Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-05
THE HAGUE CONFERENCE.
Aim Of the American Government is
Righteousness.

The first conference OF nations held
at The Hague in 1899, being unable 10
dispose Of all the business before k
recommended the consideration and set.
Element OF Il number OF important ques.
tions by another conference to be called
subsequently and at an early date
These questions were the following: CO
The rights and duties OF neutrals; "
the limitation of the armed forces on
land and sea, and OF military budgets
go the use OF new types and calibers 81
military and naval guns; 90 the inylo.
Liability of private property at sea IN
times OF war; 90 the bombardment Of
porta, cities, and villages by naval
forces. In October. 1904, at the instance
of the supplementary Union,
which. at conference held in the
United States and attended by the law
makers OF 10 different nations, had re.
iterated the demand for a second con-
ference of nations, | issued invitations
10 all the powers slgnatory to The
Hague convention to send delegates &c
such conference and suggested that
II be again held az The Hague, In its
note Of Dec. l6, 1904, the United states
government communicated to the rep
resentatives Of foreign governments ts
belief that the conference could be best
arranged under the provisions of the
present Hague treaty.
From all the powers acceptance was
received, coupled IN some cases with
the condition that we should wait unul
the end Of the war then waging between
Russia and Japan. The emperor Of
Russia, Immediately after the treaty o.
peace wlNch SO happily terminated this
war, in a note presented to the presl-
:
Rosem took the initiative In recon-
mending that the conference be now
called. The United States government
In response expressed its cordial ac-
quiescence and stated that 1t would ~
a matter OF course, take part in me
new conference and endeavor to further
It's aims. We assume that all civil
lied governments will support ma
movement, and that the. conference "
now an assured fact. This government
will do everything in its power TO Sc
cure the success Of the conference 10
the end that substantial progress may
be made I'm the cause of lnternationas
peace, justice, and good will.
This renders II proper at TINS
time 10 say something az to the
general attitude Of this govern
ment toward peace. More and NOR
war is coming 10 ne looheu uPN'
M in itself a lamentable and eyil
thing. wanton or useless war, or
war Of mere aggression--in short any
war begun or carried on In a con-
scenceless spirit. Is. to be condemned
an a peculiarly atroclous crime against
all humanity, We can, however, do
nothing OF permanent value for peace
unless we keep ever clearly in mind the
ethical element which lies at the root OF
the problem. Our aim Is Righteousness.
Peace Is normally the hendmaiden q,
righteousness but when peace an
righteousness conflict then great AMI
upright people can never for a momen
hesitate to follow the path which lead'
toward righteousness, even though Ina.
path also leads TO war. There are per
sons who advocate peace at any price
there are others who following tals'
analogy, think that because 1t Is no
longer necessary in civilized countries
FOR individuals TO protect their rights
with n strong hand 1t is therefore IN
necessary for nations TO be ready 10
defend their rights, These persons
would do irreparable harm to any ma