The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
PEACE CONGRESS TO FAIL?
CRISIS has BEEN REACHED IN THE
DISCUSSION At THE HAGUE

impossible Even on Minor Question:
A Now Proposal Made to the Kaiser.
special cable Dsspatca to The Sun.
THE HAGUE. juno ia crisis has now been
reached In the work OF the Peace Congress,
and the issue no longer rests with the delegates
The negotiations have come to a virtual dead
lock, and the situation has been referred to
the Governments themselves for calculation.
The members OF the conference will mark
time for few days until instructions are re-
ceived from headquarters which will settle
the question OF whether the attempt to make
war more difficult will be abandoned or some
small practical benefit be gained
1t cannot be said that the outlook Is hopeful
Those VINO sanguiney believed that tho mil
lennium would date from April Ii, 1899. have
been encouraged by the announcement that
one or another subcommittee has agreed by u
majority vote to some proposal designed to
mitigate the horrors of war 1t il false en-
enlargement. No measure which fails to COM
mand the practically unan imous support OF the
Peace Congress has any chance OF abortion or
OF gaining force in international law. In other
words. any single great power Possesses the
function Of decisive veto against any measure
which may be proposed. As q matter of fact,
every single proposal OF any Importance which
has come before tho committees OF the confer
1t is even probable that certain humane
measures. which every civilized country Is
willing to adopt in the form Of instructions to
army and navy commanders, will be rejected
when IL comes to n question OF incorporating
them In international law. The reason is that
as laws they involve the Intervention of neu-
trails. and there is strong opposition among the
delegates against adding to the power OF neu-
trails who m light become beligerents by citing
violations NJ iDta ar lnx w nj or
ed. as justification for their interference. This
ground OF opposition is given against even the
humane code for the protection and care OF the
wounded at sea. drawn up by the Geneva Con-
ventlon Committee. The same reason has
been cited in the discussions OF the Brussels
Agreement Committee.
The American delegates fully realize that
there is no chance for the adoption OF their
proposal for neutralizing private property at
sea- There are many special reasons urged
against this measure. but the only general one
is that 1t seriously weakens the strongest
deterrent from war; namely. the loss and in
convenience sustained by com batants.
The one important question on which all at
tention Is centred is the fate Of the proposed
permanent arbitration tribunal. There is
other opposition besides that OF Germany to
this scheme. but 1t is nnimportant. Russia
for instance is opposed to the constitution OF a
Pauncefotes scheme. and therefore the Brit
ish plan has been modified. The German DEL
egates received fresh instructions yesterday
which are not made public. but there is no rea-
son to believe that they tend toward harmo-
nizing the situation. In fact. II is we'll known
among the delegates to-day that the German
Government regards the conference as a com
plete failure and any agreementas imposshl.
The delegates are enjoying n respite from
la AnaI ipat rt,t inns fr.Nr
the homo authorities. The feeling prevails
quite generally among the delegates that tho
conference will dissolve before the end OF tho
month
The Cologne Gazette says semi officially that
the dsarmamen conference has failed abso-
lutely. It explains that though the official
communications to the press concerning the
labors Of the sub-commissions speak OF the
acceptance Of isolated proposals. by majority
vote. these proposals must be adopted unani-
mously by the full asse mbly This unanimity
has not been reached In a solitary instance.
The Brussels subcommittee continued its
debates on the Declaration OF Brussels to-day.
adopting article with the addition Of rules in
regard to taxes and duties in conquered coun-
tries. These clauses state that the taxes shall
only serve army purposes the administra-
ton OF the country. The people shall not be
fined for individual acts but only in cases OF
General can levy taxes. which are collectible in
the usual way. Goods are to be taken only for
army purposes. and these must be such as the
conquered people can deliver without having
to fight their own country in order to do So
Most OF the additions received but one dis
sentinR vote. which was probably that Of Eng
land. Article VI. was subjected to several
amendments relating to State railways. telc-
phones and the landing OF cables. These
wa m
mittee Prof. Martens OF Russia proposed that
the reports OF the committed be printed ard
distributed among the delegates OF the Gov
ernments represented. but not before the end
OF the conference. This proposal was adopted.
In consequence of the German opposition to
organized obligatory arbitration q new scheme
OF conciliatng Germany has been proposed.
The proposal. which Is largely the work OF the
American delegates. consists OF the crea-
ton OF a bureau with limited staff
to be established at The Hague under
the uthority Of the ordinary representatives
OF the powers In the event OF conflict the
bureau would. at the request OF tho belliger-
ents. convene an arbitration court to adjudi-
cate the matters in dispute. Thus there would
not be any permanent tribunal, and the
procedure followed in establishing the
court would be decided as the occasion
arose. Arbitration. moreover. would be op-
sador White. the head OF the American
delegation. has had frequent conferences
with Count Munster OF Germany, and
the scheme has been accepted by the
German delegates but DR.. Zorn and Baron
Won Stengel OF the German delegation have
gone to Berlin to lay the proposal before
the Kaiser. They were accompanied by
Mr. Frederick Hollis OF the American
delegation. The work OF the confer
ence has been suspended pending the
Kaiser's decision. II this should be favorable
It is believed that the powers will accept the
scheme. if they have not already accepted it as
n basis OF discussion. and further details will
be arranged.
The state concert given by the Government
to the delegates Of the Peace Conference and
the civil and military authorities this evening
was great success. The hall OF the Palace OF
Arts and Sciences. In which the function took
place. was beautifully decorated with blue silk