The San Francisco call., 1899-05-21
RUSSIA WILL BE
STUMBLING BLOCK
AT CONFERENCE
BlankIy Rejects the Proposition
for Neutrality Of Private
Property at Sea,

THE HAGUE. May 20.-1t cannot be
said now that the Peace Conference is
fully organized, that the outlook for sue
cess as a result of it's labors is encourage
ing. There had been an increasing hope
since the delegates began to arrive early
in the week that substantial benefits to
the human race would accrue from the
Cars effort to perpetuate the blessings
of peace, but to-day this has given place
TO doubts stronger in certain quarters
than have been freely expressed ever
since the rescript was issued.
1t is necessary TO avoid eXaggerating the
Importance Of the obstacle encountered,
but the Anglo-Saxon delegates are seri-
ously impressed with its significance.
1t consists of Russia's refusal TO con-
slider such a civilzng amendment to the
rules of war as a proposal to neutrallze
all private property at sea in time Of
war. This refusal is not official, but it
was made by Russia's official representa-
tiVes in the conference, and it was made
in such uncompromising terms that Eng
land, which proposed the matter, and
America and other nations, which would
be glad to discuss it, feel it is almost
hopeless to consider much more radical
proposals, which it was supposed the
conference had been summoned to act
upon.
The Russian side of the question is that
England will refuse to agree to the Gar S
scheme of disarmament, and has come TO
the conference in the hope of carrying
this single point, which would enable
Great Britain to wage war without en-
dangering her vast mercantile marine and
allow her to concentrate her great naval
power against weaker enemy. In other
words, the adoption of this proposal
would make British mastery of the seas
impregnable.
This is probably true, and the Russian
opposition to the English proposal was
inevitable under the existing circum-
stances, but this great obstacle which has
arisen before the conference has really
begun its labors is discouraging demon
stration of the difficulties in the way.
Russias action has greatly surprised as
well as disappointed delegates having the
success of the conference at heart. 1t has
been repeatedly declared that Russia has
no scheme to propose and no desire to
take the initiative or influence the scope
or plan of the conference, but when a
manner scarcely less than dictatorial
Inc matter came to a crisis as follows:
1t was known that the English and Amer
lcan delegates favored the foregoing pro-
posal for reducing the hardships of naval
warfare. Therefore, when Sir Ju
Ian ian ., Pauneefote Sedt,,5 suggested at yes
or delegations that two commit
tees, naval and military, instead of
one. be appointed upon the laws of war,
the suggestion was opposed by Russia
and other countries having small mer-
camille marine.
The reason, for, the opposition though
track the British proposal, which would
have been the principal subject for the
naval committee to consider Later in the
day the English delegates raised the point
directly in conversation with Russian COL
leagues and received the brusque intima-
tion that Russia would refuse even to
consider the subject. Naturally the effect
is that many delegates now do not hesi-
tate to say If the initiator of the confer
ence takes such an attitude thus early IT
is hardly worth while to take up more
difficult questions.
The revival of the suspicious of Russia's
bona fides is already having important eff
fects. Prominent delegates, including
a substantial reduction of armament on
the eve of the conference as an earnest
of sincerity; otherwise it is unreasonable
to expect that her neighbors should trust
fully accept and adopt her suggestions
1t had been proposed that Sir Julian
Pauncefote or ambassador White be
made chairman of the arbitration com
mittee. and one or the other would prob
ably have accepted with the understand
ing that an earnest effort will be made to
possible for all nations to adopt. Yester-
days rebuff. however. led to the deeiin-
alton of both gentlemen and a Russian
or Hollander will be selected as chairman
will be chairman of either the disarina-
ment or arbitration committee.
All of the delegates are now Informed
Of the characteristic declaration of the
Kaiser last week in regard to arbitration
which was cabled yesterday. and 1t is
making an extraordinary sensation.
There is also great dissatisfaction Mt
the Russian attempts to Keep secret the
entire proceedings of the conference. The
protocol. as it is called is entirely under
furnished to the press comprised simply
the Cars and Queen WilhelminaS re-