The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-19
Addresses by NJ. De Beaufort and NJ
De StneI, the Latter Permanent
President of the Conference.
AMERICANS WELL PLACED
GIVEN FRONT ROW OF SEATS ON THE
LEFT OF THE PRESIDENT.
Proceedings to BE Secrct-Next Ses-
mittees Will BE Named.

THE HAGUE, May 1S.-The peace confer
ence called by the Czar of Russia was
opened at O'Clock this afternoon in the
hall of the Huis ten Bosch, or the House
In the Woods" two miles from The Hague.
NJ. De Beaufort, president of the Council,
minister of foreign affairs of the govern
nent of ths Netherlands, delivered the in
augurai address and welcomed the dele
gates. The congress sent the following tele-
gram to the Czar:
''The peace conference lays at the feet
of your Majesty its respectful congratula-
tions on the occasion Of your birthday, and
expresses its sincere desire to cooperate in
the great and noble work in which your
Majesty has taken a generous initiative, and
wishes you to accept its humble and pro-
found gratitude"
NJ De Staal, the Russian ambassador to
Great Britain, and of the Russian delega-
ton, in formally assuming the presidency of
the conference, said: Though to the Car is
due the initiative of the conference, we
owe much to the Queen of the Netherlands
for inviting us to her capital. 1t is a happy
augury Of success that we have met under
the auspices of the young sovereign, whose
heart Is open to everything great and gen.
erous and who has displayed such sympathy
with the cause which brings US here. 1t
is on the historic soil of the Netherlands
the greatest political problems have been
discussed. Here is the cradle Of science
and International law
After a reference to the historic peace
treaties concluded at The Hague and ex-
pressing regret that NI. De Beaufort had
not accepted the presidency of the confer
erce. M. De Staal said in conclusions: 'I
cannot consider my election otherwise than
Inspired by my position plenipotentiary
Of the Emperor who was the initiator of
the conference. On this ground / accept
with deep gratitude the distinguished honor
and / shall use every endeavor to justify
your confidence. 1 am perfectly aware that
advanced age is. alas. a sad privilege and
a weak auxiliary. but hope it will at least
constitute claim upon your indulgence"
After making his address, NJ. De Staal,
In behalf of the conference, telegraphed to
the Queen Of the Netherlands as follows:
1.-The members of this conference, assembled
for the first time in the beautiful Huis ten
Bosh. hasten to lay at the feet of your
Majesty their best wishes, praying you to
accept their homage and gratitude for the
hospitality you have graciously deigned to
offer them" The reading of the message
was warmly applauded.
M. De Beaufort was appointed honorary
president, and the leading Dutch delegate,
A. p. c. Won Karnobeck, former minister
of foreign affairs and deputy, was appointed
vice president After the appointment of
nine secretaries. NJ. De Stalls proposals
that the sessions be secret was adopted.
The next session will take place on Sat
urday, when the delegates will arrange a
programme and appoint committees. The
conference then adjourned. The session to-
day lasted only twenty-five minutes, and
the apparent unanimity displayed was con-
sidered TO augur we'll for the outcome.
The delegates representing the United
States are: Seth Low, president of Colum-
bia University; Andrew ID. White. ambassa-
dor at Berlin; Stanford Newell, minister at
The Hague; Captain Crozer, of the Ord
nance Department of the army; Capt. A. T..
Mahan. of the navy (retired), and Frederick
Hollis, as secretary.