The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-19

THE HAGUE. May la--Ths peace con-
ference called by the csas Of Russta vas
opened this afternoon In tho han Of the
House In the Woods. two miles from The
Hague ~. de Beaufort. president Of the
council. minister Of foreign alIalsu Of the
government OF tho Netherlands. delivered
tho inaugural address, and welcomed the
delegates. Then Ds Beaufort spoke az the
high honor OF the choice OF The Hague .
the meeting place Of the confsrsnca, aad
sxtoiled tbs noble initiative q ~ cane.
! saying this wou1d - . ~ se1tee dny II
- ssssy s & y - - Z. = i
ssss1euD e ~ IifA ~ eoas1n616 wlan
calling AtfentlOn u ~ alJe6orscol nTouo
over the doorway of ths halI3 rspfsoane0nf
Peace entering TO Close the temcla q
Janus, and said:
n trust this beautiful allegory win
be an auEury Of your lAhora. and that
after you have completed them you win
be able to say that Peace. whom art IN.
troduced to the hall. left II to spread
its blessings among the whole Of h,s.
manity."
-. ae staal Assumes the Presidency.
~. Dc 1tAal. the Russian amba1sdor %
Great Britain. and head Of the Russian
delegation, In formally assuming the pres-
idcncy Of the conference. said his arst duty
was to express TO n. Dc Beaufort his sln-
cere gratitude for the noble terms II
which he had referred to hi august ma
Jesty. adding that his majesty would b
deeply touched a. well by the spcntanesty
with which the high assembly had An.
ciated itself therswith. Continuing. ~ e
9taal said:
Though To the cxar = due the initia-
tive Of the conference. Ne owe much
to the queen OF the Netherlands for In
viting w to her capital Il 10 I happy
augury OF success that We have INST
under the auspices Of the young SOW
ereign whose charm 10 felt IN q wide
circle. whoRe heart ID open to evsFy-
thing great and generous and who has
displayed such sympathy with the
cause which brings IN here II n on
the historic soil % the Netherlands that
the greatest political problems have
been Discussed. Here II the cradle oe
science and international law"
After a reference 70 tho hiatoric peace
pressing rexrct that ~. Dc Beaufort had
no, accepted the prcsadensy Of the confer
ence. " de StsL said:
II cannot consider my election oehsr-
wise than inspired by my position -
pienspotenffsry Of the emperor who was
the initfator of the conference. On this
ground ! accept with deep gratitude
the distinguished honor, and shall uso
every endeavor 10 justify your conn-
dsnce- ! am perfectly aware that aA-
vanced are n alas, Had privilege ana
a weak auxiliary. hut hope that u
viii ~ least substitute . claim upun
your indulgence"
Messages 20 Wslhelmina aaA Coes.
Afssr making his address. ~ de 0taaI
in behalf OF the conference. seaegrapds1
TO tho queen OF the Nethssiands - fea-
lows:
The merntsrs OF this conference. aa.
serubied for the nr~s time in this beam
tifui Huis ten Bosch, hasten 10 lay a4
the feet OF your majesty thetr best
Wishes. praying yosi tn Accept their
homage and gratitude for the hospital
isy you have xraTiously daSnsd 70 Of
fer them"
TIE reading Of the message was warmly
appiaud~d
The delegates decided 70 send the Eoa.
lowing telegram 10 tho czas:
The p~ase conferences lays at the
fees of your ma atssty its respectful o.
Gratuiattons upcn the occaslce of your
birthday. and sxpreas~s In sincere a..
sire 20 cooperate In the great and nc-
bse work In which your majesty has
taken the rererous tn3tlasive. and los
whtca II hegs yon 10 acT4pk III humble
and profound gratitude
~ do peausors was appointed honorAry
president. and the leading DuteA dsis9AaA
A. r. c. Van karnsesch- former naanAsese
OF foresgn Affairs ana dspu9y, vas n.
pointed vice president
Ass@ tAs aopolntnsnt g ~ eosenna1m