The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-23
HOUCETN WOODSHAS
ITS DIFFICULTIES
Many Stories Printed Tending to Disrupt
Peace Conference.
lNSTIGATED BY ENEMIES
Object Is to Recommend Peaceful SOIu-
tiOn Of International Questions.
DISARMAMENT LOST SIGHT OF
When Arbitration Methods Are Observ-
ed by Nations Rarity of War WillIn-
crease and Engines of Defense
Will Naturally Decrease


The Hague, May 22.-The disarmament
committee of the peace conference meets
at o'clock Tuesday afternoon, the COM
mittee on laws of warfare meets during
the afternoon on the same day, and the
committee on arbitration meets on Wednes-
day.
The first session of each committee will
be devoted to the election of officers.
The chiefs of the delegations have had
frequent conferences with view of ar
riving at an agreement in regard to the
choice of officers of the committees But
apparently, many difficulties have arisen.
Many false and exaggerated reports have
been circulated regarding these bitches
For instance, it has been said that Count
VonMunster, the German ambassador at
Paris and head of the German delegation,
would withdraw from the conference.
Such stories must be received with eau
ton, as persons hostile to the aims of the
conference have been busily engaged in
spreading distrust
The story about Count VonMunster prob
ably arose from the fact that his name
does not appear as member of any of the
committees, while all the other chiefs OF
delegations have Joined one or more COM
mittees. But it is pointed out that the
delegates, although not members of a COM
mittee, are privileged to attend its ses-
sions and participate in the discussions.
White Gets interviewed
Andrew D. White, the United States am
bassador at Berlin and head of the Amer
lean delegation, in an interview here with
a representative of the Associated Press,
said he regarded the situation as promis-
ing, and that the first work of organization
will be well done. He added:
Il am hopeful 1t will be possible to reach
practical conclusions. The skepticism OF
the first few days must yield to serious
hopes without at the same time indulging
in exaggerated expectations.
''The words of Emperor William have
contributed to improve the situation. I
think we may arrive at some result on the
subject of mediation and arbitration. AL
though 1t Is undoubtedly impossible to
make such action obligatory. it can be
rendered at least optional, and 1 believe
that after the conference the powers will
recognize that they have at their disposal.
the means of regulating thor differences
otherwise than war. That will be an i'm
mense advantage.
al am also confident that important i'm
provements are achievable In the laws and
usages of war. to humanize war, and par
ticularly in extending to the naval battles
the Geneva convention of 1854 and In in
creasing the protection of private property
in naval wars.
Relative to the reduction of armaments.
am not in position to speak on the sub
ject."
Tor n ter War More Humane
Other ambassadors who are delegates to
the conference were also interviewed, and
expressed similar views. They said they
were most hopeful that the deliberations
of the conference would result In the adop-
ton of practical recommendations tending
toward peace and rendering war more hu-
mane All were dominated by a sense of
immediate responsibility to achieve some
thing, especially in the direction of arbi-
tration. The delegates were unanimously
of the opinion that the question of the re-
duction of armament would be the most
difficult to meet, and 1t is believed will be
relegated to the rear of the other features,
especially since the object of the confer
ence is now acknowledged to be an en-
deavor to establish means for the solving
of international difficulties without
course to war, thus increasing the rarity
of wars and as natural consequence lead
ing to a reduction of ornaments. They
seemed convinced. however that numer-
Gus difficulties OF detail would arise in the
various committees, and that the confer
ence would be protraeted.
The Election of Presidents
After an active exchange of views dur
ing the last twenty-four hours the chiefs
of the various delegations arrived this
evening at an agreement regarding the Sc
lection of presidents of the various COM
mittees. This agreement will be commu-
nicated to the delegates who have been
summoned to meet in plenary session in the
Huis TenBosch at noon tomorrow for the
sole purpose of formally confirming the
agreement.
The meeting of the disarmament COM
mittee has been postponed umtn- o'clock
tomorrow afternoon.
SHOT HIM TWICE W