In cases of an international nature, involving neither honor nor vital interests, and arising from a difference of opinion on points of fact, the signatory powers recommend that the parties, having been unable to come to an agreement by the usual means of diplomacy, should, as far as circumstances allow, institute an international commission of inquiry, which shall clear away these differences by getting at the facts through an impartial and conscientious investigation. What a bundle of limitations! “As far as circumstances allow,” “neither honor nor vital interests.” It can be seen with what timidity and circumspection these grewsome instruments called “jurisdiction,” “process of inquiry”—that is, right and truth,—are taken hold of. Torpedoes, dumdum bullets, ekrasit, and lyddite—we are already used to such things, we are no longer afraid of them; but legal processes in international affairs,—those would be too dangerous for vital interests: at all events, for the interests of militarism.... The origin of this formula “honor and vital interests of a nation” is well known. It has always been produced in the following form by the opponents of international arbitration: “Hitherto courts of arbitration have exercised their functions in small matters but not in important ones.” What has hitherto been used as an argument is now to be incorporated in a treaty! To some the limitations seem superfluous, to others the whole proposition seems too far-reaching and—being without precedent—too uncanny; hence the adjournment to wait for further instructions. Stead, in his chronicle in the _Dagblad_, calls attention to this and implores the committee to modify the article at the next reading. On the nineteenth of July the committee assembles again. Herr Beldimann in an hour’s speech attacks the Commission of Inquiry with all his energy. Roumania, he declares, will enter into no arrangement that shall have an obligatory character. Not for a moment will it permit the rights of its sovereign independence to be brought into question. (I love the Roumanians proud!) He moves the rejection of the whole proposition. Servia upholds the arguments of the previous speaker. Chevalier Descamps defends the motion, and he is followed in this by Herr Martens, who speaks with still greater energy. Objections like those expressed by the representative of Roumania ought not to prevent an arrangement which is calculated to assure universal peace and avoid conflicts. In the afternoon comes the second meeting of the committee. The text of the controverted paragraph is somewhat altered. An additional clause reads: The report of the International Commission of Inquiry is limited to a statement of facts, and has in no way the character of an arbitral decision. It leaves the powers that are in dispute entire freedom as to the weight to be given to this statement.