New-York tribune., 1904-10-17
THE HAGUE CONFERENCE.
4 Great Chance for Ame'7can
Leadership.
The Hague. October I


work Of the first one is discussed with keen IN
telligence az The Hague. Cynicish there may
have been when the Car proposed disarmament
and everybody knew that basis for il could mol
ue arranged but now there IS optimism OF
genial quality whenever there are fresh plans Tor
promoting the ends Of civilization by interna-
fional conferences. Now that there is a perIna-
nent administrative council. made up from the
embassies the faith Of diplcmatists in the moral
order OF the world is strong and at times almost
ereduious. The Car planted seed on stony soii
and it sprang up and took root; and II the Amer
scan President has decided 10 water the ground
1or a new crop Of humane policies, the diplomatic
CORPS viii profit by the increased interest II
practical measures for minimizing the eVlls OF
war. Everything seems possible when optllnlsts
are cheek by jowl at The Hague. and even the
millennium is not so far away as II appears IN
ordinary capitals. The prospect OF e new con-
ference IS welcomed. and there is general oeler
~ the diplomatic circle that one will be held
For one thing. there Is an abundance OF work for
II; and. secondly. the Americans are in the habit
OF succeeding with their undertakings, because
they value results more than prestige It is con-
hdently assumed that President Roosevelt will
not summon the congress until he has ascer-
tanned BY diplomatic means whether the leading
powers are likely to offer strenuous objections
What the most intelligent men in the diplomatic
circle are now saying is that it will be exceed
ingly difficult for any government TO decline the
invitation 10 the congress IL one comes from
Washington
There will be several reasons for reluctance
70 respond to the call The cause OF arbitration
and rational peace has gained ground steadily
since the first congress at The Hague. TWO
costly wars involving terrible sacrifice Of life.
have impaired a powerful impetus TO II Three
Ta.seF- rata 4
the wiser and more satisfactory way OF settling
differences among natiors There is in all coun-
tries q growing sentiment among the educated
and influential classes in favor OF the main
renanoe Of peace by rational means and prac-
tieal agencies Governments may continue to
regard disarmament visionary. but they DO
not consider II either wise or safe TO offer re-
sistanoe 80 a movement like arbitration. which
has strong moral support and has the force Of
conscience behind il. Any government declining
TO enter a second congress at The Hague would
ind II an awkward matter TO justify its course.
and especially would this be true II the invita-
tion came from so pacific and progressive a
country as America The truth is known at
The Hague that the moral influence OF the
United States in the world and its resources
for doing a great work for civilization were
never greater than at present. The President
mas q unique reputation IN Europe the rep
resentative American OF the day, and he has
behind him Secretary Hay. who IS regarded at
The Hague as the most brilliant and high minded
diplomatist OF the world. An invitation from
Washington 10 another peace conference would
have an exceptional dignity and representative
character. No European government would like
TO assume the responsibility OF refusing TO send
delegates 10 it and OF offering resistance TO an
enlightened movement for promoting the inter
ssts Of peace.
The subjects which viii naturally come before
another Peace Conference are readily reached
by what medical men call process OF exclusion.
Disarmament is shut out at once as imprac-
ticabie. Amendments 10 arbitration procedure
are also regarded as unnecessary and premature
by diplomatists here. and any attempt 10 make
it compulsory would be condemned III ad-
yised. There is general agreement among the
closest observers here that the permanent tri-
bunaI ought not y be touched at present, but
should be allowed 70 remain IN operation with
out mobilization. AS measures for abolishing or
preventing var have been carried as far is
practicable IN existing conditions. another con-
gress is not needed for the purpose Of multiply
ing or enforcing them. The real ground Of
operations for a peace conference will be found.
according 10 the best experts, IN measures for
defining contraband Of war, protecting neutral
commerce and private property at sea and limit
ing naval warfare 20 conflicts between vessels OF
= war. A revival OF the American proposal for ex-
empting private property from seizure con-
lscation is naturally anticipated by those who
recall the proceedings Of the first Peace Con
/. gTess. and concurrent action respecting contra
hand of war win be the necessary coroIary 70 It
When the American doctrine was set aside By
the mos. influential powers il was urged that
neutral commerce was safe under the Declara-
don of Paris. and that nations with powerful
nayiss could not azGOrd 20 cripple themselves by
putting limitations upon beligerent rights
Light has been thrown upon both these PROPOSE
f1ons BY actual experience during the war II
= .kanchuria The protectorare Of the neutral fas
over commerce has been evaded by arbitrary
classihcatons Of contraband, by proceedings o.
prize courts almost as irresponsible as the raidi
of priVateeTs once were. and by abuses Of tn,
night OF search thousands OF miles from th,
actual theatre OF hostilities. Neutral goods hay,
not been safe. and shippers and merchants hav,
been forced to pay exorbitant premiums TO III.
underwriters: and, while commerce has beer
needlessly and wantonly disturbed. the bellig,
srents themselves have not benefited by the ex.
sTcise of what described as inalIenable and
necessary rights Of attack
The necessity for larger measures Cor the pro.
lection Of neutral commerce and for uniform
practice IN prize courts and an authoritative
defnition Of contraband IS enforced by experi.
enee in the present war. The argument is
strengthened as soon as the contingency OF q
naval war between two strong maritime powers
n Europe is considered. II there were war be-