Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-05-15

After confidential exchanges of opinion the
programme of the conference has been
modified with the approval of the Russian
government.
Any question affecting armaments will be
discussed. If at all, merely in an academic
way. This is the result of not only mutual
suspicious among the great powers. but
particularly of the mistrust they all feel as
10 Russia Count Won Munster German
ambassador to France, one Of Germany 5
delegates. has explained in the course of
the preliminary exchange Of views the mo-
tives that prevent Germany from ,consent-
ing to either a reduction or Limitation of
her military and naval strength.
The reason is the grievance of France to-
ward Germany. German official organs are
careful not TO take a cynical attitude. but
the great body of nonofficial newspapcr
opinion in Germany is even more scornfui
than it was six weeks ago with respect
10 disarmament. The week has witnessed
a remarkable outburst on the part of edu-
Gated men of Germany against any sug-
gestion- to weaken the national defense.
Men of the highest scholastic rank like
Mommsen are the most outspoken, and the
diplomatic hint from Russia that Professor
Won Stensel. one of Germanys delegates.
ought to withdrawn because of his PAM
phlets defending war. has not been deemed
worthy of the slightest consideration.
So far as questions affecting military and
naval organization come before the con-
ference, they will be discussed only in gen.
eral terms. which in practice would place
no restrictions upon any power.
Sineularly enough, the armaments of the
powers, instead of diminishing since the re-
script of the car. have continuously in
creased. Almost simultaneously with the
opening of the conference the Russian gov
ernment will begin to rcarm the artillery
with the new quick-firing gun. There could
be no better commentary upon the useless
ness OF the conference, so far as the main
feature of the czar's proposal is concerned.
Something must be done, however, 10
save the prestige OF Nicholas, as an abso-
lutte collapse would be an affront that
would seriously diminish his prestige. I'm
der such conditions, the various foreign
offices have cast about for questions. in
dealing with which scme practical results
might be attained, and the programme to
be considered will deal chiefly with inter-
national arbitration and the provisions OF
the Geneva convention. In the settlement
of both the United States will undoubtedly
take the leading role, closely seconded by
Great Britain
There will be little or no difference as to
broadening the terms of the Geneva con-
vention: II is capable of Improvement, and
this direction quite irrespective OF the con-
ference Some of the clauses will be modi-
fled and others will be added.
Those in a position to forecast results
believe these viii proceed on the following
lines: The extension of the convention tC
warfare by sea: naturalization of the
wounded. with guarantees for their protcc-
tion or the field of battle by special police
and improvement IN ambulance and Red
Cross work, together with adequate ar
rangemcnts to identify the wounded and tC
exchange prisoners. These results could
have been attained without summoning an
assembly OF such proportions. but their at.
tainment by the conference will supply
some practical results, without which Inc
proceedings would be ridiculous
Extension of arbitration to the settlement
of international disputes promises to be !
much more difficult problem. The chief OBJ
stable Will be the definition of Il plan ac.
ceptablc In practice to controlling ma.
3ority of the conference. The most cncour.
aging symptoms are the fact that some.
thing in the nature of arbitration is roinc
on with respect to Samoa, the fact thai
the cars father and grandfather frequent
ly agreed to act arbitrators. and tht
fact, more important than the others, thai