The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-31
HAYS PEACE MEETING CALL.
pJGHTS or NEUTRALS CHIEF
SIBJECT or DISCUSSION.
re,t Of His Letter TO Our Diplomats
Abroad-No Intention OF Outlining
a Programme Yet-Pian I'm View to
! Hiring In the Non-siBna tory Nations.

Hiring I'm the Non-signa tory nations.
W,su,SGroN, Oct 30-The following
Il tho text of the letter recently despatched
hv secretary Hay to representatives OF
,ho United States abroad, directing them
10 call to the attention Of the governments
n which they are accredited the PROPOSE ]
If the President for n second peace con-
ference at The Hague.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1904.
TO the representatives. OF the United States
accredited TO the governments siondtory
10 the acts OF the Hague Conference,
1890
SIR The peace conferen ce which assem-
bled at The Hague on May IS, 1899, marked
an epoch in the history Of nations. Called
nv his Majesty, the Emperor OF Russia, to
Discus the problems Of the maintenance
of general peace, the regulation Of the
operations OF war and the lessening Of the
burdens which preparedness for eventual
war entails upon modern peoples, its labors
resulted in the acceptance by the signatory
Powers OF conventions for the peaceful
adjustment OF international difficulties by
arbitration, and for certain humane amend
me1lS 10 idWb diil Cubtohhe Va Woi W
land and sea. A great work was thus
accomplished by the conference, while
other phases OF the general subject were
left to discussion by another conference in
the near future, such as questions affecting
the rights and duties Of neutrals, the in
volatility Of private property in warfare
and the bombardment Of ports, towns and
villages by a naval force.
tl< rnI
the minds of Governments for an accord
In the direction Of assured peace among
men, high place may fittingly be given
10 that set on foot by the Interparliamentary
Union. From its origin in the suggestions
OF q member OF the British House Of Com
mons in 1888, it developed until'its member
ship included large numbers of delegates
from the parliaments Of the principal ma
tons. pledged to exert their influence tow
ard the conclusion of treaties of arbitration
between nations and toward the accom-
plishment Of peace. It's annual confer
ences have notably advanced the high
purposes it sought to realize. Not only
have many international treaties of arbi-
tration been concluded, but In the con-
ference held in Holland in 1894 the men,
orable declaration in favor Of permanent
COuTt OF dTDlUTdClOH WAS d lOTeTuHlleT ol
the most important achievement Of the
peace conference Of The Hague in 1890,
Tie annual conference OF the Inter-
parliamentary Union was held this year at
st. Louis in appropriate connection with the
worlds fair. Its delibera tons were ma rked
BY the same noble devotion to the cause Of
pea ce and to the welfare Of huma nifty which
had inspired its former meetings. By the
60 - Iala toe ap4i
tired members of the American Congress
and of every parlia ment in Europe, with
two exceptions, the following resolution
vas adopted.
Whereas enlightened public opinion and
modern civilization alike demand that diff
ferences between nations should be adjudi
cated and settled in the same manner as
disputes between individuals are adjud-
cated--namely, by tho arbitrament OF courts
In accordance with recognized principles OF
law-this conference requests the several
Governments of the world to send delegates to
an international conference, to be held at
time and place to be agreed upon by them
for the purpose OF considering:
|. The questions for the consideration Of
which the conference at The Hague expressed
q wish that a future conference be called.
q The negotiation of arbitration treaties
between the nations represented at the con-
ference to be convened.
s. The ACCESSIBILITY Of establishing an in
ternational congress to convene periodically
for the discussion of international questions.
And this conference respectfully and cor
daily requests the President of the United
States to invite all the nations to send rep
resentatiyes to such a conference.
On the oath of September ultimo. these
resolutions were presented to the President
by numerous deputation Of the Inter-
parliamentary Union. The President &C.
certed the charge offered to him, feeling it
to be most appropriate that the Executive
of the nation which had welcomed the
conf, r, nee to its hospitality should give
VOICE to its impressive utterances in cause
which the American Government and people
hold dear. He announced that he would,
at an carly date, invite the other nations,
parties to the Hague conference, to re-
assemble with view to pushing forward
Il ward completion the work already begun
at The Hague, by considering the q'ies-
tons which the first conference had left UNI
s. tiled withthe express provision that there
should be second conference.
In accepting this trust the President was
not unmindful of the fact, 80 wildly
brought home to all the world, that great
war is now in progress. He recalled the
circumstance that at the time when, on
Aug. "a, 1893, his Majesty the Emperor OF
Russia, sent forth his invitation to 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
arnistice between the parties now con-
tending is in sight, the fact Of an existing
war is no reason why the nations should
relax the efforts they have 30 successfully
made hitherto toward the adoption Of rules
OF conduct which may make more remote
the chances OF future wars between them.
In 1899 the conference OF The Hague
dealt solely with the larger general prob
lens which confront all nations, and as
eumed no function Of intervention or sug-
gestion in the settlement OF the terms of
peace between the United States and Spain.
1t might be the same with reassembled
conference at the present time Its efforts
would naturally lie in the direction Of fur
Their codifcation Of the universal ideas Of
right ana justice which we call international
law. it's mission would he To rive them