cellency Count NIGRA has spoken and by the sentiments expressed by him in the name of the Commission. He will never forget the courtesies shown him and he will consider it as the honor of his life that he has contributed to the progress of the common cause. The meeting adjourns. The Commission will meet for the last time on Tuesday, July 25, at 2 o'clock, to approve Chevalier DESCAMPs' report. NINTH MEETING JULY 25, 1899 Mr. Léon Bourgeois presiding. The President says that the minutes of the meetings held on July 19, 20, and 22 have been distributed in preliminary proofs, and he declares them adopted, subject to such corrections as the delegates may indicate to the secretariat. The order of business calls for approval of the report of the Third Commission, drawn up by Chevalier DESCAMPS in the name of this Commission. His Excellency Turkhan Pasha makes the following declaration: The Ottoman delegation, considering that the work of the Conference is in an honest and humanitarian cause, intended solely to consolidate the general peace by safeguarding the interests and rights of every nation, declares, in the name of its Government, that it adheres to the draft which has just been adopted, on the following conditions: (1) It is formally understood that recourse to good offices, mediation, commissions of inquiry, and arbitration is purely optional and can in no case assume an obligatory character or degenerate into intervention; (2) The Imperial Government shall be free to judge of the cases in which its interests may permit it to accept these means of settlement, and its abstention or refusal to have recourse thereto shall not be considered by the signatory States as an unfriendly act. It goes without saying that in no case shall the means in question be applied to matters of a domestic nature. The President says that Chevalier DESCAMPs' report having been distributed, he thinks that he can submit it to the Commission immediately for adoption and asks whether any one desires to make any comments on this work. The report is adopted without comment. The President speaks as follows: I congratulate myself, gentlemen, on the reply which you have made to my question. I see in it a striking manifestation of your approval of this remarkable work of our reporter. In drawing up this memorable document, Mr. DESCAMPS has rendered two great services to the cause which has gathered us here together. In the [71] first place, he has, by means of a continuous and perfectly clear commentary, made it possible to understand and to interpret correctly all the clauses which you have adopted with a view to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. I have already said that the first exposition which he made of these provisions would be a sure guide, not only for the delegates in their discussions, but also for all the Governments. I can now say that with your adhesion Mr. DesCAMPS' report will be a useful guide for all civilized nations. But your reporter has rendered you still another service. Not only has he correctly interpreted each article according to the intentions of its authors, but he has also illuminated every portion of your work with the light of his high authority and profound learning in international law. Mr. DESCAMPS is one of those who have devoted themselves most wisely and usefully to the cause of arbitration. He put into service, in addition to the fruits of his experience, all his personal abilities, and I am happy to reiterate here the expression of our profound gratitude. (Prolonged applause.) The PRESIDENT declares the session of the Third Commission closed and asks that the bureau be empowered to approve the minutes of the present meeting. (Adopted.) The meeting adjourns. |