New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
QUEER PEACE DELEGATES
FOREIGN PLENIPOTENTIARIEs At THE
HAGUE
THEIR SELECTION INDICATES THAT NO SERIOUS
RESULTS IN THE DIRECTION OF DIsARMA-
MENT NEED BE EXPECTED.

MENT NEED BE EXPECTED
To so great an extent will the results 70 be
achieved by the International Peace Congress
to convene at The Hague next month depend
upon the personality OF the delegates that any
information calculated to enlighten the people
the subject Of the character and individual
ity Of the penipotentiares must prove OF time
ly interest Russia, France, Turkey, England,
Italy, Germany and the United States have des-
ignated their representatives.
So far as can be gathered from the list OF the
delegates already chosen, none OF the Powers
taking part in the congress appear to entertain
any serious hopes Of achieving definite results,
at any rate on the lines indicated in the pro-
gramme. In fact, there is much to confirm the
impression already formed to the effect that
Russia had some Interior object in view other
than that OF disarmament and peace in organiz-
ing the conference, and that most OF the remain
Ing Powers have been prompted to take part
therein by motives OF courtesy toward the Gar
and OF Difference to public opinion. which
throughout the civilized world is in favor Of
everything that can in any way contribute TO
preserve peace and to avert the horrors OF war.
Had there been any serious intention. either
by Russia or by any Of the other great Powers
! the direction of disarmament or in the institu-
ton of certain established International rules OF
mediation and arbitration, the delegates should
have comprised the Premiers and the Foreign
Ministers-that is to say. the statesmen who
themselves direct and control the policy OF their
| respective countries. The Russian pIenipotenti-
aries in that event would have been headed by
Count Muravien Minister Of Foreign Affairs
ard by General Krapotkine, Minister OF War
Premier Dupuy and Foreign Minister Delcasse
would have represented France; Count Golu-
chowski would have attended on behalf OF the
Austro- Hungarian Empire, while Great Britain
would have sent Lord Salisbury and either Mr..
Joseph Chamberlain or Lord Lansdowne Peo-
pie would in that case have been convinced Of
the sincerity of the congress, and would have
looked for more or less successful issue OF it's
deliberations.
At Berlin in 1878, at Paris in 1856 and at
Vienna and Verona earlier in the century re-
suits OF the utmost importance involving the
most radical changes Of the map OF Europe were
achieved by the international congresses be-
cause each country was represented BY the
statesmen dominating and directing its policy
The deiegates-plenipotent in the truest
sense or the word-were able 10 decide questions
oitnand and were empowered TO make agree
ments without having constantly to refer 10 the
home Government for instructions. In one
word they assembled for business and they ac-
ccmplished their purpose, whereas the best that
can be hoped from the congress at The Hague
next month Is the elaboration of a series OF
resolutions which may may not be suisse
quently ratified. 1t will be fortunate indeed Il
the congress is not broken up at its very out
set by the endeavor on the part OF Russia or
of some other Power TO introduce into the dis
cusson questions not contained in the pro-
gramme. Ii is only necessary to remind the
readers Of The Tribune that although numerous
international congresses have been held az Brus-
sells, St Petersburg and elsewhere with the oh
ject Of devising some definite code Of laws OF
modern and civilized warfare nothing worth
mentioning has ever been achieved in this d.
recton, a number OF nations declining ia oe
bound By the rules proposed, while it has been
found impossible even 10 reach any final agree
mont upon the elementary question as to whether
privateering is lawful warfare or mere piracy
RUsSIAS THREE DELEGATES.
Russias three principal delegates to the con.
ference at The Hague Baron de Staal. the
Cars Ambassador in London; Professor Mar
tens. the great authority on international law
at the University of ST. Petersburg and NJ. de
Strive, long Muscovite Minister at Washington,
now Envoy TO the Court of the Netherlands and
probably one Of the shrewdest and cleverest
diplomats Of the present day. Indeed. there is
every reason to believe that. although the presi-
dency OF the congress is likely to be assigned
to Baron de Staal, it will be NJ de Strive who
VIII play the most important role and who will
be the leading spirit, IL not Of the whole con-
sress, at any rate OF the Russian delegation.