New-York tribune., 1899-05-19
PEACE CONFERENCE OPENS.
PRELIMINARY EXERCISES OF DELE
GATES AT THE HAGUE.

n DE BEAUFoRTs OPENING ADDREss-RE-
sPoNsE OF NJ DE sTAAL-sEs-
sIoNs TO BE SECRET
The Hague. May 1S-The Peace Conference
o'clock this afternoon in the hall OF the Huis ten
posch. or the House in the Woods" two miles
from The Hague.
NJ de Beaufort. president Of the Council and
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of the Government
~ the Netherlands delivered the opening ad-
dress and welcomed the delegates
NJ de Beaufort spoke OF the high honor OF the
choice OF The Hague as the meeting place for
,he Conference. and extolled the noble initiative
a, the Czar. saying this would be a red-letter
Aev IN the history OF the century and express
,rg the hope that His Majesty would be able
N look back at to-day as the most glorious day
=, his life He concluded with calling attention
"a the anegorical group the doorway of
the haI-Peace entering to close the temple Of
Janus-and said
o1 trust this beautiful allegory will be good
sueury Of your labors. and that after you have
comnleted them you will be able to say that
peace whom Art introduced into this hall. left
{, TO spread its blessings among the whole Of
humanity.
MESSAGE TO RUSSIAN EMPEROR.
The delegates decided to send the following
telegram to the Car:
The Peace Conference lays at the feet OF Your
Majesty its respectful congratulations upon the
occasion Of your birthday. and expresses lts
sincere desire to cooperate In the great and no.
he work in which Your Majesty has taken
generous initiative. and for which II begs you
10 accept its humble and profound gratitude.
NJ de StaaI the Russian Ambassador to Great
Britain. and head of the Russian delegation.
Informally assuming the presidency Of the Con-
ference said his first duty to express to NJ.
de Beaufort his sincere gratitude for the noble
terms in which he had referred to his august
master adding that His Majesty would he deep
ly touched by the spontaneity with which the
high assembly had associated itself with those
views NJ de staa continued:
Though to the Car is due the initiative Of
the Conference. we 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
whose charge is felt in wide circle, whose
heart is open to everything great and generous,
and who has displayed such sympathy with
the cause which brings us here. 1t is on the
historic soil Of the Netherlands that the great
est political problems have been discussed.
Here is the cradle of science and international
law"
DE STAAL ACCEPTS PRESIDENCY
After reference to the historic peace treaties
concluded at The Hague and expressing regret
that NJ de Beaufort had not accepted the presi-
dency Of the Conference. NJ. de Staal said in
conclusion
"I cannot consider nv election otherwise than
inspired by my position as 2s~uipotentiary OF
the Emperor who was the .aiu Of the Con-
ference on this ground l accept with deep
gratitude the distinguished honor and | shall
use every endeavor to justify your confidence
l am perfectly aware that advanced age is alas
a sad privilege and weak auxiliary, but hope
that II will at least constitute claim upon your
Indulgence"
After making his address. NJ. de Staal in be-
half Of the Conference teegraphed to the Queen
Of the Netherlands follows
The members of this Conference, assembled
for the first time in this beautiful Bus ten
Bosch hasten to lay ut the feet or Your
Majesty their best wishes. praying you TO ac-
cept their homage and gratitude for the hospl-
taitv YOU have so graciously deigned to offer
to them.
Tie reading of the message was warmly ap-
plauded.
NJ de Beaufort appointed honorary presi-
dent ana the leading Dutch delegate. A r. C.
van Karnobock, d. L.. former Minister or For
eign Affairs and Deputy. was appointed wee
PRESIDENT.
After the appointment Of nine secretaries M
de Stalls proposal that the sessions be secret
adopted
The Conference then adjourned. The next
session will take place on Saturday. when the
delegates will arrange programme ana appoint
committees
The session to-day lasted only twenty-five
minutes. and the apparent unanimity displayed
was considered TO augur well for the outcome
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.