Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-10-07
FAVOR PEACE CONGRESS
eut Some Diplomats Think an Early
Call Will Embarrass Japan
and Russia.

Washington, Sept. 30.-The presi.
dents promise to the delegates 10 the
Interparliamentary union that he will
soon invite the nations OF the world to
join In a second peace congress at The
Hague, and the possibilities of the in
ternational arbitration movement un-
der the new impetus given ii by Mr..
Roosevelt, were actively discussed by
diplomats. They are agreed that the
invitation viii come with better grace
from the United States than from n
other power and they believe il will be
20 with a spirit that will help
along the work begun at the first con-
gress, called by the czar in 1899.
There is some difference OF opinion
among the diplomats as to the pro-
priety of calling the congress 'at an
early date as promised by the presi-
dent. Some of them say that this
would not be in good taste, while the
ruler who called the first is at war.
and those Of this opinion are in doubt
az to how the presidents invitation
will be received by Russia and Japan.
as well as by their allies, France and
England. 1t is regarded as certain
that neither Russia nor Japan would
be a party TO any movement that
would seek to in any way interfere in
the present war, and they doubt that
either power would send delegates for
lcaI hAldl lucy IniSnls DC dIdNI llIo d
discussion OF means for ending the con-
dict.
Need Not Cause Embarrassment.
Other diplomats believe that the con-
gress can be held without any sugges-
ton of interference with Russia or Ja-
PAM, except, possibly, through the
moral effect of a great peace confer
ence. and that the horrors of the war
now being waged will quicken the In
terest of the powers in the gathering
at The Hague. They rely on the
diplomacy of Secretary Hay to handle
the matter in s. way that will give no
offense TO either of the belligerents, but,
perhaps. secure their cooperation.
They also believe that Mr.. Hay can se-
cure acceptance of of the presidents In
vitation by the representatives OF Gem
trail and South America, which is one
of the chief objects to be attained.
One OF the most important matters
that will come before the congress-.
aside from securing a more universal
and binding agreement TO the principle
of arbitration, viii be an exact lnder-
standing as to contraband Of war. Diff
f%erence on that point are likely to
draw neutral powers into a war, as
has recently been proved by disputes
between England and Russia, and. in
lesser degree, between this country n
Russia. The project of securing an In
ternational agreement on c~ontraband
has already been preached to Secretary
Hay by the British foreign Office,
though no action was contemplated
until after the close of the war.
Politicians of both parties consider
that the president vas fully alive to
political effect and that he will take
advantage of his opportunity by issuing
the invitations before the election. Mr..
Roosevelt is the first head of a govern
ment to recognize officially the Inter-
parliamentary union, and the delegates
were pleased not only at his compii-
ance with their resolution, but by the
fact that his action will give the or
g%anization greater prestige.
-
Russia Not Very Well Pleased.
st. Petersburg, Sept. 30.-The Rus
sian press has heretofore studiously
avoided editorial reference to President
Roosevelt's. statement to the delegates
of the Interparliamentary union on
September "a on the subject of calling
q conference of the nations at The
Hague to continue the work of the con
ference called by the Emperor Nicholas
in 1899. The only approach thereto is
a quotation in the Russ this morning,
from a Berlin press opinion, saying that
it was evident the Americans We're de-
termined to disregard the question of
whether or not intervention in the far
eastern question at this time would be