New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21

assert that so large body OF diplomatists can
not remain together for several weeks or months
without exciting suspicious, jealousies and re-
sentiments. which will bring about a European
war. The universal distrust Of the sincerity CT
Russia Is. however, safeguard against dlssen-
slons. Every delegation will be content to re-
main in the background and to leave the Cars
representatives at liberty to take charge OF the
work of the Congress. Disarmament is Russia's
moral issue, and her willy diplomats will have a
free field for stating IT in abstract terms Nand
for applying IT in practical way TO the Euro
rean hurry burly Of parade-grounds and bar
rack rooms. Every delegation will be reluctant
to alter the Russian programme for the session,
whatever II may be. Baron de Staal Will be
the leader Of the Congress, and the RESPONSE
bility for success or failure will rest with Rus
sia With one consent the delegates will turn
10 him and look for light and leading. There
could hardly be more effective safeguard
against jealousy and strife than this general dis
position on the part OF the delegates to hold
Russia responsible for the management OF the
Congress.
JORDAENSS PICTURE PARABLE.
On one Of the sides of the octagonal room
where the sessions to be held Is Jordaenss
large picture on linen and wood representing the
triumph
sickness and other foes of innocent youth. This
NAV be taken as parable Of the Cars relation
70 this assembly Of cynical diplomatists. mill
tarv and naval experts and masters OF the sci
epce OF international law. They distrust him
&C the desnotic sovereign OF vast empire. which
"a slowlv emerging from medieval Ignorance
and Oriental mysticism. They find 1t Impossible
20 be,,eve that an inspired idealist. with an
humane and benignant evangel Of peace. has
or,sen from the stronghold Of autocracy where
,bare ,s an idolatrous alteration OF power III
the Congress succeeds In uniting upon any alb
stroct propositions or any practical scheme OF
disarmament OF arbitration by when the wei
fare OF Christendom will be promoted 1t VIII be
q triumph OF youthful enthusiasm and idealism
over suspicion distrust and cynicism.
The Huis ten Bosch, where the Congress VIII
meet. was built $50 years ago for the WIDOW oi
Prince Frederick Henry Of Orange. IL mas not
,.oan occunied by the royal family for many
rs hut I, has been the chief attraction OF the
beautiful forest park which lies in the centre vi
The Hague 1t is a rambling villa niieu WIN
bright -colored embroidsfies and tapestries Chi-
nese and Delft porcelain and gaudy paintings.
Interesting as It is to visitors. VINO are a"o"eu
10 wander about the quaint house NJ tue emu VI
. de,,ghtfu drive through the woods, 1t Is not
n convenient council nan lOl '"ioN
tiopal assembly The dining-room. with ciassi-
cal grisailles painted like bass-reliefs' the
Chinese room. with It's rice-paper tapestries ana
the Japanese room. with its cabinets ana EN-
broideries. are the largest apartments aVaiiape
for the secretaries and attaches. and the orange
Hall where painters OF Rubens's school nave
displayed perverse talent for nashIhg co'o'
and careless drawings is not a good DEBATING
room for so large an assembly The wa"s are
high. and the hall is well lighted from the cupo'a
and the sides, but there is not suincieht hool
space for the accommodation OF over hu"u'e'
delegates.
ENTERTAINMENT OF DELEGATES
The delegates will be left 20 entertain them-
selves with assistance from the regular En-
bassies established here. There may be BAN
ouet or a court reception In Amsterdam where
there is a town hall palace with large reception
rooms where nearly three hundred guests can
he enterta aimed at dinner; bat the royal palace
a, The Hague is not adapted for stately festi'i-