The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-19
PEACE CONFERENCE.
The Initial Session Lasted but
Twenty-Five Minutes.
Voted 10 Meet In Secret COngTatulatoU
Message Sent 10 Gar


M. De Beaufort. president OF the coun-
ell and minister of foreign affairs OF the
government OF the Netherlands. de-
hvered the inaugural address and wels
coined the delegates.
Nj. DE Beaufort spoke OF the high
honor OF the choice of The Hague as the
meeting place for the conference, and ex-
toled the noble initiative OF the car.
saying this would be a red-letter day
In the history OF the century. and ex-
pressing the hope that hibmajesty would
De able 10 look back at the day as the
most glorious day OF his life.
The delegates sent the following tele-
gram 10 the czar: The peace con-
ference lays at the feet OF your majesty
Its respectful congratulations upon the
occasion OF your birthday. and expresses
It's sincere desire TO -eo-operate- In the
great and noble work I'm which your
majesty has taken generous initiative.
and for which il begs you TO acceptiits
humble and profound gratitude"
M. DE Staal, the Russian ambassa-
dor TO Great Britain and head OF the
Russian delegation In formally assum-
said his first duty was 10 express TO
nj. De Beaufort his sincere gratitude for
the noble terms in WHICH he had re-
ferred 10 his august master, adding
that his majesty would be deeply
touched by them, as well as by the
spontaneity with which the high as
sembly had associated itself Herewith.
Continuing, NJ. De Staal said:
Though to the czar is due the initiative
OF the conference. we owe much TO the
Queen OF the Netherlands for inviting
us 10 her capital. IL is happy augury
OF success that we have met under the
auspices of the young sovereign. whose
charge Is felt in a 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 greatest po-
litical problems have been discussed.
Here is the cradle Of science and inter-
national law"
After making his address, NJ. De Staal.
In behalf OF the conference, telegraphed
to the Queen OF the Nethrands as fol-
lows:
The members OF this conference, as
-semeled teF the first time in this -beauti-
ful Huis Ten Bosch. hasten 20 lay at the
feet OF your majesty their best wishes.
praying you TO accept their homage and
gratitude for the hospitality you have
so graciously deigned TO offer them"
The reaolns of the message was warmly
applauded.
After the appointment OF nine secre-
tnrieG NJ nn
sessions be secret, was adopted.
The next session will take place on
Saturday, when the Delegates will ar
range program and appoint commit
tees. The conference then adjourned.
The session yesterday lasted only 25
minutes. and the apparent unanimity
displayed was considered TO augur well
for the outcome
Tire cars manifesto was issued in
August 1898. Its -cxprassiaas ware so
unexpected and surprising that the
sincerity OF the author was challenged
at once. The world was not prepared
TO hear proposals for mutual disarma-
ment from the power whose growth on
sea and aggressions on land were re-
garded as the greatest menace TO the
peace OF Christendom. There seemed to
be too wide a difference between pro-
fession and proctice. Although the
czar's manifesto was issued under the
hand Of his minister Of foreign affairs.
II was his own. inspired by his own con-
clusions and colored by his own person
ality The cars character and the
influences that have surrounded him
throw light on his appeal for peace.
There are more traditions of peace in
Russia than the popular estimate of
Russian character would lead one TO
suppose. Nicholas III. the present ad-
vocate Of peace. IL the son Of Alexander
III, 'the peace giver OF Europe" and
his grandfather. Nicholas /. was lonD-
regarded as the chief Justice of the con-
tinent. The two most powerful and
efrecttve HpppJtE for peace made in this
century have come from Russia The
present ear has said that he hoped he
would not only be Nicholas II. but
second Nicholas.
Count Muravieff suggested that II Is
desirable To arrive at an understanding
on the following points:
First. to agree not TO increase naval,
or military forces. and the correspond
ing budgets for fixed period.
Second. TO endeavor TO find means Of
reducing the forces and budgets I'm the
future.
Third, TO interdict the use OF any new
weapon or explosive OF a powder fuller
than now made.
Fourth. TO restrict the use OF the most
terrible ot existing explosives. and TO
forbid the throwing OF any explosives
from balloons or similarly.
Fifth. 20 forbid the use OF submarine
torpedoes and similar contrivances.
Sixth. TO undertake not 10 construct
vessels with rams.
Seventh. 10 apply the Geneva conyen-
tion 10 naval warfare.
Seventh. 10 neutralize vessels saving
those wrecked I'm naval battles.
Ninth. 10 revise the declaration con-
cerning the laws and customs OF war
,-n'od -' r-'iesolg I'm tWl