The San Francisco call., 1904-10-31
Formal Note Sent to the
Nations Of the World to
Ascertain to What Extent
They Will Act in Matter
NO DATE FIXED
FOR THE SESSION
Invitation Practically an
Endorsement of a System
of Arbitration Treaties
and Further Conferences

N-
WASHINGTON, Oct 30.-In a circu-
lar note Secretary Hay has carried out
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 con-
ference as, demanding further attention,
such as the rights and duties of neu-
trails, the inviolability Of private prop
erty IN naval warfare and the bonn
bardment of ports by naval force, but
goes further by practically indorsing
the project of a general system of ar
bitration treaties and the establishment
OF an international congress to meet
periodically in the interests of peace.
The issuance of the call while the pres
ent 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 follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHING
TON, d. c., Oct 81. 1904-To the Representa-
Governments Signatories the Acts The
Hague Conference, 1904-Sirs: The peace
May Is. 1899. marked an epoch in the history
OF nations. Called by his Majesty the Emper-
or OF Russia to discuss 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
entails upon modern peoples its labors
resulted in the acceptance by the signatory
powers OF the convention for the peaceful adj
Justment of international differences by arbi-
tratlon and for certain humane amendments
to the laws and customs OF war by land and
sea- A great work was thus accomplished by
eral subject were left to be discussed by
other conference in the future, such as,
guesu9ns Affecting the rights and duties Of
neutrais, the inviolability OF private property
IN naval warfare and the bombardment of
ports, towns and villages by naval force.
Among the movements which prepared the
minds OF Governments for accord in the
direction Of assured peace among men, a high
place may 1httingly be given to that set on
Ioot by the Interpafliamentary Union From
its origin in the suggestions OF a member of
the British House of Commons, in 1855. it de-
Veloped until its membership included large
numbers Of delegates from the Pariaments Of
the principal nations, pledged to exert their
influence toward the conclusion of treaties of
arbitration between nations and toward the
accomplishment of peace. Its annual confer
ences have notably advanced the high. purpcJes
II sought to realize. Not only have many in
ternational treaties of arbitration been con-
cluded, but, in the conference held in Holland
in 1884. the memorable declaration in. favor of
permanent court OF arbitration WAS q fore
runner of the most important achievement of
the peace conference of The Hague in 1899
IMPETUS TO MOVEMENT.
The annual conference Of the Interparlia-,
Louis, in appropriate connection with the
Worlds Fair. Its deliberations We're marked
by the same noble devotion to the cause OF
peace and to the welfare OF humanity which
had inspired its former meetings. BY the
unanimous vote of the delegates, active OF re-
tired members of the American Congress and
of every Parliament in Europe with two excep-
tions, the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas Enlightened public opinion and
modern civilization alike demand
ences between nations should be adiudicated
and settled in the same manner as differences
between individuals are adjudicated namely,
by the arbitrament of courts in accordance
with recognized principles of law. this confer
world TO send delegates to an international con-
ference TO be held at time and place to be
agreed upon by them for the purpose OF con-
sidering the questions for the consideration of
which The Hague conference expressed a wish
that a future conference be called; the nego-
tiations Of arbitration treaties between the ma
tons represented at the conference to be con-
vened; the advisability of the establishment of
an international congress to convene period
fcaily for the discussion of international Ques-
tions; and the conference respectful and cor
daily requests the President of the United
States to invite all the nations to send repre-
sentatives to such conference"
On September "a ultimo these resolutions
were presented to the President by numer-
Union. The President accepted the charge Of
fered TO him, feeling it to be most appropriate
welcomed the conference to It's hospitality
should give voice TO its impressive utterances
in a cause which the American Government
and people hold dear He announced that he
would at early date invite the other ma
tions parties to The Hague convention, to re-
ward completion the work already begun at
The Hague by considering the questions which
express provision that there should be sec
ond conference.
WAR is NO HINDRANCE.
In accepting this trust the President was
not unmindful OF the fact so vividly brought
nome 70 al the world. that great war Is now
that at the time when on August "A, 1898. his
Majesty the Emperor Of Russia sent forth his
invitation to the nations TO meet in the inter-
ests 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 now contending
is in sight, the fact of an existing war is no
reason why the nations should relax the ef-
toward an adoption of rules Of conduct which
may make more remote the chances of future
In 1890 the conference of The Hague dealt
simply with the larger general problems which
confront all nations, and assumed no func-
tion OF Intervention or suggestion IN the set
tlement of the terms of peace between the
United States and Spain. 1t might be the
present time Efforts would naturally lie IN
the direction of further codihcation OF the uni-
versal ideas OF right and justice which we call
international law.
The President directs that you will bring
the foregoing considerations to the attention
Of the Minister for Foreign Affairs sof the
Government to which you are accredited and
In discreet conference with him ascertain to
what extent that Government is disposed to
act In the matter.
Should his Excellency invite suggestions as
TO the character of the questions to be brought.
before the proposed second peace conference,
you may say to him that at this time It
would seem premature to couple the tentative
invitation thus extended with a categorical
programme of subjects Of discussion. 1t is
only. by comparison OF views that general
accord can be reached as to the matters to
be considered by the new conference. It is
desirable that in the formulation of a pro-
gramme the distinction should be kept clear
between the matters which belong to the
province Of International law and those which
are conventional as between individual gov
ernments. The final act OF The Hague con-.
ference dated July 90 1890. kept this dis
tinction clearly in sight Among the broader
general questions Affecting the right and jus-
tice OF the relation Of sovereign states, which
were then relegated to future congress, We're:
The rights and duties Of neutrals; the invio-
liability Of private property In naval warfare
and the bombardment Of ports towns and VII
lages by a naval force. The other matters
mentioned In the final act take the form Of
suggestions for consideration by interested
governments.
MATTERS TO BE TAKEN UP.