Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-23
AMBASSADOR WHITE
Very Hopeful Over Work Of
the Peace Conference.
Believes That Definite and Lasting Re-
suits viii Be Obtained
Toward International Arbitration and the Hu-
nanizing Of Warfare.

The Hague, May 22-The disarma-
ment committee Of the peace confer
ence will meet. at 10 o'clock, Tuesday
morning. the committee on the laws Of
war will meet during the afternoon of
the same day and the committee on ar
bitration Wednesday. The first ses-
sion Of each committee will be devoted
TO the election Of officers.
The chiefs Of the delegations have
had frequent conference with the view
Of arriving at an agreement in regard
10 the choice of officers Of the commit
tees. But, apparently, many difficulties
have arisen as nothing has been finally
settled
Many false and exaggerated reports
have been circulated regarding these
bitches For instance, it has been said
that Count Won Munster, the German
ambassador at Paris and head of the
German delegation, srould withdraw
from the conference. Such stories
must be received With caution as per-
sons hostile to the aims of the confer
ence have been engaged in spreading
dstrust.
The story about Count Won Munster
probably arose from the fact that his
any of the committees while the other
chiefs Of delegations have joined one
or more committees. But it is pointed
out. delegates. although not members
Of committee are privileged to at
tend its sessions and participate ~ its
discussions.
Mr. Andrew y. White. the United
States ambassador at Berlin ana heau
Of the American delegation. in an IN
tervieW here with a representative 81
The Associated Press. said hc fe&afuep
the situation as promising and that the
hrst work Of the organization was Nell
done. HI added: Il am fun ol nope
that it Will be possible to reach pIac.i-
cal Conclusions. The skepticism m tne
first few days must yield to SERIOUS
hopes without at the same time IN
dugng i'll exaggerated eEpectitl"Ii7-
The words of Emperor NillldtA
have contributed to improve the Sl'-'-
ton ! think wv may arrive az SOIL
result on the subject of mediation an
arbitration. Although it is und"uptt"-
~ impossible 10 make SUCH action "'H
gatury, it can be rendered at least "'-
tional ana ! believe that after III" ',.H.
ference the powers viii recognize 'i'-'l =
they have ut their disposal q means ~
regulating their differences otherwise
than by war. That viii be an imnehS'
advance
Il am also confident that impor'aHt
improvements are arhieVabl' III t"'
laws and usages of war. to humalllHe
war. especially in extending 10 naval
battles the Geneva convention o. lSo4
and in increasing the protection 81 PIT
Nate property in naval wars. kelalNe
10 the reduction of ornaments an
not in a position to speak on the SUD
ject.''
Other ambassadors who are delS-
gates to the conference were also m
terviewed and expressed similar views
They said they We're most hope1ul tiid'
the deliberations of the conference
would result in the adoption OF practl
cal recommendations tending toWaIus
peace and rendering war more hu-
name. All We're dominated by Sense
OF immense responsibility to achleN'
something especially in the direction o.
arbitration.
The delegates were unanimously
the opinion that the question OF the re
auction Of ornaments would De ~
most difficult to meet and they DelleNe'
That il would be relegated to the req
OIL the other two features, espcGiiil'