The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-31
.s .T7 .------ -77-7-- HAY SENDS
 OUT NOTE Proposes a Hague Con-
 ference. CALL WAS PREDICATED Wants Better Understanding
 as to Neutrals. Letter Addressed to secretaries of For eign Affairs, Resultant of Roose- veIcs Promise to Interpar-
 liamentary Union.

note Secretary Hay has carried out the Presidents instructions relative to proposing a second Hague conference.
 The note not only contemplates the reassembling of The Hague conference for the consideration of the questions specifically mentioned by the original conference as demanding further att tention. such as the rights and duties of neutrals: the inviolability of pri- vate property in naval warfare and the bombardment of ports by naval force, but goes further by principally en- dorsing the project of general sys- tenn of arbitration Streaties and the establishment of an international con- gress to meet periodically in the inter- ests of peace.
 The issue of the call while the pres ent war is in progress Is justified by the fact that the first Hague confer- ence was called before our treaty of peace with Spain was concluded. The text of the note follows:
 Department of State, Washington, D.
 C., October 21. 1904.
 (To the representatives of the Uni ted States accorded to the govern ments signatory to the acts of The Hague conference 1892
 "sir:-The peace conference which d6BGHulGd dt Abb lhub NC pti @'AoS NSf fsss marked an epoch in the history of nations. Called by his majesty. the Emperor of Russia to discuss the problems of maintenance of the gen- eral peace, the regulation of the oper- ations of war and the lessening Of the burdens which preparedness for event. ual war entails upon modern people. it's labors resolved in the acceptance by the signatory powers of conven. tions for the peaceful adjustment of international difficulties by arbitra- ton and for certain humane amend ments to the laws and customs of war by land and sea
 A great work was thus accom- plished by the conference while other phases of the general subject were left to discussion bytanother confer ence in the near future. such as ques- tions affecting the rights and duties of neutrals, the inviolability of pri- vate property in naval warfare and the bombardment of ports. towns and villages by a naval force.
 Work of Soarliamentary Union.
 Among the movements which pre- pared the minds of the governments for an accord Tn the direction of as- >sured peace among men, a high place may fittingly be given to that set on floor by the lnterparliamenthry union. From its origin in the suggestions of a member of the British House Of Commons in 1ss, 1t developed until It's membership included large num- bers of delegates from the parlia- ments of the nations. pledged to exert their influence toward tho conclusion of treaties of arbitration of nations and toward the accomplishment of peace. Its annual conferences have ably advanced the high purposes 1t 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 memorable declaration in flavor of a permanent court of arbitration was a forerunner of the most importa n achievement of the peace conference by The Hague in 1899.
 ''The annual conference of the inter- parliamentary representatives was held this year at St. Louis. It's delibera- tions were marked by the same noble devotion to the cause of peace and to the welfare of humanity which had inspired it's former meetings. By the unanimous vote of the delegation and of the parliament with two exceptions the following resolution was adopted:
 "'Whereas enlightened opinion and modern civilization alike demand that differences between nations should be adjudicated in the same manner as dis putes between individuals and adjudi- cated, namely the arbitration of courts fin accordance with recognized princi- ples 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:
 'First-The questions for the con- sideration of which the conference at The Hague expressed a wish that a future conference be called.
 Second-The negotiations of arbi- tratIon treaties between the nations represented at the conference to be convened.
 Third-The advisability of estah- fishing an international congress to convene periodically for the discussion of international questions.
 And this conference respectfully and cordially requests the President of the United States to invite all nations to send representatives to such a con ference.
 "On the 24th Of September ultfmo. these resolutions were presented to the President by a numerous deputa- tton of the inter-pa parliamentary union The President accepted the charge of- fered to him. feeling 1t to be such A proposition that the executive of the nation which had welcomed the con ference to its hospitality should give voice to its impressive utterances in a cause which the American govern ment and people hold dear. He an- nounced that he would, at an early day. invite the other nations. parties to The Hague convention. to reassem- ble with a view to pushing forward toward completion the work already begun at The Hague by consideration of the questions which the conference had left unsettled with the expressed proposition that there be a second con ference.
 Call Was PredIcated.
 Tn accepting this trust the president was not unmindful of the fact so viv idly brought home to all the world that q great war is now in progress He recalled the circumstances at the time. when on August 24. 1898, his majesty. the emperor of Russia sent forth his invitation to the nations to meet in the interest of peace, the