The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-19
NJ. De STAAL PRESIDING
He is Russian Ambassador to
: England.
AM's ? AN COMMISSIONERS THERE
IS
y. 8 on the Ground Early and Estab-
(. ed Headquarters-Aftert the First
8 Days Sess' on Adjournment was
e Taken Until Saturday
, AN COMMISSIONERS THERE

The Hague May 1S-The peace confer
ence called by the czar of Russia. was
opened at o'clock in the hall of the
Huisten Bosch, or "the House In the
Woods" two miles from The Hague
M DeBeaufort, president of the council,
minister of foreign affairs of the govern-
ment of the Netherlands, delivered the in
augural address and welcomed the dele
gates.
M DeBaufort spoke of the high honor of
the choice of The Hague as the meeting
place for the conference, and extolled the
noble initiative of the czar, saying this
would be red letter day in the history of
the century and expressing the hope that
his majesty would be able to look back at
today as the most glorious day of his life.
He concluded with calling attention to
the allegorical group over the doorway OF
the hall, peace entering to the closet of the
Temple of janus and said: II trust this
beautiful allegory will be good augury of
your labors, and that after you have COM
pleted them you will be able to say that
peace whom art introduced into this hal
left to spread its blessings among the
whole humanity"
Telegram to the Czar
The delegates decided to send the fol-
lowing telegram to the car:
1.-THE peace conference lays at the feet
of your majesty it's respectful congratula-
tions upon the occasion of your birthday,
and expresses it's sincere desire to cooper
ate In the grand and noble work in which
your majesty has taken generous initia-
tive and for which it begs you to accept its
humble and profound gratitude"
NJ Russian asSad0r
to Great Britain, and head of the Russian
delegation, informally assuming the presi-
dency of the conference, said his first duty
was to express to M. DeBeaufort his sim
cere gratitude for the noble terms in which
he had referred to his august master, add
ing that his majesty would be deeply
touched, as well as the spontaneity with
which the high assembly had associated
Itself Herewith.
70 the Queen of Netherlands
Continuing, M De Staal said Though
to the czar is due the initiative of the con-
ference, we owe much to the queen of the
Netherlands for inviting us to her capital.
1t is a happy augury of success that we
have met under the auspices of the young
sovereign in whose charge is felt In wide
circle, whose heart is open to everything
great and generous, and who has not mis-
placed such sympathy for the cause which
brings us here. 1t is on the historic soil
problems have been discussed. Here is the
cradle of science and International law"
After a reference to the historic peace
treaties concluded at The Hague and ex-
pressing regret that M. De Beaufort had
not accepted the presidency of the confer
ence. M. De Stall said in conclusions: II
cannot consider my election otherwise than
inspired by my position as plentipotentiary
of the emperor, who was the initiator OF
the conference.
ION this ground I accept with deep graft
itude the distinguished honor, and / shall
use my endeavor to justify your confidence.
am perfectly aware that advanced age is,
elias a sad privilege and week auxiliary,
but I hope that it will at least constitute
a claim upon your indulgence"
After making. his address, M. De Staal
in behalf of the conference. telegraphed
to the queen of the Netherlands as fol-
lows: "The members of this conference as
sembled for the first time in the beautiful
Husten Bosch hasten to lay at the feet
of your majesty their best wishes, pray
ing you to accept their homage and graf
itude for the hospitality you have grscsoues
ly de gned to offer them"
The reading of the message was warmly
applauded.
M. De Beaufort was appointed honorary
president and the leading Dutch delegate,
A. p c. VanKarnobeck, former minister
of foreign affairs and deputy, was appoint-
ed vice-president.
Sessions Will be Secret
After the appointment of nine secretaries
NJ De Staal proposed that the sess ons be
secret which was adopted.
The next session will take place on Satur-
day when the delegates will arrange a pro-
gramme and appoint committees.
The conference then adjourned.
The session today lasted only twenty-five
minutes, and the apparent unanimity dis
played was considered to augur well for
the outcome.
THE Czar Toasted
Weisbaden, Prussia, May 1S.-At lunch
con given by Emperor william today in ac-