Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-28
Another Haoue Conference.

anu JdpliI 10 0OCI Oh q lOi pt'A1c'
and so it is not surprising that the Car
has issued a call for u second peace
Of the nations of the world
at The Hague. On the other hand. it
does occasion much surprise that the
ruler who issued the call for the first
conference and who promptly followed
the adjournment Of that conference by
leading his nation into one of the
bloodiest wars of history, should again
dare to stand out as the champion of
peace. His attitude awakcns suspi-
cion, and at the best must be termed q
mystery.
About a year ago our department OF
state addressed q circular note TO the
powers, inviting them, in the name Oh
President Roosevelt to reassembIe III
conference at The Hague for the pur-
nose of completing, or continuing, the
bcncficent work of the first conference.
convened at the instance of the En-
Deror of Russia, whose universal
n.9ce" rescript of 1898 was one Of he
most notable evants Of that memorable
wear. President Roosevelt, III issuing
the invitations, complied with an urg-
eiIt request of the interparliamentary
congress, which believed that the time
for another Hague conference had
come ana that the President Of the
United States WAS the man for the
initiative ana the opportunity. The re-
plies were generally favorable, but
Russia accepted the invitation Fin
principle" only, taking the position that
til after the end of The war in The far
Last. Now that the war is over the
Car is simply seconding the call issued
by President Roosevelt. year ago.
1t cannot De forgotten that Emperor
Nicholas was the originator Of the first
great international peace conference.
which was attended by delegates from
tWenty-six powers. III his call, if one
may SO term it, the ear said that his
view was toward concerted action on
three points: For the maintenance of
a general peace; for the amclioration Of
the hardships of war. and 10 s'"ure, Il
possible, 4 reduction Of the military
and naval IrInamcnts Of the world. His
/, a',.lricn nf IL
ity" ana Of universal peace" was nota-
Bile and carried a certain degree If con-
viction Of sincerity with it.
The response by the nations invited
was spontaneous, japan being almost
the first to nominate delegates. The
conference assembled May IS, 1899. at a
time when America was engaged in its
bittereSt conflict in the Philippines:
when the government was letting con-
tracts for six new cruisers and show
ing its teeth at Mexico i'll the Plus fund
affair. In Venezuela a blockade cH-
listed and it looked as though England
and Germany would land troops ut any
moment. England had already heard
muttcrings Of the war that was to break
out in the TranSvaal aud the Orange
Free state the following October. The
world in fact, was IN turmoil and not
the least of these indications of i'm
pending bloodshcd was the preparatins
being made by Japan for its war with
Russia, and which were not disclosed
in their full significance until Severa!
years later.
After tn" adopting of the Internal
differences. drawn up and signed IL
The Hague conference July %. 1899
America England. Germany and Ven
czucll. although the latter was not q
Signatory to the agreement. took advan-
| t"ge of The Hague court of arbitration.
England haze 50 far committed itself Ia
war III South Africa that it would
have been practically impossible tO
submit it's differences in thai direction
10 tnt court. Even l1ulgdfH, Molllt-
negro and other Of the buffer" states
settled their troubles with the under
standing that if the argument became
promising of war it would be submitted
to The Hague.
OF the greatest signatories to The
Hague conference Russia and Japan
We're the first to break the compact.
Japan had already aired its grievances
which resulted in Russia promising to
recede from Manchuria RuSsia'S brok-
on promise brought on the war that has
Just been ended with such terrible loss
of life and destruction Of property on
both sides. Thus in the light of recent
history it is not at all surprising that
suspicion should greet the cars second
call for a peace conference.
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