Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/319

 1899.] Russia.— The Peace Conference. [311

of the effectives is the result of an understanding between the federated Governments and the Eeichstag. In order not to renew the same debates every year it has been agreed to fix that figure, first for seven years, and then for five. . . . The army law at present in force does not stipulate any fixed and invariable strength of the effectives. Provision is, on the contrary, made for a constant increase until 1902 or 1903, when the reorganisa- tion, begun in the course of this year, will be complete. Until then it would, therefore, be impossible for us to maintain, even for two years running, the same strength of effectives."

The disarmament commission eventually adopted by accla- mation, without putting it to the vote, a motion to the following effect : The commission considers — first, that it would be very difficult to determine, even for a period of five years, the figure of effective forces without regulating at the same time the other elements affecting national defence. Secondly, that it would be no less difficult to regulate by an international convention the elements of that defence as organised in each country according to very different views (d'apris des vues trfo diffe'rentes). Thirdly, that the restriction of those military burdens which at present weigh upon the world is greatly to be desired for the material and moral welfare of humanity.

On the humanitarian question there was considerable difference of opinion. During the debate on the use of different gunpowders the American military delegate, Captain Crozier, pointed out that a prohibition of the use of powders of greater explosive power than those at present employed might prove to be inconsistent with economy, which was one of the principal objects of the Eussian proposal. Entire freedom to use new sorts of gunpowder was carried unanimously. Two motions suggesting restrictions on explosives used by artillery were negatived, and a large majority decided that there was no reason for the States represented at the conference to pledge them- selves not to modify their guns by excluding the adoption of new inventions. The Swiss delegate, Colonel Kunzli, proposed the interdiction of explosive bullets, including the dum-dum bullet in that category of projectiles. The Dutch delegate, General den Beer Poortugael, supported the motion and condemned the use of the dum-dum bullet. He entered into particulars of the effects it caused, and represented it as producing enormous ravages in the human body. The Austrian delegate, Colonel Khunpach, moved that it would be sufficient to prohibit bullets that caused unnecessarily cruel wounds without specifying any- thing further, particularly as it was not possible altogether to prevent mutilation. The British delegate, Sir John Ardagh, supported the Austrian motion. It would have been absolutely impossible for him to support the motion condemning the dum- dum bullet, as the allegations against it had not been proved. Certain foreign Governments had applied to the English military authorities for specimens of the dum-dum bullet, but were