Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-08
THE CLOSING SESSION
Thirteenth Annual Meeting
Of Peace Congress.
\ NOTABLE INCIDENT
DELEGATES FROM RUSSIA AND
JAPAN CLASP HANDS.
Resolutions Proposing an Inquiry Into
the Status of the Congo Free
State Situation.

peace congress assembled today for the
closing session of it's thirteenth annual
meeting. President Paine, saying that repre-
sentativeS of all the great nations had been
given an opportunity to respond, introduced
Jiro Abratani of Tokyo, to speak for Japan.
Mr.. Abratani, In the course of his remarks,
said he was willing to admit that militar-
ism was on the increase in Japan, but, he
declared, there was good ground for expec-
tation that when the present conditions
were brought to an end peace would be the
moving spirit of the nation
DR.. John Chirug, delegate for Russia,
asked for a moment to correct a statement
made yesterday by John Burrows of Eng
land, and this was granted AS DR.. Chirug
passed to the platform, where Mr.. Abrat-
ami was sitting, woman delegate arose and
said:
"Dr. Chirug. it would gladden. my heart
TO see you shake hands with Mr.. Abratani
Russia and Japan in friendly clasp
Il should be most happy" the Russian
answered, as he moved toward the Japanese
and warmly seized his hand, saying: Il am
glad to greet fellow man"
Resolutions for Congo Inquiry.
When DR.. Chirug had concluded his state
ment the committee on questions of the
day reported resolutions in favor of an In
vesigation into the present government of
the Congo Free State.
The resolutions embodied three questions
which they declared should be referred eth
er TO renewed conference of the powers
concerned in the formation of the Congo
Free State or to The Hague court of arbi-
tration. ~
The questions follow:
~. is the government of the Congo Free
state still to be regarded as the trustee of
the powers which recognize the flag of the
international association?
:. is the Belgian government to be regard
ed as responsible for the actions of the gov
ernment of the Congo Free State?
D. In either of these events what is the
position of the Congo Free State in interna-
tlonal law, and in what manner NAV the
grave questions concerning It's alleged ac-
tlons be satisfactorily and competently de-
termined oe
Belgium Not to Blame.
DR.. G. B. Clarke of England declared tba,
The second question IN the resolutions should
be stricken from the report since it was
well understood that the nation of Bel
gium was in no way to blame for Congo
conditions 1t was well known too. he
said' that King Leopold was absolutely un-
controlled by his ministers. The speaker
held that the proper solution of the prob
lem was TO be found in joint action by the
powers who had agreed to recognize King
Leopolds authority over the Congo
The congress was alert with interest when
Henri La Fontaine of the Belgian senate
arose to speak to the question. Il am a
socialist and a republican," the senator be-
gan, and l don't care for King Leopold,
but l wish to point out that all the govern
ments of the world which have colonies are
the trustees of those colonies before the
world.
If you are going to inquire into the
Congo state government 1 claim it is only
fair and just that you should investigate
every other case where colonistic relations
prevail"
Seizures From Indians.
The speaker referred to the seizure by
America of land from the Indians as an in
stance not wholly free from circumstances
demanding inquiry. Senator La Fontaine's S
views were warmly applauded.
The reporting committee agreed to strike
out reference to the Belgian governments
responsibility, and the report amended
then adopted unanimously.
Resolutions were adopted rejoicing in the
international treaties.
NM j. Prudhommeaux of Mines France
presented a report of a special committee
which had made a study of the economic
causes of war. The report declared that if
the economic causes of war were removed
then war would not exist, and that the fun
damental feature of the causes was the
class and commercial antagonism between
the peoples. 1t was recommended that a
study be made of all socialistic trades
unions and trust movements.
Resolutions were offered that the entire
subject be referred to the Berne bureau for
further study. The report and resolutions
were accepted by unanimous vote.
Expressed Hearty Sympathy.
H1NSDALE, ILL.,, October S.-The thr-
teenth annual conference of the Illinois
Unitarian and other Independent churches,
In session here, has adopted a resolution
declaring hearty sympathy with the peace
movement as represented by the meetings
in Boston this week, and especially advo-
eating the proposed international peace
congress.