Evening journal., 1904-10-31
PEACE CONGRESS- CALL
Circular Note Sent Out Proposing
Second Hague Conference.
QUESTIONS TO BE conslDERED
Issue Of Call While Present War Is On
Is Justified BY Fact That First Con-
fer-nee Was Held Before Treaty
With Spain Was Concluded.

Is Justified BY Fact That First Con-
fer-noe Was Held Before Treaty
With Spain Was Concluded.
Washington, Oct. 31--1n a circular
note Secretary Hay has carried ont
the presidents instructions relative to
proposing a second Hague conference.
The note not only contemplates the re-
assembling of The Hague conference
for the consideration of questions spe
cifically mentioned by the original
conference as demanding further at
tention, such as the rights and duties
of neutrafs; the inviolability of pri-
vate property in naval warfare. and
the bombardment of ports by naval
forces. but goes further by practically
endorsing the project of a general sys-
tenn of arbitration treaties and the es-
tablishment of an international con-
gress to meet periodically in the in
/ terests of peace. The issue of the call
while the present war is in progress
/ is justified by the fact that the first
Hague conference was called before
our treaty of peace with Spain was
concluded. The text OF the note fol-
lows:
(To the representatives OF the United
| States. accredited to the government's 8
signatories TO the acts OF The Hague
conference 1891
Sir: The peace conferenc which as
sembed at The Hague on May Is, 1879,
marked an epoch in the history of ma
tions. Called by his majesty. the em-
peror of Russia, to discuss the problems
| OF the maintenance Of the regulation
of the operations of war. and the lessen
ing of the burdens which preparedness
( for eventual war entails upon modern
peoples, it's labors resulted In the ac-
ceptance by the signatory powers Of con-
ventions for the peaceful adjustment of
international difficulties by arbitration,
and for certain humane amendments TO
the laws and customs Of war by land
and sea. A great work was thus ac-
complished by the conference. while other
phases of the general subject were LEFT
to discussion by another conference IN
the near future such as questions af-
, fecting the rights and duties of neu-
trails the inviolability OF private property
I'm naval warfare, and the bombardmeni
of ports, towns and villages by a naval
force.
Among the movements which prepared
, the minds OF governments for an accord
in the direction OF assured peace among
{ men. a high place may fttingly be given
to that set on foot by the lnterparlia-
mentary Union.
The annual conference of the Interpar-
b liamentary Union was held this yeai
at st. Louis. in appropriate connection
, with the Worlds Fair. It's deliberations
- were marked by the same noble devotion
p to the cause of peace and to the welfare
/ of humanity which had inspired its form
er meetings BY the unanimous vote o
delegates. active or retired members o
= the American congress and Of every par
Lament in Europe. with two exceptions
the following resolution was adopted;
''Whereas, enlightened public opinion
and modern civilization alike demand tina
differences between nations should b
| adiudicated and settled in the same man
} ner as disputes between individuals ar
adjudicated namely, by the arbitramer
of courts in accordance with recognize
principles Of law, this conference n
quests the several governments of n
world to send delegates TO an interni
tional conference. to be held at tin
and place to be agreed upon by then
for the purpose Of considering;
Il. The questions for the consideratio
! of which the conference at The Hagu
\ expressed a wish that future confer
ence be called.
"2 The negotiation Of arbitration tres
ties between the nations represented q
= the conference to be convened.
"3. The advisability of establishing a
international congress to convene period
ically for the discussion of internationi
. questions.
Z And this conference respectfully an
70 cordially requests the president of III
a United States to invite all the nations
Il send representatives, to such confel
It ence."
e on the oath OF September. ultimo. thes
10 resolutions were presented to the pres
! dent by a numerous deputation OF n
> Interparliamentary Union. The presidei
:, accepted the charge offered TO him. fee
II ing it to be most appropriate that II
ii executive Of the nation which had we
10 coined the conference to fits hospitalii
ID should give voice to its impressive ute
r. ances in cause which the American go'
Dc ernment and people hold dear lie al
90 nounced that he would at an early da
i, invite the other nations parties to q
Hague conventions, to reassemble, Wi
a view to pushing forward toward con
le pletion the work already begun at NJ
C. Hague. by considering the question
Of which the first conference had left nj
e. settled with the express provision tn
s.. there should be n second conference.
IN In accepting the trust, the preside
q. was not unmindful of the fact, so vi
~ idlv brought home to all the world. tn
Of a great war is now i'm progress. He T
Of called the circumstance that at the Tin
a when. on August "a 1898. his majesty. q
s. emperor Of Russia, sent forth his inN
A, tation to the nations to meet I'm the /
e. terests of peace. the United States al
Spain had merely halted, in their stru
gle to devise terms of peace.
% The president directs that you W
"a bring the foregoing considerations TO q
attention Of the minister of foreign o
fair of the government to which you a
accredited. and in discreet conferen
with him, ascertain TO what extent tn
government is disposed to act in the ma
ter.