The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-11
CONFERENCE TO FAIL ?
WASHINGTON HEARS A REPORT TO THAT
EFFECT.
Americans at The Hague Are Confident OF
a Partial Success. Germany
Holding Aloof.

The Hague, June 10.,The chief dele
gates to the Peace Conference met
today to discuss Germany's complaints
against the secrecy imposed upon the
delegates and the consequence of mis-
heading reports published, and it is
Understood that Count Munster, head
of the German delegation, was in
structed to propose that the protocols
for the p!enary slittings of the commit
tees be published Immediately after they
are drawn up.
American delegates tell the represen-
tative here of the Associated Press THAT
they are still confident of adoption of
some of their chief projects for arbitra
tiom, but the preliminary discussion yes
terday Indicates the imposSibfiity of
maintaining them all. For instance, it
is impossible to carry the proposal that
the judges of the arbitration tribunal
be elected by the highest court of jus
tice of each country, as some of the
European countries do not possess a jul
| dicial organization permitting such pro-
| cedure. 1t is expected that the lkelieSt
outcome will be THAT each country will
| be free to choose the manner of nOmi-
mating it's own judges.
| The Americans propose to insist upon
la permanent tribunal; if this is impossi-
BILE they hope to obtain at any rate
the. institution of permanent commits
sion. They will also insist on other
points.
The Brussels conference sectlo1 met
today Professor r. De Mertens, IF the
| Russian delegation, presiding.
Nj. Bihound, one of the French dele
gates. submitted article two of the COLI
ference re-tlrafted, which was unani-
mnusGy adopted.
Article 3 was adopted also after dis
cussion; but article was rejected
NJ Rolyn, one of Slams delegates, Of
fered am amended version of a"-iclc 5
which was adopted subject to slight fu
ture modification.
Major General Sir John Ardagh. Of
| the British delegation, declared that
Great Britain could net hind herself to
sign Il convention drawn from the Brus-
sells conference of 1871, but must re-
serve the right of Judging OF the neccs-
slty or eXpediency of abiGing by the
| stlpulatlons of that conference or this
| conference in general orders 10 her
armies in the event Of war. or of opening
campaign.
Professor De Mertens replied that
Russia did not ask the powers to sign
a convention on the Brussels conference.
but desired the powers to undertake
to embody the stipuations now agreed
upon III the instructions given troops ut
the opening of Il campaign
haia
ration was only of IA personal character
and he would consult his >tovernmcnt
on so Important il matter
"A meeting of the principal delegates
was held today to request Count Nuns
| ter to decide the question of communica-
fionS with the press: but, owing - the
failure of the delegates to agree. the
meeting adjourned = Monday.
| \ feeling of disquietude is observable
| among the delegates of the smaller
| powers at the decision of the conference
relating to the tender of good Offices for
mediation: they fearing that this may
| be imposed on the lesser powers in a
way to restrict their independence, and
| several amendments to this effect will
| be proposed when the scheme is finally
| discussed.
| Washington. June 10.-According to
private advices reaching here from The
| Hague. there is grave danger that one
| and all of the arbitration schemes be-
| fore the conference will fail. 1T is said
that Germany is markedly hostile to the
arbitration principle. and is making an
active canvass to secure the support of
| some of the second rate powers in hel
4 onnoS;t;on If This movement is SrcceSS.
full. even in limited degree. it is fear.
ed that arbitration is doomed, so far as
this conference is concerned, for to car
ry any weight and show practical re-
suits. the delegates must be nearly
| unanimous.