Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-19
SECOND PEACE PARL LEY
Russia to Ask Powers to Meet
Again at The Hague.
NICHOLAS PROMOTER
MUST HAVE BEEN ENCOUR-
AGED.
President Roosevelt Already Has Ex-
pressed the Same Desire
Leaves It to Gear.

''It seems to the President that the high
task he undertook in seeking to bring about
an agreement Of the powers to meet IN
second peace conference is virtually accom-
plished SO far as it Is appropriate for MIN
to act, and that, with the general accept
ance of his invitation in principle, the fu-
ture conduct of the affair may fifty follow
its normal channels. To this end 1t Is sug-
gested that the further and necessary IN
terchanRe of views between the signatorles
of the acts Of 1899 be effected through the
international bureau under the control OF
the permanent administrative council OF
The Hague"
These words of the late John Hay, writ
ten December 16 last as an instruction to the
representatives of the United States accreo-
tied to the governments signatory to Inc
Hague convention, embody the last ofhclal
action of this government looking to re-
convention of The Hague conference, ac-
cording to the records of the state De-
partment October q, 1904, Secretary hay,
by direction of the President, invited the
powers to a second conference, liking no
date and suggesting an exchange of views
to the subjects to be considered II was
distinctly stated that the invitation was
tentative. These exchanges soon fol-
lowed, and on December 16 Of the same
year Secretary Hay wrote: The replies SO
far received indicate that the proposition
has been received with general favor.
mo dissent has found expression.
The replies of Japan and Russia conveyed
in light terms friendly recognition of the
spirit and purposes of the invitation, bul
on the part of Russia the reply was accom-
panied by the statement that In the exist
ing 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"
Netherlands to Issue the Call.
Therefore the President turned over to
the administrative council the conduct OF
the further negotiations necessary to secure
an enunciation of the views of the respec-
tive powers to clear the way for the re-
convention of the conference. 1t Is pointed
out that in doing this the President par
-ticularly looked to the government of the
Netherlands'' to issue the call for the sec
ond conference, and 1t Is the present under-
standing that that will be done. It is as
sumed that what has happened in St.
Petersburg is that the Russian government.
which as above noted caused the postpone
ment Of the second conference on account
Of the war, Is now about to remove the
obstacle, and either has notified, or Is
about to, notify the administrative council
that it is now willing to proceed to the
second conference.
The State Department so far has not yet
been informed Of that decision but Is dis
posed to accept the ST Petersburg advices
as conclusive on that point.
Next Step to Fix the Date.
The next step in order, II the normal
course is followed, is definite accept
ance by the powers of an invitation naming
specific date for the conference, and
that will probably contain reservations by
most of the powers, with the purpose of
securing limitations of the program Of
topics to be considered, and that this will
be followed by extensive exchanges OF notes
on the subject between the powers through
the medium of the administrative council.
All Of which may naturally be expected to
consume many weeks and perhaps months,
SO that 1t is improbable that the second
conference at The Hague will meet before
the next calendar year.
Action Of the Gear.
A dispatch from st. Petersburg yesterday
says: Emperor Nicholas today again ap-
pears before the world promoter of
universal peace. No sooner is the Russo
Japanese war over. and even before the
peace treaty has been ratified, than he is-
sues invitations to a second peace confer
ence at The Hague.
1t is officially announced that "the Rus
sian government proposes to address the
foreign powers with view to the holding
Hague" but it is known that negotiati tions
preceding this announcement that the gov
ernment proposed to address the powers"
were entered into especially with the
United States, and were conducted with the
greatest secrecy, there being not the
slightest inkling that Russia contemplated
anything Of the>kind
The announcement created the greatest
surprise here, and that Russia should plan
a second conference despite the steps al
ready taken by President Roosevelt was
also heard with amazement. 1t Is clear
that the step could not be taken by Russia
without first reaching complete under
standing with President Roosevelt. The
fact that the President Is reported to be
entirely In sympathy with the proposal, and
itiator OF the first Hague conference should
belong the honor of convoktng the second,
and readily and even gladly acceded to the
Russian proposal is clear proof that the
conference has already been called and
that President Roosevelt relinQuished his
part in 1t to the emperor.
There is strong reason to believe that the
news even of the intention OF Russia would
not be given out unless invitations had al
ready been sent to the powers, and possibly
that their answers had been received.
In this connection an interesting ques-
ton arises as to how the invitation was
communicated to Japan. In view Of the lack
Of diplomatic relations. but the invitation
may be delayed until such relations have
been resumed, or 1t may have been for
warded through the United States.
1t was impossible to. learn tonight the
proposed date of the second conference or
to gain an approximate -uea regarding 1t.
but It probably will not be greatly delayed.
ence probably will submit an official pro-
gram, the other powers submitting sug-
gestions.
Leaves It to Nicholas.
OYSTER BAY, L. l.. September 49,
President Roosevelt has already expressed
his desire for a peace conference ana will
heartily indorse the czar's suggestion, but
the President believes that the czar, as the
founder OF the first conference, should take
the initiative.
Personal Mention.