Mr. Hitchcock to Mr.
Hay.
Embassy
of the United States,
St.
Petersburg
,
January 14,
1899
.
No. 230.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of
January 12, and to inclose herewith copy of a translation of Count
Mouravieff’s second circular, dated December 30, 1898 (January 11,
1899), upon the subject of the conference to consider the question of
the progressive growth in the expense of national armaments and what, if
any, means can be found to minimize the existing evils.
This able document seems to require no especial comment at the present
time further than to note that the Imperial Government has, upon further
consideration, deemed it best to abandon the idea of holding the
conference at St. Petersburg, and to suggest that it meet at some other
place than one of the great capitals, on account of the political
influences which might affect its deliberations.
In handing me the circular Count Mouravieff laid emphasis upon the fact
that the suggestions made by the Imperial Government regarding the
deliberation of the conference are to be considered not as an outline of
its policy, but as tentative remarks embodying its opinions, upon which
the comments of the other powers will be welcomed, as will any further
suggestions from their side.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
230.—Translation.]
St.
Petersburg
,
December 30,
1898
.
Mr. Ambassador: When, during the month of
August last, my August Master ordered me to propose to the
governments who had accredited representatives in St. Petersburg the
meeting of a conference for the purpose of seeking the most
efficient means of assuring to all peoples the benefits of a real
and lasting peace, and above all to place a limit upon the
progressive development of existing armaments, nothing seemed
opposed to the realization in the comparatively near future of this
humanitarian project.
[Page 552]
The welcome reception accorded to the measure of the Imperial
Government by almost all the powers can but justify this hope.
Appreciating fully the sympathetic manner in which the adhesion of
almost all the governments has been expressed, the Imperial Cabinet
has at the same time received with the liveliest satisfaction the
evidences of hearty assent which have been addressed to it, and
which do not cease to arrive from all classes of society of the
different parts of the world.
Notwithstanding the great current of opinion which has been produced
in favor of a general pacification, the political horizon has
sensibly changed in its aspect recently. Several powers have
proceeded with new armaments, enforcing additional increase of their
military forces, and in the presence of this uncertain situation one
might be led to ask whether the present moment is opportune for an
international discussion of the ideas set forth in the circular of
August 12–24.
Hoping, however, that the elements of trouble which agitate the
political world will soon give place to a calmer order of things and
one of a nature to encourage the success of the proposed conference,
the Imperial Government for its part is of the opinion that it will
be possible to proceed at once with a preliminary exchange of ideas
among the powers with a view—
- (a)
- Of seeking without delay for means of placing a limit upon
the progressive increase of land and naval armaments, a
question which plainly is becoming more and more urgent in
view of the new increase of these armaments; and
- (b)
- To prepare the way for a discussion of the questions
relating to the possibility of preventing armed conflicts by
the pacific means at the disposition of international
diplomacy.
In case the powers consider the present moment favorable for the
meeting of a conference on these bases, it certainly will be useful
for the cabinets to agree among themselves upon the subject of a
programme of its work.
The themes to submit to an international discussion at the actual
conference might generally be summed up in the following manner:
- 1.
- An understanding stipulating the nonincrease for a fixed
term of the present effectives of land and naval forces, as
well as of the war budgets relating thereto; a preliminary
study of the manner in which there might be even realized in
the future a reduction of the effectives and the budgets
above mentioned.
- 2.
- Interdiction of the putting into use in armies and navies
of any new firearms whatever, and of new explosives, as well
as more powerful powders than those now adopted, as well for
guns as for cannon.
- 3.
- Limitation of the use in land campaigns of explosives of
great power already in existence, and the prohibition
against the throwing of all projectiles and explosives from
balloons, or by similar means.
- 4.
- The interdiction of the use in naval warfare of submarine
torpedo boats or plungers, or other engines of destruction
of the same nature; engagement not to build in the future
war vessels with rams.
- 5.
- The adaptation to naval warfare of the stipulations of the
Geneva Convention of 1864, upon the basis of the additional
articles of 1868.
- 6.
- Revision of the declaration in regard to the laws and
customs of war, elaborated in 1874 by the Brussels
conference and still remaining unratified.
- 7.
- The acceptance in principle of the usage of good offices,
of mediation, and of optional arbitration for such cases as
lend themselves to it, with a view of preventing armed
conflicts between nations; an understanding upon the subject
of their mode of application, and the establishment of a
uniform code of practice in their use.
It is clearly understood that all questions concerning the political
relations of states, and of the established order of things by
treaty, as, in general, all questions which do not enter directly
into the programme adopted by the cabinets ought to be absolutely
excluded from the deliberations of the conference.
In addressing to you, Mr. Ambassador, the request to have the
goodness to obtain the instructions of your Government upon the
subject of my present communication, I would ask you at the same
time to bring to its notice that in the interest of the great cause
which lies so near the heart of my August Master, His Imperial
Majesty considers that it would be well for the conference not to
meet in the capital of one of the great powers, where there are
concentrated so many political interests, which might perhaps react
against the progress of a work in which are interested in a like
degree all the countries of the world.
Accept, etc.,
