The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-06

CONTINUED from First Pa8e.J
The proffer of good off1ces was not
sent to the governments of Servta and
Montenegro because those countries
are not parties to The Hague con-
vention.
A hope that the presidents offer
might be accepted was prevalent IN
official circles because it is not
necessary for any of the warning 20"
ers to change the present military
status if they accept 1t. Article Seven
of The Hague convention provides:
The acceptance OK mediation can
not unless there b9 an agreement to
terrupting. delaying or hinderins mo
bilization or other measures or prep
aratiOns for war. |
IF it takes piate bitter the COM
mencement Of hos1iities, the military
operations in progress are not inter
rupted in the absence OF an agree
ment to the contrary
From informal inquiries which
American diplomats have been MAX
ing of their own initiative for sew
eral days, it appeared probable TO
officials here that England and France
might accept the tender Of good Of
fees. An acceptance by Great Brit
lar action by her allies, Russia and
All eyes here are turned on Berlin,
where IT. is believed the decision on
mediation really lies. Ambassador
Gerard has been conspicuously active
since hostilities began in his efforts
to suggest some way for pacific set
Element and the general trend of opin-
ion in White House circles was one
Of optimism.
Another basis for hope was the fact
that inasmuch as the United States
is in no way party to the European
dispute. a rejection of her tender of
good offices would be contrary to the
spirit of The Hague convention,
which specifically suggests that 'fn
case Of serious disagreement or con-
fiict, the signatory powers agree to
have recourse, S far as circumstances
allow. to the good offices or mediation
Of one or more friendly powers
Article Three of The Hague con-
vention says:
Powers. strangers to the dispute,
have the right to offer good offices
or mediation, even during the course
Of hostilities
never be regarded by one or the other
of the parties In conflict as an I'M
friendly act.
Independently Of this recourse, the
signatory powers, strangers to the dis
pute, should, on their own initiative.
ana rs Iar as circumstances may al
low. offer their good offices or media
ton to the states at variance"
These clauses would have made it
embarrassing for the United States to
refuse the tender of good offices made
by Argentine. Brazil and Chile in the
Mexican conflict.
none of the powers. it was pointed
out. would suffer any disadvanta ge
through the acceptance of mediation
Under The Hague convention, the
part of the mediator consists in
"reconciling the opposing claims and
appeasing the feeling Of resentment
which may have arisen between the
states at variance and mediation has
Exclusively the character of advice"
and never binding force"
The first step which the United
States would take In the event of
general acceptance Of its proposal
would be to suggest a suspension of
hostilities. This would not involve
any interruption or delay in mobiliza-
ton or measures of preparation for
war.
Mr.. Bryan presented the presidents
offer in writing to DR.. Dumba, the
Austrian ambassador, and secretaries
from the British, German and Russian
enba ssies, and the Belgian minister
An effort will be made to transmit 1t
to Berlin by wireless
Later the mediation proposal was
delivered to the French charge and
the Secretary Of the Netherlands le-
cation, completing the list