bear
strictly the character of friendly counsel,
and in no way of compulsory force
Part deals with International aroitra-
ton. which IL declares the most ef-
hcacious and equitable means OF settling
questions regarding the International ap-
plication Of treaties.
should undertake 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 tha, each state
remains the sole Judge Of what cases are
TO be 50 submitted to arbitration. II is
suggested that a large number of cases.
and dIsagreements in the application OF
treaties or conventions affecting CONNER
cfal, postal, navigation, currency sanitary
and copyright matters and the like. not az
fecting vital interests or national honor,
are those In which arbitration should be
obligatory. In all other cases. says the
Russian scheme. arbitration, though rec
applied on the spontaneous initiative Of one
OF the parties in dispute and with the ex-
press consent OF the parties interested.
mission Of inquiry. It provides as follows:
I'm cases of divergence causing interna-
tional litigation on local circumstances.
which cannot be settled by ordinary diplo-
vital interests. the governments intended
TO agree to institute an International COM
mission OF inquiry to investigate impair
ment interested shall appoint two members
OF the commission. These four shall choose
NTH, who shall be president Of the COM
mission. II the votes are divided as TO this.
an appeal shall he made to another gov
eminent or to third party to appoint
president.
After the investigation the commission
shall submit report signed by all the
The report shall In no wise have the char
acter OF an arbitration Judgment. but shall
leave the conflicting parties at full liberty
either to conclude a friendly arrangement
on the basis Of said report. or TO have re-
course to arbitration by concluding an
agreement ad hoe. or else by resorting To
active measures allowable In the mutual
relations between nations"
The Russian proposals are followed by
a code of arbitration indicating procedure
On these lines:
THE states interested that have accept.
ed arbitration shah sign special act &c
compromise clearly setting forth the cues
tons to be aroitrated and the full facts
connected herewith. The compromise
thus included may provide for arbitration
UPON the whole matter In dispute or Upon
points categorfcally determined.
The governments interested may intgust
the functions OF arbitration either &c
sovereign third power or to a tribunal Of
arbitration. Such tribunal shall be select
ed In the same manner as commissions of
inquiry. and II difficulty arises In choos-
ing the fifth arbitrator as president the
other powers shall be asked by common
consent to appoint a president"
The other clauses OF the proposals deal
with details as to place Of meeting. the
appointment of counsel the procedure OF
the tribunal and cognate matters.