The sun., 1899-05-18
PEACE DELEGATES ARRIVE.
,oyFEREyCE WILL BE ORGANIZED AT
THE HAGUE TO-DAY

nn.p,np Speeches TO Be Brief and Formal
C,ar said to sympnthize with American
,,dippation at Gernany's Attitude
Toward Us-Germnns Expected to Oppose
,,. whole Spirit of tho CEar's Plan.
S,,rial Gable Dstpatsh to TIE Sun.
Tur HAGUE May 1.-THE delegates to the
disarmament Conference met for the first time
to-day at a reception given by Jonkherr Gre
NOR Minister Of the Colonies. Nearly all OF
,ho delegates were present They are hegin-
ming to realize that their duties will probably
,r,nose a more severe test OF their stomachs
,n,n their brains for the number OF dinners
.rd social functions for which invitations have
already been issued is quite appalling.
rh. tual programme for to-morrow's sitting
,.,a not decided upon until late tonight. The
spe.ches OF both Baron de Staal. the Chairman.
.nd'Dr de Beaufort. the Vice Chairman. which
are now prepared. will be brief and formal.
u,,on dc Staal will cuntine himselfto o strong
trihute to the Cars courage and humanity in
issuine the invitation for a conference. but
he will reserve until next week his impor-
,,nt speech in which he will deal with
rrartiral suggestions regarding the work
~ IN. conference. Three secretaries will be
,.,ac,,l one Of whom will probably be Mr..
uous the secretary of the American delega-
tion The only other question that will be
raised tomorrow will be as to the publicity Of
ths proceedings. but 1t is almost foregone
conclusion that the sessions will be private.
-Four correspondents will be permitted to listen
to the opening speeches.
Most ~ the delegates are tonight in COM
,late ignorance of the scope of their mission
Or whether any definite scheme for avoiding
war has been prepared under auspices which
will command strong support. Disarmament
ora serious curtailment OF war preparations
has scarcely been discussed. There Is con-
adorable speculation regarding workable
MANS OF arbitration OF which several will be
introduced but not a single scheme Of this
nature has yet been suggested which secures
general attention. much less approval
The impression becomes stronger that Ger
many will be found opposed to the whole spirit
ot,he Cars proposal fhe German delegates
are endeavoring to counteract this idea by
rrofessng enthusiastic devotion to the aims OF
the conference and confidence In the practical
advantages that will spring from it.
Iii interesting to note Just here that gen
tleman WHO recently had the ear Of the Gar
represents him as expressing the strongest
sympathy with tho American Indignation over
the German attitude concerning the Philip
1tncs, &c The Russian Emperor's language
II il cor i lie quoted. would astonish other cap
ital besides Berlin.
All O1 tll1 American anu EIuBllSu utltRoteS
arrived here this morning. The American
delegates took luncheon with United States
Minister Newell and subsequently organized.
with the Hon Andrew ID. White. United States
Am hassAdpr 10 Germany, as Chairman.
A false impression has been created by the
report that the military and naval delegates
will not SIT as full members OF the conference.
The report has given rise to rumor that Capt
AIahan is merely naval attache to the delega-
tor All Of the six American delegates have
precisely the same functions and equally reppe-
sent the United States.
There are not more than six delegates ac-
credited TO the conference who have not yet
arrived. Nearly all OF the delegates spent the
forenoon IN exchanging calls. The opinion
wa- expressed that the scope Of the present
pperations OF the conference will be confined to
debate upon certain subjects which will be
referred to international committees. and that
the conference will adjourn to meet again in
1dO0. perhaps in Geneva.
NJ de Staal, Russian Ambassador to Great
Britain and President Of the Peace Conference.
who has been i'll for several days, has recov-
cred and was about town tot day. 1t is thought.
however. that his age and feebleness will make
it necessary for Dr. de Beaufort to do most OF
the work of the presiding officer in his capacity
OF Vice Chairman.
Count Won Munster. German Am AMBASSADOR to
France. also arrived to-day.
Mr. William 7. Stead came TO- day. fresh from
his latest interview with the Czar There had
been some anxiety among the delegates over
his n-arrival. although he Is not an official
delegate Of any country The Russian and
her delegates now gratefully receiving
ID. suggestions and instructions. and their
mage. which has been at q low ebb is now
lapIdly revivng.