The San Francisco call., 1899-04-23
NATIONS WILL
NOT QUIT ARMING
Prediction of Failure Of
Hague Conference.
Copyrighted. 1899. by the Associated Press.

Copyrighted. 1899, by the Associated Press.
LONDON. April 22.-According to ad-
vices from excellent authorities, not
even the most sanguine of those con-
cerned now expect any substantial
progress to be made at the coming
peace conference toward the disarma-
ment or even a suspension of arma-
ments The Car himself and his en-
tourage are reported to have lost their
illusions on the subject, and it is said
that the proceedings and the treaty on
military and naval questions will be
confined to the merest generalities.
None of the decisions will be binding
and even in the matter of international
arbitration, if anything is agreed to, it
viii not be absolutely obligatory.
The British newspapers this week
have generally taken up the question
of Emperor Williams choice of Profess
sor Won StengeI as a German delegate
TO the conference, and it is pointed out.
judging from his writings, he is a de-
clared advocate of war and not Of
peace. Therefore, the papers here con-
fess to be nonplussed at his selection,
and declare it is hardly possible the
German Emperor can desire the sue
cess Of the conference if he maintains
his nomination.
Extracts from Professor Won Stem
gels pamphlet, Der Ewige Friede'
C'The Everlasting Peace'), have been
reproduced. Some Of his references to
America are decidedly interesting.
After declaring that the Germans, least
of all nations. should support the fan
tastic aspirations Of the friends OF
peace" he says: The Americans, in
toxicated, viii strive more and more TO
become the dominant power and dc
tata their law 10 Europe in any con-
test between America and Europe.
Shall Germany stand peacefully to one
side and bow humbly before America?
Certainly not. This is already impOs
sible. because political dominion is also
economic dominion, and Germany must
be politically and militarily poWertul II
she does not wish TO go to economic
destruction
Further on, Professor Won Stengel de-
clares that he does not know whether
it was mere madness or crime when
perpetual peace was preached TO the
German nation" and describes the
Cars rescript as "bombastically
composed document"
David Christie Murray, in the Lon
don Morning, to-day rernarks that Eu-
rope is anxious to learn if, after this
frank expression of his opinions, Pro-
fessor Won Stengel's appointment will
be confirmed by Emperor William. ado
ing that if so, it would be a saving not
to hold the conference at all.
The proceedings of the British Par
lament this week were mainly of a
domestic nature. The Marquis of Sails
bury, who has returned TO London
from the south of France. reappeared
in the House of Lords Friday even
ms. His holiday on the Riviera has
resulted in great Improvement in his
health Much amusement was caused
by the fact that he has had his usually
long hair closely cropped, with the re-
suit. as one paper says, Of transform
ing him from cavalier into a round
head"
The most interesting parliamentary
event was the introduction by the
Lord Chief Justice, Baron Russell of
killowen. OF his bill against illicit Sc
cret commissions in business, which
custom the report of the investigating
committee OF the London Chamber of
Commerce recently denounced so
strongly and urged the adoption of leg
lslative measures to correct it. Lord
Russell Numbered against secret COM
missions with an Indignation which
aWed even the House Of Lords His
bill proposes to extend the law affect
ing public bodies to commissions on all
business transactions, making such
secret 0ayments criminal Offense.
HIS lOrdshlp mentioned a number of
cases, some Of them very painful.
showing the prevalence of the system
and the injury done thereby to trade
and morals.
The Lord High Chancellor. Earl
Halsbury gave the bill a hesitating
welcome, but the newspapers generally
warmly welcome the measure and urge
the adoption Of its essential features
The increase of the British garrison
At the Cape of Good Hope from 1900
men three years ago TO 5000 men has
been leading TO the impression that
some movement was premeditated
against the Transvaal republic.
The Liberal papers to-day comment
upon the situation and ask if Great
Britain is preparing to seize the Trans
vaal. They point out that the perma-
nent establishment Of big garrisons in
South Africa is a complete reversal Of
the old policy of withdrawing troons
from the colonies
A big strike Of miners has begun in
Belgium for an increase in wages
About 10000 men are now ont a n17r,, ~.
Der Of factories are closing for lack Of
coal, the bricklayerS and masons arc
Joining in the movement and disturb
ances are feared. The Socialists form
an important element among the strik-
ers
In consequence of the complaints of
French cOlonists that it is impossible
TO find French wives unless they return
home, the Ministry Of the Colonies in
tends to install a central emigrant of
flee for women in Paris, with branches
in the country Approved maidens who
are accredited suitable for colonial
marriages viii be provided with a we'd
ding outfit costing $50, with 500 pocket
money and with free passage to the
colony selected. The first experiment