THE DISARMAMENT SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11243, 13 October 1898, Page 7

THE DISARMAMENT SCHEME.

: THE ,OZAR'S. PROPOSAL. • • Tho following'is the text of tho Czar's recent note proposing a oonforenco of the Powers to consider tho question of disarmament: — " Tlie maintenance of general peace and the possible reduction of the excessive armaments which weigh upon all nations prosenb themselves in existing^ conditions to tho whole world as an ideal_ towards which the endelvours of all Governments should be dirocted. The humanitarian and magnanimous1 ideas of his Majesty the Emperor, my august master, have been won over to this view1 in the conviction that this lofty aim is in conformity with tho most essential interests and legitimate viows of all-tho Powers, and the Imperial Government thinks'the present moment would be very favourable to seeking the means. International discussion is the most effectual means of ensuring all peoplo's benefit—a real, durable peace, above all putting an end to the progressive development of the present armaments. -In the course of the last 20 years the longing for general appeasement has grown especially pronounced in the conscience's of civilised nations, and tho preservation of peace has been put forward as an object, of international policy. It is in its name that great States havo concluded between themselves powerful. alliances. It is the better to'guarantee peace that they have developed in proportions hitherto unprecedented their military forces, and still continuo to incryoaspthcin without shrinking from any sacrifice. FUTILITY OF ABUIES TO BRING PEAOE.1 "Nevertheless, all these efforts have not yet been able to bring about the beneficent result desired—pacification. .The financial charges, following the upward march, strikes at tho very root of miblio prosperity. The intellectual and physical strength of the nation's labour and capital is mostly diverted from its natural application and is nnproductively consumed. Hundreds of millions are devoted to acquiring' engines of destruction, which, though to-day regarded as the last work of science, aro destined to-morrow to lose all their value in consequence of some fresh discovery in the came field. National culture, economic progress, and the production of wealth aro either paralysed or checked m development. Moreover, in proportion as tho armaments of oach Power increase they loss anil loss fulfil the object the Governments have set beforo themselves. Tho economic crisis, duo in great part to the system of armaments a l'outrance, and tho continual danger which lies in this massing of war material, are transforming the armed peace of our days into a crushing burden wlrich the peoples nave more and more difficulty in bearing. DOES NOT AVEItT WAP.. "It appears evident that if this state of things wore to be prolonged it would inevitably Jead to the very cataclysm it is desired to avert, and tho horrors whereof make every thinking being shudder in advance. To put an end to these incessant armamentu and to seolt tho means of warding off the calamities which aro threatening the whole world—such is tho supreme duly to day impo^d upon all Slates. Fillod with this idea, his Majesty has been pleased to command me to propose to all Governments whose representatives are accredited to the Imperial Court the assembling of a conference which shall occupy itself with this giave problem. This conference will be, by the help of God, a happy presige for the century which is about to open.' It would converge into one powerful focus the efforts.of all Stages sincerely seeking to irake the great conception of universal peace triumph over the elements of trouble und discord, and it would, at the same time, cement' their agreement by a corpoiate consecration of the principles of equity and right whereon rest tho security of States and tho welfare of peoples." MUNICIPALISING THE TRAMWAYS. TO THE IDITpE. Sic,—A correspondent in your paper last vroek wrote suggestirij,' that the City ' vuntil ' should purchase the tramways. I ?• is.-itJ: vocating this step some months ag 'and I am pretty sure that if it h carried out it will be in a few years' umo in tho interests of tho citizens. Sevctai cities elsewhere own the tramways. I observe In- the report of the last meeting of the City Council lliat tho mattor has been taken up. I hope that the result will be in favour of purchasing the tramways should the price bo patisfactory, and I believo under present circumstances it cannot be otherwise.—l am, etc., D. Nicol.

■ —The boiler of a cleverly-constructed, small' working .engine is a. quarter-pound, coffee .tin;, the wheels quarter and half pQund fin lids,; the chimney-'.,an umbrella top;' .the steam pipe.an indiarubber tube; the other parts consist of a knitting" needle, a bicycle/spoke, a piece of brass lamp, some gas piping, a_ cartridge end. and the screw .stopper of an oil tin.', : .;; , .WOLFE'S SCHNAPESw,',^" •• .-f Is a remedial agent of■ undoubted efficacy. 'It. "puts the house in order" by: restoring .the aigeajsive .functions. .3Crj.it.as a. diet; drink:,, 9