The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-19
SPEECH OF M. DE STAAL, OPEN
ING THE PEACE CONGRESS.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
ITO seek the best means of securing
the benefits of peace to all nations is,
according to the circular of Aug. II, the
principal object of our deliberations. The
name of Peace conference, which, by in
stinct, was given in advance of the de-
ci5ion of the governments to our assem-
bly,, indicates in the best way tha essen
tial aim of our work. Therefore thc con-
ference cannot fail to fulfil tn, task as
signed to II and to secure tangible 'ultH
for humanity. The great willingness with
which all countries accepted the invita-
tion to partake in the conference is most
eloquent proof of the unanimity with
which the pacific proposals were re-
ceived. 1t is a most agreeable pleasure
to me to express to the delegates the
thanks of the Russian government.
THE composition of this meeting is a
great guarantee of the spirit with which
it will fulfil its mission. 1t will be a
vast gain to the world If diplomacy sue
ceeds in establishing here some rules for
the peaceful solution of internat tiOnal dis
putes, to asneralize. to codify the appli-
cation of arbitration and mediation. II
seems to be the essential purpose of our
efforts to prevent conflicts by pacific
means. 1t is not our mission to attempt
to reach Utopia. We must reckon with
what is possible in the work we are go
ing to do, and must not pursue abstrac-
tions. Without sacrificing our ultimate
hopes We must keep on the ground of
reality so as to get a solid foundation
and fixed basis.
mo nation can remain isolated even If
1t so desired. OF course there are rival
ries, but only on economical grounds. The
different nations seek only to bring the
overproduction which they cannot con-
sumo to other markets. These rivalries
aI,,ta lald RI q
spirit Of human fraternity. If the nations
are bound by so many ties, why not
study the effects toward which they are
tending? When there are disputes be-
tween two nations the others cannot be
| indifferent, because all are affected. Then
acts of concliation should come in,
| These are old maXims which are always
recognized by statesmen and thinkers,
but they impose themselves now more
| than ever, and the fact that they may
be proclaimed by such an assembly as
| this would certainly be of prime import
ance in the history of humanity.
1.-The nations have great need of peace,
| and we owe It to humanity and the gov
ernments which have given us their con-
! fdence to protect their interests, and 1t
/ is due to ourselves to accomplish use
! full work in settling upon some means of
/ insuring peace.
Among these means are arbitration
| and mediation. These have been prac-
| ticed for a long time by diplomacy, but
! they have not been precisely established,
and their employment in cases In which
| they should be applied has not been de-
| fined. 1t Is our duty to do this, sus-
! tained by the conviction that we labor
for the welfare of humanity and in the
| direction which was pointed out by pre-
cedinF generations. But as we are firmly
resolved not to approach Utopia, and as
we recognize that our present task, how
ever grand, has its limits, We must also
occupy ourselves with another phase q
the situation. Inasmuch as IL is not yet
possible 10 render armed conflicts be-
tween nations impossible we must mini
iZe the horrors OF such conflicts. The
governments Of the civilized states have
already taken great steps in that direc
ton, but we want to so further, and the
most competent men for the solution OF
| these questions are here.
Besides other matters of high import
ance which also enter into the idea OF
the maintenance of peace, and which tho
| Russian government thinks might be in