Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-12-28
SENDS NOTE TO POWERS.
Mr.. Hay Issues Statement Re-
garding Proposed Peace
Conference.
AMERICA DOES ENOUGH.
Wants Further Interchange of Views
Made Through International Coun-
Gil at The Hague.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 23.-That the
further interchange of views preparatory
to the formulating of programme for
another peace conference at The Hague
be effected through the international bu-
reau, under the control of the permanent
administrative council of The Hague, is
the suggestion offered by Secretary Hay
in a second circular note to the powers
made public today. The note was dis
patched a week ago, but publication was
withheld until it had reached the various
American embassies and legations abroad.
President Does All He Can.
The secretary summarizes the replies
Of all the powers to his note of October
q, and expresses the qualification of the
President at the cordial reception Of his
invitation. Having taking this initial
step, however, the secretary says, the
President feels as if he had gone as far
appropriately he can and that with the
general acceptance Of his invitation in
principle, 1.-The future conduct of the af-
fair may fttingly follow its normal chan
nels.''
Regarding the conditional acceptance
of Russia Secretary Hay says that while
the postponement which this reply neces-
states is to be regretted, this govern
ment recognizes the weight of the notice
which induced it.
Text of the Note.
The text of the note follows:
Department Of State, Washington, D. c.,
December Is, 1904
TO the representative of the United
States accredited to the governments sig
natory to the acts Of The Hague conference
1890:
Sir: By the circular instruction dated
October u, 1904, the representatives of the
United States accredited to the several gov
ernments which took part in the peace con-
ference held at The Hague in 1899, and
which Joined in signing the act thereof,
were instructed to bring to the notice of
those governments certain resolutions adopt
ed by the Interparliamentary Union at its
annual conference, held at st. Louis in Sep
TENDER last, advocating the assembling Of a
second peace conference to continue the
work OF the first, and We're directed to as
certain to what extent those governments
were disposed to act in the matter.
Favorably Received
The replies so far received indicate that
the proposition has been received with gen
eral favor No dissent has found expires
sion. The governments of Austria Hungary,
Ren3mdrR France GermanY Great Britain
Fortugar Roumania, Spain. Sweden and
Norway, and Switzerland exhibit sympath
with the purposes of the proposal, and gen
orally accept 1t in principle, with Il reserYa-
ton in most cases of future consideration
of the date of conference and the pro-
sfamMe OF subjects for discussion.
Present War Delays Conference.
The replies Of Japan and Russia con-
veyed In like terms Il friendly recognition
of the spirit and purposes of the Invita-
ton, but on the part of Russia the reply
was accompanied by the statement that in
the existing condition of things in the far
east, 1t would not be practicable for the
imperial government, at this moment to
take part in such a conference While this
delay, tending as it does to cause some
postponement of the proposed second con-
ference. is deeply regretted the weight of
the motive which induces it is recognized
ers. Japan made the reservation only that
no action should be taken by the confer
ence relative to the present war.
Conference Is Assured.
Although the prospect of an early con-
vocation of an august assembly of repre-
sentatives of the nations in the interest Of
peace and harmony among them is desired
for the time being, it may be regarded
as assured soon the interested powers
place Of meeting and to join il the formula
ton of a general plan. The President Is
much gratifed at the cordial reception Of
his overtures. He feels that in eliciting
the common sentiment OF the various gov
ernments in favor OF the principle involved
and of the objects soug-. to be attained q
notable step has been taken toward
eventual success.
Plan Scope of Work.
Pending a definite agreement for meeting
when circumstances shall permit, it seems
desirable that q comparison of views should
be had among the participants as to tho
scope and matter OF the subjects to be
brought before the second conference. The
invitation put forth BY the government of