New-York tribune., 1904-10-31
Denartment OF State.

Washington, October p. 1904.
Sir: The peace conference which assembled at
The Hague on May IS 1899 marked an epoch in
the history of nations. Called by his majesty
the Emperor Of Russia to discuss the problems
ton Of the operations of war and the lessening
Of the burdens which preparedness for eventual
war entails upon modern peoples, It's labors re-
suited in the acceptance by the signatory powers
of conventions for the peaceful adjustment OF
international difficulties by arbitration. and for
certain humane amendments to the laws ana
customs OF war by land and sea. great work
was thus accomplished by the conference. while
other phases of the general subject were left 10
discussion by another conference in the near
future such as questions Affecting the r!6hts
and duties of neUtrals the inviolability OF pri-
vate property in naval warfare, and the bonn
bardment of ports. towns and villages by a naval
force.
Among the movements which prepared the
minds of governments for an accord in the dlrec-
tion of assured peace among men, high place
may fittingly be given TO that set on foot by the
Interparliamentary Union. From its origin in
the suggestions Of a member Of the British
House of Commons in 1888, it developed until
its membership included large numbers of dele
gates from the pariiamentS of the principal na-
tions, pledged to exert their influence toward
the conclusion of treaties of arbitration between
nations and toward the accomplishment OF
peace. Its annual conferences have notably ad-
vanced the high purposes 1t sought to realize
Not only have many international treaties Of
arbitration been concluded. but in the conference
held in Holland in 1894 the memorable declara-
ton in favor Of a permanent court of arbitra-
ton was a forerunner Of the most important
achievement of the Peace Conference of The
Hague in 1899
THE PEACE CONFERENCES WORK.
rhe annual conference Of the Interparliarnen-
tary Union held this year at st. Louis in
appropriate connection with the Worlds Fair
It's deliberations were marked by the same noble
devotion TO the cause OF peace and 70 the well
fare of humanity which had inspired its former
meetings
BY the unanimous vot: of delegates. active or
retired members of the American Congress. and
OF every Parliament in Europe with two excep-
tions. the following resolution adopted:
Whereas. Enlightened public opinion and
modern civiliza ton alike demand that differences
between nations should be adjudicated and set
tied in the same manner as disputes between in
dvduals adjudlcated. namely. by the arbit-
rament courts in accordance with recognized
principles of law, this conference requests the
several governments OF the world to send dele
gates to an international conference. to be held
at a time and place to be agreed upon by them,
for the purpose OF considering.
'First-The questions for the consideration OF
which the conference at The Hague expressed
wish that future conference be called.
''Second-The negotiation of arbitration
treaties between the nations represented at the
conference to be convened.
''Third-The advisability of establishing an In
ternational Congress, to convene periodically for
the discussion of interna tional questions
And this conference respectfully and cordially
requests the President of the United States to
invite all the nations to send representatives
to such a conference"
On the oath of September. ultimo these reso-
lutions were presented to the President by a
numerous QepuJaIlOH OF the interpa Elementary
Union The President accepted the charge Of
fered TO him. feeling 1t to be most appropriate
that the Executive OF the nation which had well
coined the conference 20 its hospitality should
give voice its impressive utterances in a cause
which the American government and people hold
dear. He announced that he would at an early
day invite the other nations. parties 10 The
Hague conventions. to reassemble with a view
to pushing forward toward completion the work
already begun at The Hague. by considering the
questions which the first conference had left un-
settled, with the express provision that there
should be a second conference.
In accepting this trust the President was not
unmindfu of the fact vividly brought home
to all the world, that great is now in
progress He recalled the circumstance that at
the time when. August "a 1893, his majesty
the Emperor OF Russia. sent forth his invitation
10 the nations to meet in the interests Of peace
the United States and Spain had merely halted
in their struggle, TO devise terms Of peace While
at the present moment no armIstice between
the parties cO1tendirg is in sight, the fact
OF an existing war is no reason why the nations
should relax the efforts they have SO success
fully made hitherto toward the adoption OF rules
or conduct which may make more remote the