Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-25
THE CARS HOPES.
Willis am 7. Stead Tells What May
Be Done at the Hague Meeting.
The PEACE CONGRESS- is OPENED.
NJ. de Beaufort Delivers the Inaugural Ad-
dress u. de staal Is Made Chairman
Mr.. Mckinley Congratulates the
Czar-Supreme Court Of Nations.


Czar-supreme Court Of Nations.
New York, May ia dispatch to
the Journal and Advertiser from Will
liam T. Stead, who is at The Hague in
the interests of the peace conference,
says:
While cannot repeat directly anything the
czar said to me during our interview few days
ago at st. Petersburg. 1t is permissible to tell
America that he is In excellent spirits and full
Of hope for results from the peace conference.
There is no trace in st. Petersburg Of the anti
American feeling which found expression In the
German delegate Stengel's pamphlet against
peace So far from regarding war with the
United States as the Inevitable destiny OF
Europe the car expressed the utmost conf
dence that the American delegates will stand
by those OF Russia, France and England in
securing the establishment Of some definite
practical system Of international arbitration for
all disputes turning on questions Of law, on in
depreciation Of treaties or on investigation Of
questions Of facts
The car also believes the Americans will
favor recognition Of the principle OF arbitration
in all questions not involving national honor
and interest. The tribunal which 1t is hoped
will issue from the conference for the settle
ment Of questions will probably be founded on
the same principles as those which have worked
so successfully in the postal telegraph and in
ternational railway bureaus at Berne, Swtzer-
land. That is to say, a small body Of jurists and
practical men, chosen from one or more OF the
ha tbnr IN Ann1t
suchquestons In the name Of, and with the au-
thority Of, the powers composing this conference.
| The question Of mediation to be proposed is
simply an extension OF that clause of the treaty
OF Paris whereby the powers agreed, in the case
of the Turkish question, to invoke the media
ton OF other powers before fighting. By the
establishment Of this principle the powers
would voluntarily refer serious disputes to arbi-
tration and the mediation Of such powers as
they might choose. 1t will be proposed that
each power name one OF Its highest court judges
to act as permanent arbitrator, who shall always
be at the service Of the other powers when in
vited, thus effacng politics and other influences
+ In the selection OF members Of the court Of arbi-
trati0n.
While cannot repeat what the car said to
! hit duOut hiHCllCh, may say tuhV lO HhSo WIZ
United States and admires the people Of united
sovereign states conducting their affairs peace
fully without standing armies. While the
United States Of Europe" Is still far in the fu-
/ ture, yet the cars ideas are all tending toward
that. He Is In earnest about checking arma-
ments and he hopes for great beneficial results
from the conference
1t is Germany which is the stumbling block
on the limitation of ornaments France is
thoroughly with Russia. Russia, America,
England and France will be able | think, to
rule the conference.
THE PEACE CONGRESS Is OPENED.
The Hague, May 19.-The peace con-
ference was opened at two o'clock yes
terday afternoon, in the hall of the Huis
Cen Bosch or the blouse in the Woods
two miles from The Hague. M. de Beau
fort, president of the council, minister
of foreign affairs of the government of
the Netherlands, delivered the inaugu-
raj address and welcomed the delegates
The delegates decided to send the fol-
lowing telegram to the czar:
The peace conference lays at the feet of your
majesty It's respectful congratulations upon the
occasion Of your birthday and expresses its sin
cere desire to cooperate in the great and noble
work in which your majesty has taken generous
initiative and for which 1t begs you TO accept It's
humble and profound gratitude.
M. de Staal, the Russian ambassador
to Great Britain and head of the Rus
sian delegation, informally assumed
the presidency of the conference.
After reference to the historic peace
treaties concluded at The Hague and
expressing regret that NJ de Beaufort
had not accepted the presidency of the
conference, NJ. de Staal said in conclu-
sion:
cannot consider my election otherwise than
as inspired by my position as 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.
am perfectly aware that advanced age Is,
alas, sad privilege and weak auxiliary, but
hope that 1t will at least constitute q claim
upon your indulgence
M. de Beaufort was appointed honor
airy president and the leading Dutch
delegate, A. P. c. van Karnobeck, for
mer minister Of foreign affairs and
deputy, was appointed vice president.
After the appointment of nine secre-
taries, M. de Stalls proposal that the
session be secret was adopted. The
next session will take place on Satur-
day, when the delegates will arrange a
programme and appoint committees
The convention then adjourned. The
session YESTERDAY lasted only IS min
utes and the apparent unanimity ois-
played was considered to augur well
for the outcome.
M'KINLEY CoNGRATULATEs THE GAR
Washington, May l9.-The following
cablegram has been addressed by the
president to the emperor Of Russia on
the occasion of the opening Of the dis
armament conference:
Washington, May ls,--To His Majesty Nicho-
las H., Emperor of All the Russians st. Peters
burg; On this day Of good omen, send my
heartfelt congratulations on the opening Of the
conference Of The Hague which had its origin
in the enlightened and generous Initiative Of
your majesty, William Mckinley.
A SUPREME COURT OF NATIONS.
Philadelphia, May l9.-Resolutions
petitioning the peace conference at The
Hague to take initial steps in estab-
fishing a supreme court of nations and
asking the senate to ratify an arbitra-
ton treaty with Great Britain were
adopted at public meeting held here
yesterday under the auspices of the
Evangelical alliance and the National
Reform league.
Kansas City Architect Publicly Whipped.
Kansas City, Mo-, May l9.-Charles
H. Shanarl ~ tho Arm NJ Shanard q