New-York tribune., 1904-10-16

"eS "eio' Is royal villa vf+bo,,4 - .
- -, or picturesque charm: ana -.
and beer garden IN the co-.r.
o-o1-s-1 80 "here the band plays and holiday
o-.o.,.- cannot be described as artistic
e"eIOils The sanctity OF the s,,I,,a,, ,,.,
mas not been so inv1olabI. a. +to - eUues
JUSTIFY outbreaks OF local feeling -
"s ot perhaps three hectares NJ tra., -
P'OpoSeu Tor really beautiful structure -,t,.I
splendid ornament to a lovely rIaas
- S'OuIio- Ihe finest and most accessibIa s,t.
" 1iS FAIace OF Peace is without do,1b+ o,+,o
OeH1hu Ire Moleveld or on the ado, - -
NoeA@rHp; and If Mr. Carneeia.s r1o.-,,s,or.
e.A' 10 tne Dutch people and the sacred causa
= pe@ce were accepted with real nobility oP
,-.s 4oe-A clamors would be silenced and
archltects licensed to design a splendid s+r,o+,,-.
woodland u wiz
one Of the disadvantages OF the local o.s.-o.
OF the ancient inheritance Of the Bosob e the
'eSeSs'ty Tor purchasing an alternative site. un-
S0 G'e palace is to be built on public land or re-
ueelneo polder far ahed- Some Of the sites
"A4icH nave been vaguely proposed would cost
as much as 100000 or even $500 600 and there
Is no eagerness on the part OF either legislators
OF taxpayers TO make a strictly Dutch invest
ment In the interest Of the worlds peace. Doubt
less not few frugal burghers have wondered
whether Mr.. Carnegie. in addition to the Iargess
OK Sl0OOOOO already paid might not be induced
10 purchase site also; but It Is only Just to add
that nobody in authority has had the hardihood
TO make such audacious overtures 70 hin,
Meanwhile there has been futile talk Of trans
FORMING the geological and botanical garden into
the domain OF a temple Of peace; the Belvedere
site mas been advocated as q commanding one II
lhconveniently remote; the broken ground and
barren stretches OF the Zorgvliet district have
been commended as breezy and picturesque. ana
other sites have been proposed in the direction
or Scheveningen or elsewhere, and where their
attr2ctiveness was meagre there has been pleas
ant chatter about improving the approaches to
them by handsome. ornamental bridges over
canals No decisive action has been taken either
by the national government or by the municipaI
authorities. The Queen IS reported TO have de-
c4ared recently 10 some Of her advisers that the
indifference OF the public was a scandal and
maj something must be done without delay.
Ihere was talk at one time about limiting the
architectural designs 10 Dutch architects: but
Ministers were speedily convinced that foreign
competition, especially from France and Amer
lea must not be excluded from so characteristic
work The necessity FOR a choice OF site before
architects could be asked to submit plans has
been admitted by al experts whose advice has
been sought The members OF the diplomatic
and the apathy OF the public The money is IN
the treasury and nothing is done. The oblga-
tions OF the public. or. rather the international
trust undertaken when Mr.. Carnegte's bounty
was accepted are not recognized. AIinisters
councillors and burghers are dawdling and play
ing lstlessly with a great opportunity.
Meanwhile the cause OF rational peace Is
making laborious bur uninterrupted progress
The International Court OF Arbitration has
settled three important cases. and viii take up
fourth one n November. TWO costly wars in
South Africa and Manchur1a have strengthened
inneasurably the argument Of the Cars ia
nous rescrtpt. and Pres. It Roosevelt has
pledged himself TO summon a second peace con-
eress as the cooperation OF leading
powers can be secured Eighteen Spanish Amer
lean republics are anxious 70 obtain admission
10 the administrative council OF the permanent
tribunal and what was al the outset q senti-
mental movement outside the world OF armed
camps and Official diplomacy already has the
moral support OF the most serious and enlght-
ened classes IN every progressive country. The
peace congress and the arbitration court have
made The Hague famous throughout the world
q city the heights OF advanced civilization
whose light cannot be hidden Berne. Brussels
Copenhagen and other minor capitals are de-
ploring the Cars caprice which singled out the
Dutch city for the distinction OF becoming the
stronghold OF arbitration. neutral rights and hu-
mane principles OF progress. How eagerly
would those capitals OF minor states agree 70
Gnd q site for a Palace OF Peace. Mr. Car
negte's grant could be Transferred TO their treas
uriesi Yet. here IN The Hague, where arbitra-
ton and the moral force of the worlds opinion
may some day be the only resource against Ger
man absorption and loss OF national indepen-
dence. there IS sluggish Indifference when the
Palace or Peace is a free gift OF American
philanthropy! The cautious burghers count the
trees IN a wood encumbered and Uttered with
lnderbrush instead OF taking advantage Of an
unrivalIed opportunity and providing at once the
best site for a unique temple, which will make
their town the mecca Of modern progress
T. X. F.
cr,rr, nzrn DHOnOGP IDLY