The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-14
The Peace Congress at The Hague.

1t would be hard to find more an
ing OF the peace congress than the
beautiful summer palace called The
House in the Woods at The Hague in
peaceful Holland. Here on the 18th of
the present month will gather dele
gates officially designated by the ma
lions of the world to consider the pos
sibility of Tightening the military bur-
dens of the peoples, and to make at
least tentative approach toward sub
shutting reason. justice and arbtra-
ton for the continuous threat of war
The real significance of the congress
VIII probably come not so much from
what may be actually accomplished as
from the fact that the congress marks
a turning-pOint in the way of regard
ing international questions. The opin-
ion grows that the car, the greatest
military" autocrat in existence. is Yet
thoroughly sincere in his conviction
that the time is at hand when methods
of military aggression must be aban-
doned, or at least restrained. by mu-
tual agreement The chief aim will be
not toward immediate disarmament
but toward agreement not to relatively
increase the present ornaments. This
is, to an idealst, slender beginning;
but when to it are Joined the various
proposed restrictions of certain prac
tees in war; and the Undertakings in
behalf of humane principles wherever
possible in warfare, it must be ad
mitted that there is hope of a substan-
tial result Immediately, as we'll as in
definite possibilities for future COM
bined action. Here is a summary of
the points to be discussed:
"a An agreement not to increase ma
val or military forces and the cores
ponding budgets for a fixed period: CO
an endeavor to find means of reducing
the forces and budgets in the future;
(3) Introduction of the use of any new
weapon or explosive Of a power higher
than now made: tD restriction of the
use of the most terrible of existing eX-
plosives. and forbidding the throwing
of any explosives from balloons or
similarly: 90 fOrbidding the employ
ment of submarine tOrpedoeS and sim
liar contrivances; 90 undertaking not
to construct vessels with rams: CD APP
plication of the Geneva convention to
naval warfare: tS naturalization of
vessels saving those wrecked in naval
battles: (9) revision of the declaration
concerning the laws and customs of
war elaborated at Brussels in 1874: C0)
acceptance of the principle of media
ton and arbitration in such cases as
lend themselves thereto.
1t will be seen that this programme
is by no means sentimental or imprac-
ticable Despite TOlstois dictum that
nothing can be accomplished except by
the absolute refusal of the individual
to bear arms. it is true that to diminish
the extreme horrors of war, to make
the rights of neutrals and non-combat-
ants clear and inviolable, and, above
all, to urge arbitration and mediation
are objects of great moment and we'll
worth striving after.
A special correspondent of the Out
look will tell its readers whatever is
possible to tell of the deliberations of
this peace congress, of the views and
impressions of the delegates and of the
actual results attained. Meanwhile it
is gratifying to note that the Amer
lean delegates named by President Nc
Kinley are men of high ability. of wide
experience in public affairs, and of con-
spicuously representative character.
Thus, ex-President Andrew D. White
has filled a large place in the educa-
tional and diplomatic history of the
United States. AS president of Cornell
university for IS years. and before that
as a professor of history and litera-