Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-05-25
PREPARING FOR PEACE.
Condition of Affairs at The
Hague Conference.
SOME TANGIBLE RESULTS EXPECTED
International Arbitration Idea Appears to
BE Taking Definite Shape-AlI the Dele
gates Seem to Favor It-German Who
Issued q Bellicose Pamphlet Tries to
Square Himself.

THE HAGUE, May 22.-(New York
World Cablegram. )-Whateve may
happen to the proposals for a restraint
OF ornaments, it is generally felt by
the peace delegates here that the con-
ference will attain some tangible re-
suits in the direction of international
arbitration. Ambassador White and
Seth Low have both been impressed by
the favorable tendency displayed in
unofhcial conversations by the dele
gates of European powers toward the
arbitration idea. Germany, which is
entirely opposed to checking it's arma-
ments, is among the supporters of any
practicable scheme for settling inter
national differences by means of an
international tribunal. The section OF
the conference to which arbitration
and mediation will be RENTED for q
report will be the strongest OF the
three main sections, and it is signifi-
cant that the chamber detailed as its
place OF meeting is the largest, as it is
evidently expected the attendance will
be fuller than at the others.
The transformation of the feeling
that has taken place since the assem-
ping OF the conference and the begin
ming OF the preparations for actual
work are little short of marvellous
Probably not delegate on arriving
here entertained the expectation that
anything fruitful would issue from the
conference, whose existence thew re-
garded merely as a compliment to the
cars puisance. But now that is all
changed. An earnest, sincere and well
meaning spirit is observable and even
the German delegate, Stengel. is fever
lshly anxious to explain away his bel
Moose pamphlet, which gave such q
sinister complexion to his appointment
as one of the German representatives
Baroness Won Suttner, the famous
Austrian peace advocate, who, though
unaccredlted, occupies a position
equalllng in influence that of any del
egate here, said yesterday:
II have no fear that the conference
VIII be fruitless. The cars Influence
is too strong and the delegates are
only now realizing that his proposaI
was not dream, but an ATTEMPT to
realize the highest idea of practicaI
craftsmanship"
M. de Bloch, whose work on war ad-
m1ittedly helped to give an impulse to
the cars mind which has eventuated
IN assembling this momentous gather
ing, said:
1T is the first step that counts. IT
Is impossible that this assemblage of
experienced statesmen and diplomat
lsts can discuss the points of the
cars circular without discerning how
easily measures can be concerted to
obviate war. No definite proposal NAV
emerge, perhaps, from these delibera-
ations, but they will set the nations
thinking on the greatest problem of
civilization until solution is .ound
l have seen all the chief delegates
mere and have exchanged views with
them. Their instructions I gather in
most cases leave much to their discre-
ton, and there is plain evidence that
al the great powers are entertaining
the conference with an honest desire
TO consider fully and fairly any rea-
sonable suggestions that may be
brought forward"